Pete's Post

For those of you who dont know, my sister's husband, Pete, played a very nasty joke on all of us a few months back and almost died. Luckily, not only is he still with us, but he has made an almost full recovery. We have all seen the changes in him after his experience, the deeper love for his wife and kids and all the people around him. It has been refreshing to see this softer side of him again, even if it has taken some getting used to. Sorry Pete, you had gotten a little rough around the edges over the years. :) Anyways, he recently made a post on his blog called, The Spiritual Me. I thought it was a great post and wanted to share it with anyone that may be interested. I don't know that I want to go into a big long post about my thoughts on the balance of religion and spirituality, but I really enjoyed this insight into his thoughts as they are things that I reflect on regularly. It is nice to know that I'm not the only one. Maybe one of these days, I will have the time to blog a little more about my own thoughts on the issue.

Our New Adventure

I am excited to OFFICIALLY be able to say that Troy will be taking a job and moving our family back to ....

An opportunity at his previous employer presented itself to us and we decided to take the leap. We are both very excited and very sad at the same time. I have been really anxious to move up there over the last few months, but now that it is official, the reality of it is sinking in. Obviously, I am so sad to leave my family and friends , but I am surprisingly really having a hard time leaving my job where I have spent the last 9 years. I know I will love being a stay at home mom, but I have always worked and I don't know how it will feel to just rely on Troy for everything and not make any financial contribution to our family. The idea seems so weird to me. I dont want to dwell on all of the obvious negative things about leaving Utah. Some of the things I am most excited about:

*Getting to spend more time with Troy's family so they can be close to our kids and vice versa (I am counting on still seeing my family alot since I know they will come to Boise often, RIGHT????)
*Being one step closer to getting my dream house in the country
*Living in a more rural/down to earth place

*Getting into a more affordable home so we can have more resources to play and do the things we enjoy
*Troy having a job that he ENJOYS so he is happier and can be home with us more
*Camping and playing!
*The chance to get to know and explore a new city and state
*Not having to work so I can focus on being a wife, mother, and having the chance to explore new hobbies that I have wanted to learn about for so long.

Utah, you have had a good 10 year run, but I am excited to take on a new adventure...Idaho, you better not let me down!

The Zoo

Two posts in two days, shocking right? Well, since Troy is out of town I figured I would post these cute pics of Stockton that I got at the zoo yesterday so he could see them. We have been to the zoo a few times this year, but I think this was the first time Stockton REALLY enjoyed seeing the animals. The last few weeks his love of animals has really taken off. His favorite books to read all involve lots of pictures of animals. He used to LOVE horses, but it seems cows are starting to pull ahead now. He has even started to MOO when he sees pictures and kissing the picture of one cow in particular. Yesterday, the giraffes were definitely his favorite to see. Here are the pics from the day:

Hangin out with one of his cute little girlfriends.

Such a handsome boy. Uncle Scott, how do you like his shirt???
I can't believe how white his hair is getting. I never imagined I would have a toe-headed baby.
He was running around with his hands in the air, just laughing and laughing.

Is it just me or does he not look exactly like Troy in this picture just with blonde hair and blue eyes?? From the look on his face, to the way he is walking, and even his style. All he needs is just a Boise St hat to wear backwards and you wouldnt be able to tell the two of them apart. :)

He loved touching the water,
but then decided splashing was much more fun.

He wasn't too excited when mom decided he was wet enough.

After we got home, he enjoyed a good game of peek a boo with me and his Auntie.

Stockton's new favorite thing

Stockton has always had a fascination with the vacuum. Anytime I vacuum it is a bigger job than it needs to be because he likes to follow me around and try to touch the light on the front of the vacuum. Well, we were recently at a store that had toy area for kids and he found a toy vacuum to entertain him the entire time we were there. He just followed me around pushing this little vacuum back and forth like he was a pro. When it was time to leave, he threw the biggest fit I have seen my precious boy throw. So, like any loving mother who can't help but want to give her child everything they want, I dropped Stockton off at home with Dad and went to find him one of these vacuums. He has been addicted ever since. At least now he is willing to share with his cousins. The first few days he would scream if either of them even touched it. Hopefully living with my sister during this time will teach him a lesson or two about sharing.