Ez is "Free"!

Ezra turned 3 on July 17th.

 Since it was right in the middle of our move, we kind of celebrated for a couple weeks. Nothing wrong with that if you ask me. James and I found a good deal on a pillowpet, so we ordered that for him for his present. It got to our house too soon. Neither of us are good at waiting, so we gave it to him early. He kept running around saying, "My birthday came! Thank you for my birthday!" He named the parrot pillow Paco/Taco (it depends on the moment which consonant he uses).

(Left picture is Ezra at the library. Right picture is Ezra's first roller skating trip. He was terrified at first, but loved it once he got onto the floor. He kept doing tricks (or trying). The first time he fell, I tripped over him and I was so scared that he was going to start screaming, but I couldn't help but laugh at how silly we looked and he just cracked up. He kept trying to trip me after that. It was such a blast! And they let us push our strollers on the floor too, so Makai had a good time. )

 (This picture cracks me up. Look closely and tell me if you can tell why. Watch out ladies.)

Then while I was at my sister-in-laws in Pocatello we had a little party for him (this was on his actual birthday). He chose a Tangled cake and his cousins all got him great gifts. He got a couple of Cars cars, a coloring book, a dinosaur and play-do (which was a total blessing to have while waiting in the airport).

(The lady was a little confused when I asked if she would change the pink writing to blue because it was for a boy. Not that he'd care what color it was considering the cake he chose. haha.)

(Here are two of his cousins, Elizabeth and Trey)

Then we had a little party for him when we reunited with daddy at Grandma Lene and Pop-pop's house. His great grandma Marie and great aunt Dale were able to join us. He got a little kiddie pool from Grandma Lene and Pop-pop (james' mom and stepdad). It's a Cars one and it has a slide and a sprinkler attached to it. He loves it!

He also got a Cars bike from Nana and Grandpa (my mom and dad). It came a couple days after the other party, so it really did feel like we were celebrating for a couple of weeks. He's riding like a pro. I tried to take the pedals off, so he could learn to balance and not need the training wheels, but he's a little too short for that. He loves to pedal and go "fast", so I guess he's happy with the training wheels.

James and I also got him a helmet to go with his new bike and a couple of piggy banks for all his "moneys". Today he told me he was going to save his "curgles" (quarters) for special candies at his house. I love when he forgets the word and just makes one up. This really is a wonderful age. (Wonderfully trying at times too, don't get me wrong, but I have fun everyday because of this silly boy.)

He is such a joy in our family. He is constantly making us laugh. He comes up with the strangest things.  He's a quirky one. The other day he felt something on the bottom of his pool and said, "hmm it's kind of something quirky." That's when I realized just how quirky he is and I love all that quirkiness to bits. He is getting so big and grown-up. It makes me so sad. It really is exciting to watch him grow and see him learn and hear all the funny things he comes up with, but I can't believe he's not a baby any more.

I love you little Ez. Happy 3rd birthday!

We Have Moved

After years of talking about it and changing our minds many times, we have finally moved out of our first home and ventured back to our roots on the east. It was stressful and sad to leave. I am so surprised we actually got all our belongings shoved into the truck.

 James, his dad and stepmom left on the 12th to drive to Maryland. (James is from Maryland). The boys and I just got here on the 21st. We stayed in an empty apartment for a couple of days and then ventured to Pocatello to stay with my sister-in-law for a week before our flight. It was a wonderful break and helped me to take my mind off of the move. We missed daddy though, so we're glad to finally be back together. We're taking over the basement in James' parents house until we can find a place (though his mom says she's never letting us leave now that she got us here :), so now I'm busy unpacking and reorganizing and trying to help the kids adjust to a new home and no friends.

Makai has had a hard time sleeping and Ezra has been asking me to go home or to go visit certain friends. It makes me sad. I really miss our friends. I don't know if we'll ever have as good of friends like we had in Rexburg. I will cherish them always. 

It is great to be with family again, so that does help greatly. 

I don't know the area, nor do I have a car anymore AND it is a sauna out there! I'm from New Hampshire, so I know humidity, but oh man, this is hot. Therefore, we're hiding out in an air conditioned basement most of the day. There is still much to be done which explains my blog absence.

Also, Ezra turned 3 on the 17th, so I will post about his birthday soon.

For now, we miss you Rexburg. And hello Maryland.

The New Pool

We got a new pool in town and we were eager to try it out. It is definitely catered towards little kids, so we thought Ezra would have a blast. I should've known better. Ezra screamed and cried for the first HOUR we were there. Then something changed and he was completely different. He was running everywhere, going down the slide and even swimming in the 2.5 deep water all by himself. I was shocked. He didn't want to leave. 

(I couldn't even get him to stop for a picture. He was just on the go until we left.)

Makai loved it too, but got cold quickly since we went in the evening, so we spent a good chunk of time snuggling and getting warm.

It was a great family adventure/getaway for us. I think pools are necessary during the summer months.

Update on Mommy Blog

A Mother's Fear

Father's Day Flop

It's the thought that counts, right? Hmm... I guess not. I kind of flopped on Father's Day. I wanted it to be special, but... he had to change a poopy diaper and take care of Ezra while I taught Sunday School. That was kind of a bummer for him. And I couldn't think of anything to get him. I came up with only a few ideas, but they were either too expensive, or something he'd need to pick out himself. So... Father's Day came and I still didn't have anything, so I signed his card and stuffed some cash inside for him to get whatever he wanted with it. He opened it and just put the cash aside. He wore a disappointed look the rest of the day. I felt awful. Then to make matters worse, I overcooked dinner. He didn't complain, but I wanted to cry.

The next day I asked him if he was disappointed and he said, "Well, yeah. A little. I just wanted you to get me something. Giving me cash was like handing me the debit card."

Lesson learned... he didn't care what I got him, as long as it wasn't money. Even if the money was my hard earned babysitting money.

I love my little Jamesy poo and I really wanted him to feel so special. Soo.... today is his birthday and I have really been trying to make it a special one. He did have to work today, but I hope he at least feels loved. Of course I made sure to splash cold water on him while in the shower. That's what people in love do. What? You don't... hmm... I'll pray for you.

Oh and where have I been? Why no pics lately? We're moving. Did you know? In like a week. Across the country. I'm just a tidge busy. But not too busy to finally post this post that I wrote soon after father's day and not to busy to give a shout out to my lover boy who thoroughly drives me crazy, but still puts a smile on my face.

Happy Birthday James!

Talentless

Earlier today I was oowing and awing over some photos a friend of mine took. (Go here to oo and awe with me: http://www.ericakirbyphotography.com/.)
Well, James thoughtfully said, "Wow. You should get some talent too."
Oh gee, thanks. As if I wasn't already feeling like the only person in the world without a great talent to share with the world, my husband had to go and confirm my fear. I laughed a little. He explained that he meant I need a talent that will make us money. Didn't make me feel better. Now I'm talentless and not contributing financially. Oh bother. I love my husband. I think the things he loves most about me are the things I do that prove how talentless I am: dance like I'm five, burn everything, etc.
The only thing I was ever sort of good at was writing, but I don't write songs any more and my poems are way too embarrassing to share, so my blog is the only thing that sort of reflects my love for writing. The problem with that is... EVERYONE blogs and so many people are so great at it. And why are we so interested in other people's lives? Like strangers lives. It's a bit odd, don't you think?

I don't sew (well), paint, cook (well), take pretty pictures, dress fancy, etc...

Soo... I'm on the hunt for a talent. Wish me luck.

Swing and a Miss

We're in limbo and my back is starting to ache.
We live in a college town and yet we are both done with school.
We applied for a job on campus that we totally got our hopes up for. James seriously would be perfect for it. We convinced ourselves that we would like to stay for awhile. It seemed like most of our problems would be solved with getting this job and we have been so excited.
Welp... we got a "you're great, just not the greatest" e-mail today. He didn't even get an interview. It's so hard not to feel discouraged.
We feel trapped, but if we leave, what are we going to find on the other side?
I see so many of our friends getting great jobs. They're leaving Idaho and moving on to bigger and better things. I have friends moving all over the country for grad school or air force positions or other government training thingys and all sorts of grown-up jobs. I guess I'm just wondering when that'll be us.
I want to go back to school so badly. I have already thought of an idea for my thesis paper.
James loves his job here. It's a really great job for him and it provides for our family, but we feel like we're getting left behind when it comes to other opportunities.

How do you force yourself to fit in in a place where you just don't fit in any more? We just feel a little defeated and are (at least I am) struggling to stand up again.

Poopy Trained!

I can finally say that Ezra is poopy trained! When we started potty training, I thought it was a breeze. He caught on fast. I even said, "I don't know why parents always act like it's such a stressful thing." Then he took several steps back and refused to poop on the potty. He has been pee trained for a couple of months now, but the poop was a problem. He would poop in his underwear EVERY day. I didn't think he'd ever be completely potty trained.

 Until about two weeks ago James held him down (screaming) on the potty and the poop plopped in. It was traumatic, but he got many prizes afterwards. I may have even teared up a little because I was so proud. Ever since he hasn't had any problem. He gets excited and proud of himself and loves to say, "bye pee-pee! bye poopies!" when he flushes them away.

It's so exciting to not have to buy diapers or pull-ups any more!

And I just love that little bum in little boy underwear!

What?

 I'm a mom, we like our kids bums. It's not weird.

Here's my two cents: They'll do it when they're ready. AND it's not a race.

Congrats little Ez Man! We're proud of you.

I Love My Family

I am totally in love. I have 3 boys who feel the same about me. This thing called family is most certainly a blessing from a loving Heavenly Father.

I love my Makie Mak. He truly has a smile that brightens my world. 

(I know these pictures are blurry :( My camera is having issues including auto-focus difficulty. Not to mention I'm like the only person in the world who can't take a decent picture.)

Mix a swing with the tickles of a loving daddy and you get auto heart-melting smiles.

Mix a loving, wild daddy with an equally rambunctious 2 year old and you get joyful squeals that would put the care bears out of a job. (My Ezzy is seriously too fast to get a picture of these days. I'm working on it.)

I am totally in love with my family. Not everyday feels this way, so I'm savoring this moment :)

Kayleen's Fancy Homemade Garlic Bread

And James says I can't cook. Psh..

Yes, my fire alarm went off. I made homemade garlic bread seasoning and I was really excited to taste it, so I popped in a couple new slices and literally sat in front of the oven and watched them. It actually turned out to be delicious when it wasn't on fire.

I have been trying a bunch of new recipes lately and I have actually been getting "mmm's" and "this is really good!" and requests for encores. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but James has truthfully been enjoying my cooking lately. It makes it much more fun to cook when the people you're cooking for actually like the food :) Though I'm still getting used to my oven, so I obviously have some kinks to work out.