Mesa Falls

This weekend was suppose to be filled with being outdoors, camping, and hiking. But, it didn't quite end up that way! We'd been planning for awhile to go camping. Todd loves camping and I'm trying to enjoy it as much as he does. So I thought it'd be a great way to start our summer. We invited Todd's brother, Troy, to join us too. Well, Mother Nature had a plan of her own. The past week and half the weather here has been on and off. Last weekend we had a snow storm. Then it warmed up a bit just to tease us enough leaving the rest of the week cold and wet.

We finally decided that since we couldn't go camping we'd try and go on a hike somewhere Saturday. We've lived here for 2 1/2 years and have heard lots about Mesa Falls, but have never been. So we thought we'd give it a try. I was told there's a little trail you can hike around the falls. We thought it'd be a nice little place to go that wasn't too far away. Well, Saturday came....and it rained ALL day. So we spent it down in Idaho Falls shopping for our Memorial Day festivities!

Sunday finally caught a break and had some decent weather. So after church we packed ourselves in the car and headed up to Mesa Falls. It was so pretty! The drive getting there was worth it alone. I know I haven't enjoyed being in Idaho all that much. Mainly because of winters. But when we have the opportunity to live so close to so many beautiful creations it's sometimes worth the long cold winters! While we were at the falls yesterday, I had some time to just sit and look at everything. To me it's sites like that, that testify of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It was so pretty and peaceful to me there's no denying that we have a Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful to have the chance to live here. To live where it's not over populated, there's not constant traffic and noise, we have beautiful scenery rather than highways and tall buildings. To live where we can just enjoy our time and not be in rush. Which is funny to me cause those are all the things I miss about living in the city:)

Enjoying our view


The Upper Falls










The Boys. Can ya tell they're related!?!


The Lower Falls

Anyway...We really enjoyed our day yesterday and had a great time being able to spend it together. Todd already has plans to make it back up there to go camping!

9 Months

Every month I'm constantly surprised with Everett. It seems like there's always something new he's learning and accomplishing. We have been loving every minute. A few weeks ago, since the weather was getting warmer, I decided to go through Everett's stuff and change out his winter for summer clothes. As I was going through his stuff there were a few things that he has slowly out grown. It was a little sad. He never really looks big, but when I put one of his old onsies on it was kinda cute seeing his little tummy stretch it out. The clothes that he can wear now make him look like a little boy. He's just growing to fast. But we're loving it.

We took him in for his 9 month check up yesterday. Besides being completely afraid of Dr. Prince, he seems to be a healthy little boy! He now weighs 16lbs. 7 oz. and is 26 1/2 inches long. Everett was pretty cute at the appointment. He did not like having Dr. Prince do anything to him. When we were done I picked him up and he immediately stopped crying. He'd look at Dr. Prince and start talking as if he was tattle telling on him. I think he might have started liking him towards the end only because Dr. Prince gave him the little flat stick he used to check inside his mouth. Everett was pretty pleased after that! Here are some of the things he's been doing this past month:

Pulls himself up to his feet.

Can stand by himself for a few seconds (this is not his favorite thing to do, but he's slowly getting better).

He's been able to clap for awhile. Most of the time he did it was when he saw us clapping, but now all we have to do is say "Yeah" and he starts clapping. He'll usually stop what he's doing and start clapping.

Started sleeping from 7:00 pm - 6:00 am.



He now has 8 teeth and is starting to learn how to use them.

Almost has a sippy cup down. He now understands how stuff comes out of it, but he still likes playing with it more. Especially when his dad joins in and starts squirting him with it!

Getting faster and faster with his crawling. He now starts to crawl/walk on his feet. He's especially fast when he's naked. He usually gets to play for a little bit when we're getting his bath ready and he loves it! He's always loved being naked, even when he was a newborn.

He recognizes more things that he wants. Anytime he sees a bottle, or food he gets excited and starts going for it.

Another month has come and gone and we couldn't imagine our time without Everett. He's such a joy and blessing to our family. Now we're ready for his next month of growing!

Blessed

There are some days that I wonder how Heavenly Father could ever entrust me with one of His children. How He has the confidence in me to be the mother that I need to be. But then I see this:

And it makes me so grateful that He does trust me and has confidence in me. I know that I've been truly blessed to be a mother. I would never change it. I have days where I feel like I'm slacking in everything I do. But then I see little things like this picture, or Todd and Everett playing, that truly gives me a warm feeling and always brings a smile to my face. And that I know is to be the comfort that I need. That despite those days, of feeling like all the odds are against me, I know Heavenly Father is with me every step of the way. It's a little smile or wide mouthed kiss that lets me know that I'm doin ok.

Caged In

Our next purchase: a gate. But for the mean time we have to improvise.

The minute we open the front door Everett usually stops what he's doing and makes a mad dash. I swear he's getting faster. He loves being outside.

He's just too cute!

Growing Up

I know I probably say this all the time, but Everett is growing up way too fast!! The past week Everett has been accomplishing something I swear everyday. His most recent one we've found evidence of it, but haven't actually caught him doing it. The other morning I noticed these markings on his crib:

I knew he had to have been pulling himself up and started gnawing on the railing. He just started pulling himself up to his feet on everything else so why not his crib. We talked about lowering his mattress, but put it off. Well, Monday morning I caught him. I woke up to him talking and playing and just laid in bed for awhile. When I went to get him he had the biggest grin on his face. Our little boy has gone from greeting us like this:

To now greeting us like this:

After I walked in he then preceded to gnawing on the crib. So needless to say the mattress has been lowered!

Mother's Day

We had such a great Mother's Day Weekend. Saturday Todd and I were able to go on a little lunch date. Our neighbors were kind enough to watch Everett for us. It was the first time we've left him with someone other than family. And I'm happy to say he did pretty well. At least we were told so! I also was able to spend that day making ice cream and just kinda relaxing.

For Mother's Day Todd went above and beyond. So much so that I don't feel as though I deserve what he got me. I honestly was not expecting it what so ever. I enjoy sewing. I wish I could do it more than I do. I've even started doing some hand embroidery. Trying to add a little touch to what I make. The sewing machine I have now is quite old. I actually found out it's probably about 50 years old. It works, but I have no clue how to change the stitches. I've figured a few out, but it's just basic stuff. Well, Todd and Everett went out and surprised me with this beauty:



I was shocked! It's an Embroidery/Sewing Machine. Never once have I asked for anything like this, but Todd felt like I deserved it. I love it and am so excited to start exploring and using it. It has so many amazing features. It threads the needle, hooks up to the computer, is touch screen. Seriously, it's awesome.

I am so grateful for being a mother. Never once have I done the things I do for something so great as a present. As much as I do love the new machine and am so excited, I do it for this:

My family. I have an amazing husband who I am grateful is my eternal companion and a sweet little boy that brightens my day each and every day. Heavenly Father has given me so much more than I ever thought I wanted. I couldn't imagine my life without either one. Well in all honesty I could, but I know that I would not have the joy and happiness that I do now. Being a mother and wife has their ups and downs, but at the end of the day everything is truly more than worth it.

I'm grateful for my own mother and the example she has been to me. For her love, compassion, and selflessness she has given to each one of her children and so many more. I hope that I can touch my children's lives the way she has touched mine. And I can only hope that as I go through trials with my kids that I can remember what she did for me and how no matter what she stood by and supported me. I'm also grateful for Todd's mom Debbie. She too is an example of selflessness. As I've heard stories and seen how she is with her kids and grand kids you can truly see the love she has for each and everyone of them. I'm grateful for the way in which she raised Todd and for the values she taught. The way he treats me and Everett is a true testimony of what she's done.