Bubba's First 4th Of July

Well Bubba, the big event this week was the 4th of July. We had planned to do the Butte to Butte (5K run) and barbecue and play games with our friends; unfortunately, our friend's father passed away the night before so our plans fell through.

Helping Mommy fold the laundry.

I promise it's not lipstick, it's strawberries!

Instead we went to the ward breakfast, went to a pool party at our friend's house, came home and barbecued and watched the neighbors light off fireworks. We weren't going to let you stay up and watch the fireworks, but they were so noisy you couldn't sleep. You loved watching the fireworks, your eyes got big with excitement. There were no tears from you.

Am I cute?

Mom, I like your bed better.

We look forward to celebrating many more 4th of Julys with you! Someday, well even let you hold a sparkler.

The Library, Swimming, Blue Pool & Cousins

We have been to the library several times since you were born, but this was our first time going to story time. I wasn't sure if you would enjoy it or not, but figured we might as well try going once. You surprised me, Bubba, you absolutely loved it! You screamed with delight as we sang songs, your new favorite is "Wheels on the Bus." You loved taking in all of the other kids around you and listening to the librarian read some stories. You had a blast! We will definitely be going back.

Bubba received a package in the mail from friend Shannon's mom.

The hat and dinosaur are handmade--so sweet!

We also took you swimming for the very time. We went to the Tamarack Pool for "Baby Swim" and you were the only baby there. You absolutely loved the water! We spun in circles and you giggled with delight. We will have to take you swimming again sometime soon!

Blowing up his shark floaty.

Me and Bubba.

Daddy and Bubba.

Family photo.

We planned to hike Blue Pool on Saturday with your baby friends and Mommy's cousins- the key word in that sentence is planned. Last summer there was a fire near Blue Pool and a lot of the trail heads are still closed. When we reached what we thought was supposed to be the trail head we were greeted with a sign that said "closed" and directed us to drive back down the mountain.

Each time we tried to turn into a new area the trail either wasn't there or we were greeted with another "closed" sign. What was supposed to be a fun day turned into an incredibly frustrating ordeal. I cried. We didn't have any cell service and had no way of reaching our friends or family members, I felt we had failed them and I bawled.

Eventually we saw a car pulled off on the side of the road and we pulled up next to them. Daddy got out and spoke with the men in the vehicle. They told us that they had stopped at the ranger station and the gal at the desk told them to pull off where we had and walk across the dam and that it would tie in to the trail. Seeing that we didn't have any other ideas or solutions to our problem that is what we did.

Looking hippy and ready to hike.

On the trail.

We loaded you into the Ergo and started across the highway and dam before linking into the trail that would lead us to the Blue Pool trail head. This first trail was very much a mountain trail with lots of ups and downs. Mommy carried you during this portion of the hike, almost every person we passed said, "Good job Mama!" I think they were surprised to see a Mama out in the woods.

After hiking several miles we eventually reach the Blue Pool trail head and parking lot. I asked Daddy to go look for a Jetta (knowing that is what my cousin drives). As Daddy started walking down the line of cars he found the Jetta with a note stuck to the window for us- we were in luck, Mommy's cousins were still here!

We resumed hiking and soon ran into Mommy's cousins, they were kind enough to go get our car for us and park it in the parking lot so we didn't have to hike an additional 2-3 miles to get back to it.

Then we ran into our baby friends. Everyone was relieved to know we were okay.

We continued on our way and eventually made it to Blue Pool. The water was stunning! Bubba, you enjoyed eating cucumber and watching Daddy feed the chipmunks.

The pool.

The area around the pool was pretty crowded and Justin Bieber music could be heard- in some ways this kind of ruined the experience.

Bubba and I.

Bubba and Daddy.

I don't think we will do this hike again for quite some time, maybe next time though you will be big enough to go swim in the pool with us.

When it was all said and done we hiked 6-8 miles.

Then we headed to Bend to spend time with the family. We enjoyed eating at Bend Burgers, walking along the river and just hanging out. The time went quickly and we were sad to say goodbye. Hopefully we can see everyone again soon.

Cade, Kelsey and Bubba.

Andy and I.

Jessica, Ben, Uncle Todd, Aunt Renee and Rishel.

Jessica, me, Rischel and Aunt Renee.

Andy, Uncle Todd and Ben.

Bubba and Brittany.

Twinners!

Brittany, me and Bubba.

Photo bomb by Jessica.

The Face.

When we got home we walked down the street to say goodbye to Miss Aubri. Miss Aubri is going to be in Brazil for the next year and a half serving a mission for our church. Neither of you liked saying goodbye to each other, we will miss her a lot!

Carrots are good!

The Chickens Get A Home & Bubba's First Words

Nana and Uncle Russell came to visit for a few days, it was so good to see them! They helped us paint the chicken coop, mow the grass and weed the yard. Because of them, we were able to move the chickens out of the garage. Their timing couldn't have been better as our house was starting to smell like chickens--GROSS!

Before.

After. We still have a lot of work to do yet.

It was a big week for you too, Bubba, you started talking! I can't even believe it. What started out as baby babble turned into "Dada Dada Dada" followed by "Dad" and a "Ya". You're growing up so fast! What are we going to do with you?

Bubba & Mommy.

Socks taste good.

An Answered Prayer

Back in January, Bubba had a seizure and we spent several days in the hospital with him. Some time after his stay in the hospital, we received an explanation of benefits in the mail from the insurance company saying we should expect to receive a bill from the hospital and we were going to have to pay several thousand dollars for Bubba's visit. I remember when that piece of mail came, my heart just sank.

Then another piece of mail came saying the doctor had asked them to review everything they had done for Bubba and they were going to cover things. Well time went on and we never received a new explanation of benefits or a bill. I began to wonder how things were going to pan out. Were we going to have to pay this large sum of money to the hospital? Was the insurance going to cover it?

I decided it was time to put my mind at ease and called the hospital to see what was going on. The gal on the phone had a hard time figuring everything out on our account and sent it in for review. The next day I received the dreaded call, the worst was confirmed we were going to have to pay several thousand dollars to the hospital.

About the same time the bad news came, our financial situation changed and we lost about a third of our income. We began praying to Heavenly Father that somehow we might be able to pay this bill with our now much smaller income.

Within a few days our prayers were answered and we managed to come up with just enough money to pay the bill. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord heard and answered our prayers. God is real. He is there. He is merciful. And He will answer your prayers too, if you turn to Him.

Even More Photos From Last Week

I'm not sure how I managed to not see so many photos last week. Sleep deprivation? It has been a long time since I have slept a solid eight hours. Anyways, here are some more photos from this last week.

The Hush, Hush Series

I have been struggling to find good books to read lately. I feel at though I have read most of the good ones out there. One day while looking for some new good reads, I happened to stumble across the Hush, Hush series. I went to my local library and they had the books available for check out.

When I first started reading I felt at though I were reading Twilight all over again. Girl meets superhuman boy in science class, she shouldn't like him, but she does- you get the idea. In this case though, it's a fallen angel instead of a vampire. Similarities aside these books are SO GOOD!!! I could not stop reading! I felt at though I was reading the climax of the story the entire time! I really wish there were more books out there like this!

Bubba At 7 Months

My sweet little boy, we love you so much! Our lives simply wouldn't be complete without you! It's hard to believe it has already been seven months since you entered our lives. It's been seven months since we were promoted to Mommy and Daddy. Seven months of growth, joy, love, happiness and occasionally tears. It's hard to imagine what life would be like without you. Your toothless grin and giggles light up our lives.

At seven months old you have yet to sleep a solid eight hours, it's amazing that we can function on such little sleep. You love to smile, laugh and giggle. Bath time is something you look forward to each evening. You love splashing in your tub. You love when Daddy does video calls with you on his lunch break and you get so excited each day when he comes home from work.  You are such a good little eater, you love everything you have tried thus far with the exception of turkey and green beans- you throw those back up just about every time Mommy feeds them to you. You have figured out how to roll over, but you don't do it very often. You still like to be swaddled when you sleep at night. You love to chew on everything right now including Mommy's hair.

My hope for you little one, it that you enjoy each moment and season in life as it comes. Savor the good and learn from the struggles. Time passes far to quickly, make the most of each day and every opportunity that comes your way.

We love you so incredibly much! We hope you know it and that you never ever forget it!