My Reason for Life

This is at the U2 Concert. Awesome.

Time Flies

Avannie is already 5 months old. I can't believe it.

The Stork has Landed

Welcome Avannie Ure! Born June 16, 2009 at 10:53 pm. 8 pounds 2 ounces and 21.75 inches long. And she is a perfect baby!

Boston

On one of the days off that Joseph had, we went for a field trip down to Boston and took two tours of ships: "Old Ironsides", the first Navy battleship and a destroyer from WWII. This is a picture of Joseph manually cranking the big guns on the Destroyer. It looked like tough work!
The entire time through our private tour, I thought of my grandpa who served on a similar vessel in the Pacific Ocean during the war. I have a whole new appreciation for what those men and women did for our nation. Thank you Veterans.

The other ship we went on was one of the first ships that was in the US Navy, "The Constitution." It dates back to the days of George Washington. That was another incredible thing to see, but bitter cold. The wind off the bay was bone-chilling.

To finish the day off, we got lost trying to find the Boston Temple. Lost in the middle of non-Brigham Young style of square and numbered streets for several hours. We even went through the "Big Dig" of underground interstate in Boston. Finally, we found our destination. And we weren't too late to do a session. It was a perfect close to the day. The Boston Temple is one of the prettiest places I have ever been, besides the Teton Mountains.

Weather like Logan, UT

Besides not looking out my window and seeing mountains, I pretty much feel like I still live in Logan. All last week, we have beautiful sunshine and high tempertures that melted all the snow. I could actually see my front yard and even started planning where I am going to plant my tomatoes and peppers. Then, we went to bed on Sunday night and woke up to 12 inches of snow! Joseph couldn't even get out of the drive way to get to work. So he had a snow day. He hated it. So he worked from home. After lunchtime, he tried again to go to work. This time, he got out of the drive way, but now he couldn't get up the hill to the main road. And this time he is now stuck at the bottom of the hill and can't get the car back in the driveway. So I walk down and jump in to reverse while he is pushing it. We get back home and he is really upset that he can't finish his project at work. Then our great landlord/nieghbor comes over and says, "Joseph, do you need a ride to work? I can take you in my truck." So Joseph finally gets to work. And even better, our landlord went and picked him up at the end of the day! We are so blessed! Oh, and then the plows came through. They had forgotten about our little dead end road.

By the end of the day, we had 15 inches of snow! I shoveled three different times in one day. Gladly though, I love it.

Online baby shopping

Who would ever think that Craig's List could be so fun! I have never had experience with it before, but now... wow. I love it. As we have finally unpacked all our boxes, we have started to think of the next few months. So we have started our shopping of the essentials:

Yep, a hiking backpack and a bike cart that transforms into a jogging stroller. Oh brother about being essenstial. But we have found lots of fun things that can be used a bit down the road for a great price! But of course, in our finding and buyings, we have acquired an orange and blue toddler slide, a bouncy thing that hangs from a doorway, a 7 position adjustable high chair, and a tummy pouch to carry babies. Oh, did I mention that we have also found a crib? Oh, make that two cribs! We found one, bought it, brought it home and set it up. As we were setting it up, a phone call came about a different crib. As I am talking to the woman on the phone, Joseph is trying to communicate, "Does it look better than this? Better condition? What color?" All types of questions like that. So I end up telling the lady on the phone that I haven't even let my husband see it and I will call her back in a few minutes after we look it up on online. After seeing it online, Joseph likes the second one much better. So we buy that one too. So now we have two really great condition cribs and trying to sell this one below. Any takers?

LITTLE home sweet home

This is our new bed set with a quilt that I recieved from the Cache County Senior Center when leaving 2 months ago. Our room is very small. If you notice, there is no walking room on the other side of the bed. It definately creates a bit of a challenge when making the bed in the morning.











I know that the picture is a bit dark, but this is Joseph's little haven. This is the main door to our little home that leads right into the den. The couch that you see is brand new and a normal size couch. The only problem with it is the size. It could only fit through that door (still is was a VERY tight squeeze) and couldn't go in the living room where it could be with the matching loveseat. So we have a full size couch in the very small den.

Here is our living room - notice that it has two loveseats. Well, after the dilema of not getting the big couch in there, we went back to Bob's Furniture and bought another small couch so we can have a place for our friends to sit when they come. Oh, the joys of buying furniture for the first time!

And the curtains and blue pillows are all a product of a week's worth of sewing and altering Target's inexpensive curtains. Thanks to some great tips of close friend about cheap ways to give your home a bit of spice. Total amount spent: $40.00!






This is part of our dining room. Our landlord gave us permission to paint in our little home, but when he walked in after we had finished, I don't think he expected purple! It is actually "chilled wine" and Joseph even approved it when we were color searching!

Only 25 Weeks (6 months 1 week)

I still have 3 more months to go and from what I have learned, I still have most of the growing still! Where is it going to go? I have no idea. But wow, it is so fun sitting in Sunday School (paying attension to the lesson of course), poking my belly, and all of a sudden I can actually see a punch or kick responding! Joseph had a hay-day poking and watching my middle kick back. And what a wierd feeling, but incredible, to feel all day long, until I want to go to sleep of course. :)

And how do you like the new dress? Joseph thought it was nuts that I can only fit into one skirt these days. So he took me shopping! He is so much better at that than I am. I was trying on clothes for 30 minutes. And the result: 1 new dress, 1 new skirt (that is actually a swim suit cover-up that if pulled down to my hips works great!), and a new shirt to go with my new skirt. I am spoiled. Although, he just didn't see any sense in buying a pair of cute red shoes to go with the dress.... I'm working on that one... :)

5 Months Later

WOW. My life has completely turned 180 degrees in just five months. So not to bother you with a recap of the last 172 days, I will let you know the highlights:

I had the blessing of going back to work at the Cache County Senior Citizens Center and finished it off with a bang. I helped create the Wisdom Plan that I am very eager to know how it goes.

Joseph finished his last semester of college and passed all his classes AND graduated in a snow storm. (You have to love Logan.) It was really great because his dad was able to fly out for the occasion.

Not only did Joseph pass and graduate, but while trying to finish school, he flew all across North America interviewing for a future career. After several offers, we have found ourselves excited to begin a fresh start with BAE Systems (a military defence contractor) in New Hampshire. So does he work for the government or military? No, the military goes to BAE and says, "we need a new missile guidance system." And BAE whips out this awesome gadget for a submarine or plane. So now what will Joseph be doing exactly? I still don't know. All I know is that he is super excited for next Monday - first day of work.

These past few months have also given us the opportunity to serve as Presidents of the Logan Institute's Married Student Association. What a great blessing in our lives. We have been blessed with so many great friends that we already miss dearly. And wow, I have absolutely loved being apart of great program that the Church has created for additional spiritual learning.

Also, in the last few months, we have been blessed with growing tummy - that is actually me. As of today, I am 19 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Last Wednesday, we found out that we are going to be having a little girl, but I think Joseph is still hopeful for a fluke on the machine's part and that really we will have a boy. But the nurse hasn't been wrong in 27 years, so I think he will need to get used to the idea.

So if that is not enough happening... I have successfully (but with many tears) flown with a one-way ticket with Joseph as we have moved to New Hampshire. We have now been here for four days and with each day, I love it more and more. Although, I will be honest when I say, that I am excited for spring to come and melt all this snow.

We are currently living in BAE Corporate Housing until our stuff comes in a few days. While we wait, we have been shopping for furniture and things for our new little home. It is perfect! Tiny but great. And it even has the New England mark above the door - an eagle. It is great. So if you are ever in these parts of the woods, give us a holler!