Gala pics

Great times at the Homes for Our Troops gala! We have to say, though, we missed a lot of our friends who were in the same group as us (having their homes built at the same time we are), but we were able to meet a lot of really great people, including Matt and Tracy Keil. Matt is a quadriplegic and was injured in 2007. He was shot in the neck and has limited use of his left arm. They are a great couple and had a home built for them by HFOT that was completed in September 08. I regret not getting pics with them...they were neat. :)
Anyway, since we are camera shy when it comes to asking others to take our pics, we got the usual in-the-hotel-room-before-we-leave-head-shot-of-just-us pics. Oh well. Better than nothin. :)

Oh, and I had to get my usual pic:

PS--still need help with posting pics, obviously. PLEASE!

Pics and videos...maybe

Ok....so is there some reason why it's so difficult for me to place the pictures in their proper places? I am having difficulties uploading pictures into my blog and then placing them accordingly. Any tips from anyone?? Much appreciated.

Moving on...we went to Eugene last weekend for Noah's cousin London's 3rd birthday. As you can see, it was lots of fun and Noah had a blast playing in the pool and sprinkler. That is, until poop gushed from every possible opening in his Little Swimmers and swim trunks. But that's another blog. I'll only say that yes, much of the child equipment was turning brown, which led us to start wondering...
Anyway, I was able to get lots of good pics and even some video, which I am going to attempt to post in a completely different blog, because posting it in this one could lead to disaster.
It was a fun weekend and we are headed back out this weekend for my Grams' 90th birthday extravaganza! We've ordered a stripper and everything! (Kidding)
That's all!

Travelin'

Hi ya'll! Well, it's been a busy week for me! Christian started his job this week, just 4 hours a day in the morning, but it's been a great thing. Our attitudes have been better, things are starting to flow better, and we've had more to talk about.
I went to Idaho last weekend for a friend's baby shower and had a great time! It was a little scary to get into the car with just me and Noah and know we had 5 1/2 long hours ahead of us, but he was such a good boy--thank you Jesus! I got to see all those who are dear to me, and their babes, and I got to talk a lot! I am always reminded of what great friends I have, and how they are few and far between!
This weekend we are traveling to Eugene for our neice, London's 3rd birthday. We are leaving Saturday morning. It should be a good time, and we are excited to get out of the house a little. We are actualy going to be gone for the next 3 weekends--something to look forward to!!

Umm...I wish I could post some cute pictures of my rapidly growing and changing almost-two-year old, but we've once again lost our camera. I'm happy to say that I've been taking video often, which makes me feel better.
Anyway, that's it for now. Lots of packing to do....

BUSY!

Oh my goodness, we have been BUSY!
In the last few weeks a lot has happened...I turned 27! And was greeted with a brand new purple Trek bike, which is AWESOME (although I haven't had the chance to ride it yet). Mother's day...that was special, and it was really special this year because my gaga and papa came up from Las Vegas for it. They will be here until tomorrow so my days and nights have been filled with them and what they've been up to. Everyone else is working so they've been at my mom's all by themselves, so me and Noah have been visiting :)
My work is going well...they just asked me to pick up another day or 1/2 day. I agreed to another 1/2 day, but that should be good. I like my time with Noah and the thought of someone else watching him grow while I answer phones is not appealing. But, I like the work and the people are really nice.
Christian starts a new job with The Dalles Police Department on June 2. It is part time, M-F 8-12. Perfect. I am really glad for him. He will be doing office work, and the position is only temporary, but he's hoping to get his foot in the door and show his good work ethic. Maybe this might lead to another more permanent position? That's what we're hoping!
As for our lot search, we agreed on a lot in Hood River that is .65 acres and we are waiting for it to close. It doesn't look like it will allow for an unfinished basement, but we kind of decided today that that is ok. Long story short, some lots would have to have an unfinished basement underneath them. With no mortgage, C and I were planning on saving our money and finishing out the basement. That would turn our 2100 sq. foot home into a 4200 square footer! W-O-W! More than we need, we know. But we had visions of a huge play room for Noah...the toys could be forever scattered and I woudn't have to worry about it...a pool table, etc. But then we realized that no mortgage in itself is HUGE blessing, and we are taking a step back to remember how blessed we are. Basement or no, it will be AWESOME!
So here's hoping!
I will try to post some pics of all this when I have more time!

I'm off for now :)

Snuggle video and pics

We finally got a new camera charger and I was able to take a little video of Noah snuggling with Mace. He LOVES her. And folks, she is the best dog EVER. She loves him, too, and it is so precious! I'm thankful to God for little and precious moments like the ones I was able to capture today:

PS

PS--did I mention that our camera charger is nowhere to be seen? Thus, the reason for no pictures in a looonnng time. I'm happy to announce that I ordered one from Ebay which should be arriving any time. Hopefully in time for Easter!!

Tired but happy!

Well I started work this week, on Wednesday! Boy am I tired! My first day was hard, because Noah has been sick since last Thursday and he SCREAMED when I was getting ready to leave. He wanted me to hold him and would scream when I put him down. On top of that, since he was sick, I didn't feel right taking him to daycare, so Christian was stressed because of the whole stay-at-home dad feeling he had in the pit of his stomach. So, I left for my first day with tears rolling down my cheeks and Noah's hysterical sobs ringing in my ears. I couldn't concentrate very well for the first few hours, wondering how things were going. But, work was great and the people are great so far. I feel like I'm picking things up quickly and getting settled in!
The night I got home (Wednesday) Noah was still sick and everyone was stressed out. I was tired and just getting ready to go to bed, around 10...I was getting my lunch ready and heard Noah crying. Soooo....come to check on him and console him, and he would NOT stop. He cried for two hours straight, after orajel, tylenol, and gas drops. I could tell he was in pain, and didn't like laying on his side or back. He wanted to sit up. We tried feeding him, giving him water....pretty much everything. He even fell asleep a few times but then woke up crying a few minutes later. So at midnight we decided to take him to the ER. I just knew something was wrong. He never ever cries like that. He was inconsolable. I had the sneaking suspicion he had an ear infection. He wasn't really pulling at his ears or anything, but...I just felt like that's what was wrong.
So, two hours later at 2 am, we head home with the diagnosis: ear infection. A bad one, too. So he'll be on antibiotics for the next 10 days, but he is much better. Still has a runny nose and a pretty bad cough, which I'm beginning to get, but I can tell he's not in pain. Thank the Lord! I guess you can call it mommy intuition. :)
My second day of work was great besides the fact that I only got 4 hours of sleep. It was hard when I got home last night. I fell into bed at 8pm and slept soundly. If you know me, you know I'm a 9 hour-a-night kinda gal. At least, folks. At least 9 hours. So yesterday was tough. Today I feel recovered and work went really well. I really really like the people I work with so far. I will be happy when it's just Thursdays and Fridays. I know I probably sound like a wimp to all those gals out there who are full-timers, but it's been over a year since I've worked, and I am finding that I REALLY enjoy my time with Noah, more than I was aware of! I missed him this week...a lot. But getting away is also good for me...I feel as if I'm contributing to our financial situation and it gives me a chance to miss Christian, and also to meet other women (potential friends?)
Anyway, so I'm happy with things. I am so thankful for this job. My co-worker said that a TON of people applied for this job, too. So that makes me feel good (and super grateful).
So...I'm rambling. That's the latest update.