...in all things love

Saturday, July 21, 2012

FIRSTS

Mason has changed SO much in the last two weeks. He got his first haircut, he started crawling, he popped out two teeth, and he has now been out of the Country. I'm so proud of my little boy!

Our Reunion was just after the 4th of July. We had a wonderful time together playing games, going to the pool, having devotionals, eating, and talking. We had planned to camp on my Dad's property in Scofield, but since there had been a fire there that same week and the roads were blocked off, we were left with plan B. Angie and Jen were champs for being so flexible. I love my family, and it was so good to be together with all of them!

Three boy cousins...soon to be 7 boy cousins :)

can you count them? There are around 50! And yes, my Mom remembers all of their names :)

Grandma Andersen holding Mason

Daddy's boy

Independence Day 2012

Nate hanging out with cousins Nate and Jake

children's parade

Independence Day program

our flag in Posterity Park

the pavillion

slip n' slide

4th of July cheesecake

mini cheesecakes

Uncle Ryan teaching Mason how to walk

Mason loving the cot (?)

a shock!

One Thursday morning at the end of June, Nate called me about thirty minutes after he had left to go to work, to tell me that he had some good news and some bad news. Anticipation and a bit of fear caught my throat. "What"? I said. "I was laid off of my work this morning" he said. My heart sank. "But" he said, "I have three months severance pay". Even though the shock of hearing this news was hard for me, I was lifted by hearing the tepid optimism and hope in his voice. Even though I knew he wasn't excited to hear that he had lost his job, I knew he was relieved and grateful that he had given it his all while he was there. Later we found out that Goldman's stocks had halved in its second quarter, leaving them the option of having to lay off some of their newer workers to cut costs. I'm grateful though that we are not stressed about money since we are out of debt, have a little money saved up, food storage :), and have been paying our tithing. In times of crisis, it is so good to feel that things will be okay, that we have been prepared for this time, that we have incredibly supportive family and friends, and that this gives us a chance to reflect on all of our blessings. Nate is looking for a new job and taking another look at the future. Does this justify my hopes for a new President in November? Yes it does :). Nate says that he's doing his part to help the Romney campaign right now, by being unemployed.

Although leaving our lovely apartment and wonderful ward and frends in Salt Lake was difficult for both of us, we are grateful forever, for that wonderful chapter of our lives that we had together. That is where we began our lives. Now we have a chance to build on that. We are grateful to be living now in my parent's 'big' apartment. Mason is grateful that he gets his own room, and doesn't have to sleep in the dining room anymore :). I hope we can stay in touch with some of our dear friends there. We will always cherish those memories that we had in the Avenues.

one of my sweet memories there

My wonderful parents and brother came with their truck and van to help us move

Mason had to say goodbye to his cute friend Kensington

exhausted after moving our stuff all day :)

Monday, June 18, 2012

1st Father's Day!

When I married Nate, I was in love with him. Watching him be a Daddy, however, has taken that love to a whole new level. Being a Dad I'm sure isn't always a piece of cake. He has had to be patient in sharing some of my attention, being patient through Mason's crying at times, and feel an extra burden of providing and caring for his family. He does it though, because he has a big heart...and that's a big reason why I married him.
I love it when Nate gives Mason a kiss good bye in the morning when he goes to work. I love it when Nate gives him a bath, or changes his diaper, or takes him on a walk. I love it when he holds him and smiles. I love it how Nate is able to make him laugh by being silly. I love the songs he comes up with..like "bum, bum, stinky stinky bum, stinky bum". I love it when he wrestles with him. I love it when Nate talks to him like a grown up...and has Daddy/son talks....and excuses me until they are done....because what they are talking about (like girls Mason has a crush on) is personal. I love it when Mason lights up when he sees his Daddy walk through the door after a long day at work. I love it when Nate talks about how cute his little boy is. I love it when Nate reads to him or prays with him. Nate is a sweet Daddy. It is in his nature. However I also owe a lot to his sweet Daddy, for being in ideal Daddy to Nate.
I also can't help but love my own Dad more and more every day and feel so grateful for his unique gifts and talents. I loved going with my Dad wherever he went and asking him any question in the world. I loved feeling so special when I was around him. I am my daddy's girl, no doubt about it. So to Nate, his Daddy, my Daddy, and all the daddys around the world...Happy Father's Day!