Musings, Moments, and Memories.: April 2018

These past 4 months have been a whirlwind of trial and hope

In January, we had a "cousin retreat" at the ranch house with Stephen and Brian (cousins on the Neathery side) and Sam's siblings in Texas. It was fun getting together and enjoying the ranch. It was also a nice practice weekend for when Sam and I went back to the ranch in March for his "birthday retreat".

Playing a game at the game table.

It was cousin time for these cuties too!

In February we visited WACO for baby Naomi's baby blessing. Neils did a wonderful job and the spirit was certainly present. Unfortunately during the latter part of the blessing I was preoccupied with a tired Rosalie. We really enjoyed spending time with family in the house Vince and Connie rented for the weekend. Sam and I also got to go on a double date ( baby free!) thanks to Vince and Connie as well as grandma and grandpa Hazen.

In Waco there is a place called Homestead Heritage run by Mennonites. They teach classes like woodworking and weaving. (Vince took the class here to build my rocking chair)

This Ohio syrup caught me by surprise so I had to buy a bottle.

Naomi's blessing day.

For Valentines Day, since it was on a work night, we decided to celebrate at home with a romantic candle lit dinner followed by dancing in the living room. I don't think I'll ever forget watching Sam slow dance with Rosalie for the first time. My heart gets all tingly just thinking about it.

When we were dating, I made a jar of hearts with things that I liked about Sam written on them for our first Valentines day. This year, I made a bunch of hearts for him to add to the jar about things I LOVE about him. Rosalie helped me decorate. I added milky ways afterword because you have to have chocolate!

Sam left his job at Enterprise at the beginning of March, which was a trial for a while. Being able to increase my hours working PRN (from once a month to at LEAST once a week. Usually 2-3 days a week) was a huge blessing (Thank goodness for an education that allows me to make good money working part time) so we weren't really concerned with covering our bills and expenses. We just had to be more conscious of our spending. Plus we had saved a little nest egg AND our tax return came in so that really helped. I was however SUPER concerned about insurance because Rosalie needed her 6 month shots and check up. Although Sam and I both truly believed that if we remained faithful and avidly looked for work, everything would work out, I couldn't help but have a lot of inner stress. I was pretty tense for a while.

With Sam being home during the weekdays, we decided that we would make the most of our time together. We went on nature walks, picnics, visited Austin a time or two (On WEEKDAYS!) and actually stayed up late and slept in most days (thanks to Rosalie sleeping in to 8:30). It really was a special time together and lasted for about a month. Rosalie really enjoyed having so much daddy time.

Going out to lunch at Lonestar Cafe for daddy's lunch break on his last day.

Spending days in Austin with Meme and Pappy and Enzo

Rosalie loves Enzo.

Finally being able to ride the train at Zilker Park for the first time. Fresh Popsicles made it even better!

As I mentioned before, Sam had a birthday retreat at the ranch house. He invited his friends from San Antonio to spend the weekend with us at the ranch. People helped by bringing food items for meals and snacks which really helped us financially. In fact we had more snacks than I knew what to do with! The weekend was filled with board games, magic the gathering, video games, movies, and swimming in the hot tub. I was pretty busy most of the time making sure Rosalie was getting her naps and organizing/cooking meals but Sam had the BEST time! And I think everyone else did too.

Rosalie celebrated her "half birthday" on the 11th. Sam's family started doing a 6 month party when his older brother was a baby and it just kind of stuck. We bought party hats and cut them in half, and then bought cupcakes. It was a fun excuse to get family together and admire how cute Rosalie is. Cant wait until Naomi turns 6 months. haha

For Sam's actual birthday, it was pretty low key which I felt kind of bad about. But Sam said it was exactly what he wanted. I did however make a big breakfast, we went and got milkshakes at Whataburger (of course) after lunch, and then we went to Chester's for burgers (my first time) for dinner. Then Sam left to play Dungeon and Dragons with his friends while I went to mutual.

For Easter, we headed back up to the Ranch house to spend general conference weekend/Easter together as a family. I loved being able to sustain President Nelson as a prophet of God. Such a special experience. Rosalie went swimming for the first time this weekend. She and Naomi looked so cute in their matching swimsuits and sunglasses.

Stylin.

I don't think I'll ever stop loving to decorate cupcakes.

Easter Cousin Pic.

Riding Enzo. He doesn't like it.

Trying to get Naomi's attention. Rosalie absolutely adores her.

We crashed the Lometa Easter egg hunt. We tried to get Rosalie to pick this one egg up herself but she ended up having it handed to her. She played with this plastic egg all weekend.

Sam and I traveled back to San Antonio on Sunday night so Sam could teach seminary the next morning and I could get ready for the Wedding Shower I was co hosting for Maddie on Monday night. About 15 minutes after leaving the ranch house, our tire blew while we were going 70mph on the highway. We felt something hit us from underneath but we were both sure that there wasn't anything in the road (and his tire pressure light wasn't on) so we aren't sure what caused it. Luckily there were no other cars around and we safely made it to the side of the road. Sam was a little anxious but I felt oddly calm. I called our insurance for a tow and Sam called his parents to come rescue us. His parents generously let us take their car back to San Antonio while they waited for the tow truck. The next day, after driving the car from Lometa to Austin, Vince called us to inform us that he was pretty sure there was more damage than just the tire. So we got the car checked out and sure enough there was! Our insurance decided the car was totaled.

So we were now jobless, insurance-less, and now had one less car. Great... *rolling eyes*

With concerns about Sam getting a job and my working as well, we were relieved that we only had to be a one car family for a week. Huge shout out to Connie for allowing us to borrow her car for a few days. My father in law,Vince, found us a stellar deal on a salvaged car from Ebay. With our money from insurance as well as some assistance from our in laws we were able to get a Subaru Outback. The one hiccup was that car was in Ohio at the time. With some quick thinking on Vince's part, we bought some SUPER cheap one-way flight tickets from Austin to Cleveland to pick up our new car.

Due to a prompting to get new tires on my car a few days before the totaling of Sam's car, we were able to drive down to Lake Jackson in my little Ford focus to see baby Lincoln be blessed. We really enjoyed spending time with Mary's family and David's family as well as my grandparents. We ate good food thanks to Mary, and played fun Jackbox games together as a big group. Colton did a great job with his blessing too. I'm so grateful for family!

Trying to get a selfie pic with two babies is difficult.

Rosie and Lincoln

After multiple job interviews, Sam received a job offer. That same day Rosalie was granted insurance so she could finally have her "6 month" checkup. (It was a BIG week for us!) Sam was supposed to start work the very next day which happened to be the DAY before were supposed to leave for Ohio. As I tried to brace myself to make the journey with Rosalie by myself, Connie graciously offered to accompany me. We switched the names on the tickets and then left Wednesday for Cleveland. Rosalie was a gem on the 2 hr and 45 minute flight. I was a little, okay, a LOT worried she would get antsy not being able to roll around on the floor. I kept anticipating a screaming journey. But thankfully I was wrong.
When we got to Cleveland, we had the most interesting 35 minute uber ride with a woman who told us the most interesting/crazy story. Its pretty long so I wont tell it here but it involves lesbians, craigslist, the oldest recorded sperm donation, twins, and a fortune.
After listening in awe to such a random but real story, she dropped us off at our hotel that looked like something off of forensic files, but it had the best reviews in the area. What an adventure!

Such a good little traveler. She spent a good hour sleeping in her Meme's arms.

Connie is the best Meme there is!

Rosalie slept with me that first night due to waking up with tooth pain (she now has 6 teeth!)so I didn't get much sleep. I've never slept with her in my bed before and I was so worried she would roll off the bed. The next day, we picked up the car and then drove to Kirtland to get a quick picture outside the temple because we realized we were only about 10 minutes away! We drove to Dayton to spend the rest of that day and the next day with my family. I was so grateful that my mom took off work, and that my Dad got off work at noon because I actually got to spend time with them on my super short trip. I was able to see Katrina's new house and we visited Heather's flower shop. We even saw Gabrielle at work when we were getting lunch. Rosalie REALLY enjoyed her time with Granny and Papa and with her cousins. Multiple times, 5 year old Grace mentioned kidnapping Rosie which made me giggle.

Our fancy new car. We LOVE it.

Rosalies first time in Kirtland.

Carson and Rosalie <3

We went to surprise uncle Owen at work.

Rosalie loves her Granny and Papa

Visiting Katrina's new house.

These girls <3 <3 <3

Aunt Katrina and Rosalie

Twins

Gracie wanted to kidnap Rosalie so bad!

All the grandkids...so far. With Granny and Papa

Unfortunately I wasn't able to have dinner with my parents Friday night because Owen and his girlfriend were in a car accident. Luckily everyone was okay! I did however get to have dinner with Connie and Heather and her girls so that was nice! We had a little adventure of our own with Rosalie running out of diapers and peeing on Connie while we walked to the nearby Kroger. haha I also got a little twin time that night while I gave Katrina a pedicure and we chatted away as we usually do.

The next day was the beginning of our road trip to Texas. DUN DUN DUUUN! I had fretted about Rosalie due to her teething and her less than enthusiastic feelings about her car seat lately. But she was an absolute ANGEL the entire time! (Seriously, prayers were answered!!!) She slept most of the way and played with her toys quietly in the back. At one point, we did have to put on sesame street on our phones to distract her from being in the car, but that was RIGHT before our dinner break in Little Rock so it didn't last long. We made a few stops in Nashville for brunch and ice cream and then again in Little Rock for dinner at this hipster restaurant that was super tasty. We ALL slept really well at the hotel that night! Connie offered to sleep with Rosalie so I could relax. Did I mention that I love my mother-in-law?

Waiting in line for brunch in Nashville

DEFINITELY an establishment worth trying

happy baby!

This. This. This! SO YUMMY!

And we bought MUGS!

This picture makes me laugh everytime!

We wanted to go to Jeni's ice cream but we had to wait 30 minutes for it to open. So we went shopping and found the CUTEST store!

Jeni's was WELL worth the wait! It had the most unusual flavors but was Oh So Good!

Salted peanut butter with chocolate chunks. yum.

Rosalie enjoyed the waffle cone.

Baby snacks were our best friend during the trip.

Watching Sesame street for 15 minutes before we stopped in Little Rock.

The Root Cafe in Little Rock. They have a scrapbook of all the people who farm the food you are eating. It was a pretty interesting place.

The next day we made it to Texas. Home sweet home. We stopped in Waco for lunch and we got to see Neils, Kelly and Naomi in the process. Score! Then after dropping Connie off in Austin, Rosalie and I headed straight for David and Elaine's for dinner. They graciously let us join them last minute. I am seriously so grateful for them in my life. My favorite part was being reunited with Sam. My second favorite part was showing him our new car. :)

So happy to see Naomi.

Sam is liking his new job. It's a temp position as a lease analyst. He is learning a lot about leases and verbage and he really thinks that this experience will help him with his future endeavors as an accountant. Through this whole unemployment stage (more like funemployment!) we have decided that it would be best for him to return to school in the fall to get his Masters and CPA. So that's exciting! He takes the GMAT this week and we are working on applications so fingers crossed.

One thing I have really been concentrating on since the beginning of February is losing this "baby weight". I started going to a Crossfit/pilates class that a woman in my ward organizes out of her detached garage. I went twice a week for about 5 weeks before I started working more during the week. Along with eating healthier, I started losing weight, however having Sam home for a month, and birthdays, and Easter, and not going to workout classes kind of made me backtrack a bit. But now I'm back on track and as motivated as ever. I want to fit in my old clothes again! haha

Rosalie is growing like a weed. She is 7 months already, has 6 teeth, weighs 18lbs, and is army crawling. She will be "normal crawling" any day now. She is such a happy baby and we feel so blessed to have her.

A lot had happened this past 4 months and so much change will be happening in the months to come! Exciting times are afoot.

Some Extra Pictures:

Trying whipped cream for the first time. This is when we found out Rosalie had her first tooth coming in.

Shopping with Meme.

Starting to eat baby food.

First two teeth.

hahaha

We drove by this beautiful Field of bluebonnets on our way to the ranch and just HAD to stop and take pictures. I had been looking for a place to take pictures all week prior. Our little Texas baby.