Trip to see daddy!

The weeks leading up to our big trip to see daddy I told Brian that he was going on an airplane to visit daddy. I'm pretty sure all he heard was, "going on an airplane." What little boy doesn't love airplanes? He told EVERYONE that he was going on an airplane! So I would just explain it was to see daddy graduate :) Our trip was so fun! The flying there and back, not so much. I booked our flight to SC on a red eye, thinking Brian would sleep through most of it. He didn't. He stared out the window and made sure everyone knew what was going on i.e. we were flying over clouds and it was dark outside. After arriving at the airport at 9 p.m. we finally left at 12:50. Brian kindly fell asleep the last 10 minutes of the first flight which meant that I managed all of our carry on stuff and carried Brian through the airport to our connecting flight, which is never close by, obviously. He woke up just in time for the second flight, which basically means my whole plan failed. We actually flew in to North Carolina so we drove to South Carolina. I have never been so happy to fall face first into an uncomfortable hotel bed. I have no idea what Brian did for 3 hours. When I woke up he was still alive and in the hotel room, so thankfully he didn't run away or do anything to hurt himself. We still had most of the day ahead of us and since we couldn't see Joel until the next day we drove around to look for places to eat..and just ate...a lot. And rented red box cartoons.



The next morning we left early to go on post and find parking and seating for the family day presentation. It was short and sweet. Thank you! We did see a fun colorful gas show and they did a presentation of all the different kinds of guns the army uses (there's probably a more correct word than guns...rifles?)



Then we strong armed our way through thousands of soldiers and their family members to find our soldier!!



The first thing he wanted to do for family day was eat! Specifically he wanted to eat anything unhealthy, sugary, and preferably fried. He even called me the night before to tell me to bring some chips and a coke so that we wouldn't have to wait in line. (He actually asked for some cheeseburgers as well and informed me that he would eat them cold...I chose not to do that...because that's disgusting.) So we headed to the PX along with EVERYONE ELSE. It took us an hour to get food but Joel was so happy with his philly cheesesteak..and bacon cheddar fries..and half of my sandwich...and chips...basically he impressed me with the amount of food that he could eat!! Of course he's lost weight and I now have to buy him new pants (for those that don't know my husband is already ridiculously skinny and I hate him for it). Just kidding I love him.



We also got to meet the military relations missionaries at a local building where Joel would go to church every Sunday. It was supposed to be a get together with all of the families. But there was only one other family...and it was just a little awkward. We all sat around a folding table sharing a package of oreos...so we got out of there pretty quickly. The senior couple were super nice though :) Every sunday the soldiers were allowed to write little messages and Elder Putnam would call us and read the message over the phone. He was always very sweet to decipher Joel's handwriting and speak spanish :)

We finished off the day at the park so Brian could have some quality time with daddy. Oh, and more food.

We had to drop Joel off at the bay (where they sleep) and drive back to our hotel. Elder and Sister Putnam gave me directions to the Columbia South Carolina Temple and it turned out to be less than 10 minutes from my hotel! So we stopped by to walk around before heading to bed. It was a beautiful temple! It was dark by the time we got there so the lights were all on. I loved walking around with my little son and talking about Jesus, singing some primary songs and eventually comforting him because he thought he was going to have to go to his sunbeam class...(he's still attached to nursery). I felt the spirit and was reminded why I love the temple :) We didn't stay long because Brian peed his pants.



Thursday was graduation. Finally!!! It was a long ceremony but beautiful. It was nice to honor those that have worked so hard to help our soldiers :) Something one of the speakers said really stuck with me. Always choose the hard right, instead of the easy wrong. A simple statement but so true! They finally released our soldiers and we again had to search around a bit for him, but Brian was so excited to see daddy again!



And he looked super handsome in his uniform :)

This time the soldiers were actually allowed to leave post so we went out to eat with a few other families, went swimming, and shopping :) It was the perfect day! We again had to bring Joel back to the bay. This time we stuck around and chit chatted with some of his buddies and watched as they were called into formation. When they had to leave to go to sleep they couldn't say good bye again and Brian had a hard time with that...that was heart breaking. So I had to drag him screaming and crying back to our car so we could go back home and get ready to leave the next day.



We left early the next morning for North Carolina. Joel also left that morning for Fort Lee, VA. This time our flight home was pretty enjoyable. Our connecting flight went smoothly and we sat next to a very nice old lady who let Brian trade her seats so he could sit next to the window and look outside. Once we got to Seattle things were going smoothly. Then they didn't. As we were waiting for the train to come by to take us baggage claim I noticed that Brian was suddenly standing in a very large puddle...he peed his pants. Dang it. so I had to find security and tell them that my son had peed on the floor...right in front of the door so people had to jump over it or just walk through it...go all the way back to the bathroom and change him...I of course didn't have any extra pants available so he just had to wear his pee pee pants. Go back to the train and let him sit on my lap so now i'm all wet...we stink like pee. Brian keeps telling everyone he peed his pants, and tell me he's sorry for peeing his pants...it was just not fun.
My sister, mom, and cute little niece picked us up from the airport and Genevieve was so excited to see Brian! He felt the same way so they had a nice little reunion.



It was a great trip but we were glad to be home!

Now Joel is in VA. He's actually been on hold since he got there. They don't have enough soldiers to start classes so a bunch of them are waiting for more to arrive. It's been almost 2 weeks and he may have to wait a few weeks more...Once he does start he will have 12 weeks of classes, then off to Airborne school, then we'll finally be done with training!!!

I can't wait.

Life

It hasn’t quite been a year…so I still have a chance of making amends and sticking to my goal of writing more often…right? I’m pretty sure more than a year has gone by in the past…so this is an improvement and that’s all we can hope for.

First, I am obsessed with the piano guys. WHO IN THE WORLD IS THAT TALENTED? The piano guys, that’s who. I think if my husband truly wanted me to be happy he would learn how to play the cello…and then learn how to play the drums on the cello.

Now that that’s out of the way, there have been a lot of changes this past (almost) year. My little sister got married and had a baby! My niece Genevieve is seriously a doll! I have yet to see a prettier little girl (major sibling rivalry will occur if I ever have a girl because she will, of course, be the newest prettiest little girl). Really though, she is blonde haired blue eyed perfection and we just love her. And Genevieve Rose is such a beautiful name that I’m sad I didn’t think of it first. Brian thinks she’s his little toy and likes to drag her around and do everything with her. It’s adorable. He is going to be a great big brother…someday…not now though, this is not some kind of cute pregnancy announcement.

MY HUSBAND JOINED THE ARMY. Yep, he finally joined! This has been such a long and frustrating process for the both of us. It’s been his dream since before we even got married and I have never seen him stick to something like he did with the army. After every discouraging set back and studying hard to be able to pass the ASVAB (many people know that english is not his first language), endless prayers, fasting, and seeking guidance to know what it was that Heavenly Father wanted him to do with his life he finally said, one more time. He wanted to try one more time to pass the test. He studied and practiced and his english had improved so he went in and HE PASSED! Heavenly Father definitely blessed us, especially him for his diligence. This was mid August. He went up to MEPS to secure his MOS (job within the army) and there weren’t available that he wanted, which was a mechanic, preferably helicopter mechanic. They told him a few times that nothing was available but he asked once more if they could check so the guy actually calls in to see if maybe something was open that hadn’t been entered into the system and there was! Still not his dream MOS but he will be working with large machines as a mechanic. Once the process started it happened really fast and he was shipping out November 19th! Others had to wait 6-9 months but his MOS allowed him to leave earlier. He’s now been in basic combat training for about 9 weeks and graduates next Thursday! He has done really well in basic, passed all of his tests the first try and was even made a squad leader! Though a small leadership position it makes me happy to see that others recognize his ability to be a positive and strong leader!

Brian and I fly out on Tuesday to see his graduation and spend the day with him. He moves on to VA for his AIT until May then 3 weeks in GA for Airborne school (definitely did not discuss this option with me before he signed up, but too late now…who jumps out of airplanes? My husband, I guess). So by June we should be all through with this training and be moving on to our first duty station! I am DESPERATE to find out where we’ll be stationed, but time is going by so quickly so I’m sure it’ll be here before I know it!

It’s rough having him gone, Brian misses him, and I miss him. It’s kind of fun though to only communicate through letters. It reminds me of my missionary days and the excitement of receiving mail!

Joel is such an amazing example. I’ve heard a few people describe basic as something very difficult, sometimes even disheartening. He has been positive throughout the whole experience! He says it’s hard but he loves it, and he loves working with the other soldiers, and he’s really made this a missionary experience. Before he left we talked a lot about what we expected from eachother, and especially what we both expected from him. I know what the army can be like and I didn’t want him to stop doing certain things (like prayer or scripture study) because of what other people might say. In one of his first letters from basic he shared something with me that made me know that I chose the right man  They had had a long day and their first pt test so he was dead tired when he got back to his bed. Before he did anything else he knelt down to pray and he could hear a few people asking others what he was doing. After a few days people were used to it and even made sure to quiet down when he would pray. One night, while getting ready to pray one of the other soldiers approached him and asked if he was praying. When Joel said yes the soldier asked if he could join him. He was struggling with his pt and wanted to ask God for help. Those two are best friends now and that same soldier was just baptized last week! What an amazing experience! Last month’s visiting teaching message was about missionary work and this just really reminded me that we can always be missionaries!

More exciting news is that last month my sister in law had her daughter!! Sofia is beautiful and has TONS of hair!!! I just can’t wait until I can go visit and meet her in person 

Last update for this post, my son loves doing dishes. Negative side is that I have to wait for him to fall asleep so I can go back in and rewash the dishes. Otherwise he freaks out. He’s my little helper though and he’s really made this whole thing easier! No time to be sad or lonely, which I am so grateful for!

perspective

I've been meaning to post about our amazing vacation in Arizona, but it seems as if I have been even busier now that I have finished school than when I was still doing homework! I am having such a great time with my family and doing all of the things I couldn't do when I was in school. We've been going to the park, and playing trains, painting, going to the zoo, planning camping trips, and just being together. It is such a nice feeling! The only thing I haven't caught up on is housework. I read this poem today though and it made me feel a little better :)

I Took His Hand and Followed
Mrs. Roy L. Peifer




My dishes went unwashed today,

I didn't make the bed,

I took his hand and followed

Where his eager footsteps led.



Oh yes, we went adventuring,

My little son and I...

Exploring all the great outdoors

Beneath the summer sky



We waded in a crystal stream,

We wandered through a wood...

My kitchen wasn't swept today

But life was gay and good.



We found a cool, sun-dappled glade

And now my small son knows

How Mother Bunny hides her nest,

Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.



We watched a robin feed her young,

We climbed a sunlit hill...

Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,

We plucked a daffodil.



That my house was neglected,

That I didn't brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth

Will know, or even care.



But that I've helped my little boy

To noble manhood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world

May look and see and know.

Is it seriously almost May?!

Remember when I said I would write more often, and then I didn't?!?! I'm not very surprised. I have been feeling the need to document our lives better, especially since I have such a horrible memory. I do want to record things though, so I can remind Brian of them when we're older. Like how he likes to blow bubbles into his bath water like a motor boat. I love that! He thinks he's pretty hilarious too. Or how he likes to sleep ONLY with me and share my pillow. He was sleeping on his own for a while, but I spoil him and let him snuggle with me because I love it. And because I worry that one day when he's older he won't want to snuggle at all. And he loves sitting on the big boy potty, but he doesn't like actually peeing in it (we're working on that). Did I mention I'm graduating from college next week? I am beyond excited. I never thought this day would come. After finishing my mission I had the next five years or so planned. Life definitely did not turn out that way! I got married and had an amazing baby boy (which I must say are much better than the plan I had for myself). I'm just so relieved I finally did it. A little late, but I still did it. I'm not sure why I kept going. I knew I wasn't going to be able to go to law school like I had planned. I wasn't even sure I would make it to grad school. I think I know now that I just really wanted to be able to show my son how important education is and that when we really want something we need to work hard and often times sacrifice comfort to achieve it. Maybe one day I won't have to work and I'll go to grad school. I felt like I was in mourning for a while. I see my friends and peers applying for their masters programs and I wished that I could do the same. Then we watched general conference and I realized that just because I can't do something NOW does not mean that I will never do it at all. I'm so grateful for this accomplishment, but I'm looking forward to getting home from work and just spending time with my family. Especially my little two year old. He is getting so big, and smart! I've just never seen anything else more perfect than him. I am just so blessed. We're heading to Arizona tomorrow for vacation (and graduation). I am so excited to get some sun (with lots of sun screen)! I can't wait to bring Brian to the zoo (I might be a little more excted than he is, they have Giraffes!!!) I just know that this is going to be the best vacation ever. I promise to have lots of pictures when we get back. Brian has been in speech therapy for the past month or so. He was a little delayed in his speech (but he also has 3 languages in the home) so the therapist is just working with us on how to encourage his speech. He has been doing so well and it is so fun to see him grow and express himself with words. When his pediatrician first recommended speech therapy my heart just leapt into my throat. I imagined Brian not having friends and never graduating high school because he couldn't speak (over-react much?) but I am so thankful that we took his advice. My sister's baby is due in 4 weeks! I can't believe it. I am so excited to be an aunt, and I just know that Brian is going to be a great cousin/big brother. It will be nice to have a little girl around to spoil and dress up :) Now that I'm done with school Joel wants to finish his schooling. We'll see where that takes us :)

Crazy

Okay, before anything else I have to share the craziest thing that happened. Joel and I are renting a house and they had to do a background and credit check on us. Today, I got a phone call from the property manager saying that we weren't eligible because of my criminal misdemeanor endangerment charge from August 2011.

What?!

So apparently on my background check it came up that I had pleaded guilty to a criminal misdemeanor endangerment charge at Globe Regional Justice Court, which is Globe Arizona. I wanted to cry. THIS IS NOT ME! After some pleading and further digging we discovered that there is an April Anne Ashby (my maiden name is Ashby, so I am April Yong Ashby)who is 33 (older than me) that pleaded guilty to child endangerment. But I was freaking out!! I was already imagining getting thrown in jail and not being able to prove my innocence like one of those horrible Life Time movies. Anyways, crisis averted.

Now, the actual update.

Joel and I were buying a house. Then we ran into all sorts of problems. So instead of buying the house we're renting a house for a year and then looking for a house when our year lease is coming to a close. This will give us more time to look, and save up a bigger down payment. I'm a little sad to walk away from this house (we were at the inspection stage so I was already decorating everything in my mind) but this is what we feel that the Lord wants for us. Things just weren't working out and it felt like we had to force everything to happen, so we started getting the hint. Then there were a million and one delays to paying earnest money and signing so we finally heard the loud shouting in our ears that this was not the right decision for us right now.

Anyways, we're pretty happy with our little house we'll be renting. I'm pretty excited to not have to share a room with Brian's toys! And we'll hopefully be in there for the new year, once my criminal record is cleared up :)

Love

I know I promised more blog posts...but it's been so nice not having to be on my computer 24/7 either due to work or homework that I have been enjoying my computer free break (except for pinterest, but that's necessary for everyday life right? Otherwise I wouldn't know what to wear, or make for dinner, or say during emotionally hard times *love the quotes*)

It seems strange that Christmas is just a few short days. Where did the year go? I mean, it's been a great year, it just went by way too fast.

I went through some hard times so I stopped writing in my blog because I didn't want people to know that my obviously perfect life was not so perfect. Which is silly because everyone has imperfect moments in their life and mine are nothing to be embarassed about.

I love Joel and his patience for me. I love that his love for me is not contingent upon my love for him. He's helping me become the me that I am supposed to be. A better person than I could hope for and a far kinder person than I currently am.

I'm learning who to turn to for counsel and strength. My perfect example. Christ's healing is truly all encompassing and I am so grateful that His love is more than enough, especially when my own is not.

I love my family and although we go through trials, just like all other families, these trials are making us a refined, celestial family. I've learned that there can be no charity, love or even mutual respect, without sacrifice.

Finals

Yesterday I took my last final of the semester. On January 5th I start my LAST SEMESTER OF MY UNDERGRADUATE CAREER!!!! So, for a full month I will be gracing the world with all of my interesting blog updates :) Starting tomorrow...