Jacob and Maximilian's adventures in Oregon!!

So, it is not often that I, Jacob, will be the one writing in this blog, but as Rachel so kindly pointed out, she cannot write about this adventure, because she was not there.
This whole adventure started about a month ago, when we were looking into buying tickets to fly to Oregon to visit my parents, while it was still free for Max to fly. Upon looking at the prices, we decided that only I should go with Max, because we just did not have enough money for the two of us to go. As the month dwindled away and as I finished my mid-terms in school, Fall Break finally arrived and Max and I were finally ready to leave. We left on Wednesday, October 12th, at about eight in the morning. The first obstacle that we had to face was getting through TSA. The only incident that happened there is that after making me take of my watch, ring, belt, shoes, take apart Max's stroller, run his bag through, and holding a screaming child, I was tasked with putting that all on again. While trying to do that, TSA kept pushing more and more bags and shoes through, eventually knocking my stuff to the floor, which quickly prompted me to yell at them to wait. They didn't, but a nice lady behind me helped with Max so that I could get everything together. Soon as that was done and after lodging a complaint, Max and I made our way to our gate, at the farthest point away from the entrance in the airport. We finally arrived there, whereupon I had to entertain Max while we waited for the plane. Fortunately for us, a man had a heart attack and the paramedics kept Max entertained until the flight was ready to leave.
After awhile, we were finally able to board and seeing as it was an empty flight, Max was able to have his own seat on the plane, right next to the window. He had so much fun sitting there during take off! He kept looking out the window, then would look and me and yell "whoa!!", then he would look out the window again and get all excited.
The flight was uneventful, with Max falling asleep and not ever really having any of the problems associated with the changes in cabin pressure. We got to Portland at about 10:45, got our luggage, and at about 11:15 we concluded that our ride would not be getting us, so we had to set up a base camp. To do it, I had to move a few rows of chairs in front of a window, then barricaded it at both ends so that he could have a place to play and not get away. In front of the window was a clear view of a train, so for the next five and a bit hours, I got to hear Max talk about the choo-choo and imaginary helicopters.
When my dad was finally able to get us, Max was so excited to see him. He must have remembered him from the summer, cause all he would do was look at him and go "wa-hoo", something they did during our Spotted Bear trip. And, as luck would have it, right as we were walking our luggage to the truck, the stroller breaks and the wheel falls off. I was really glad that it did happen then and not when we were in the airport, otherwise I don't know what I would have done.
When we finally got down to North Bend, it was late at night and Max was so tired, but he just did not want to go to sleep. He tried sitting with my mom, but it just was not working. But, as always, he finally passed out and got a good nights rest for our next day. That day we were able to see my parents at work, got to see Ashley at school, saw a couple of deer and petted them, saw some of my old teachers, and just hung out. It was on Friday that we were able to hang out with my parents, because they both took the day off. We were able to go to the beach and have fun there. Max loves the water and throwing rocks into it. If he could have his perfect day, it would be sitting on the beach, throwing rocks in the water and watching helicopters fly by. Later that day we went out to the North Spit, to the site where the New Carissa crashed a long time ago, to look for sea shells. After that, we had to go get Ashley and Tyler from the Middle School, but by then, Max had enough of driving around and got car sick, spewing his lunch all over the back seat. Fortunately, he did it next to a gas station and I had extra clothes for him, so it was real easy to clean up. Also, as we drove off, we saw that the fire station was doing an open house, so we stopped there for dinner to refill Max's stomach. It was about this point that my dad taught Max to say "whatever", which he is now using all the time.....
Finally, on Saturday, our last day in Oregon, we went to Bandon and had a great time, taking lots of pictures, eating lots of samples from Cranberry Sweets, and getting some awesome clothing souvenirs. Max just had a final fun day spending time with his grandparents, just enjoying being with them. He was loving it so much that he tried to stay up as late as he could, so that way he could delay saying goodbye.
Then, early Sunday morning, we began the trek back to Utah. We had to leave North Bend at one in the morning, which made the rest of the day very long for Max. He had a rough time sleeping in the truck on the way up, didn't really sleep on the airplane, then when we finally got home, he didn't want to nap because he was so excited to see his mom.
All in all, it was a really fun, relaxing trip to the Oregon Coast. Now, it is back to reality with school in the morning and work in the afternoon..... stupid reality.

Conference Weekend...Fall 2011

My Nephew chillin in the boppy

It was like a scene from the Birds.

In between sessions we ate frozen pizza.

Max passed out.

I can't believe that October 1st has arrived. I wasn't getting pumped for conference like many of my neighbors but after listening to the first session I realized how much I needed it. I'm always reminded of how I really need to be doing better and certain facts that I just need to remember personally like what Elder Uchtdorf said, my Heavenly Father is watching over me and knows and loves me. I think I find that I'm just like the Nephites......their downfall was that they always just forgot about the Lord and who was in charge of their success which in turn led them to get caught up in their own pride. Now I don't think I will ever fall that hard, but I tend to forget what's truly important sometimes.

Saturday has just been a great day. Laura and I woke up at the crack of dawn and went walking in Liberty Park. It was nice to do something like that without the kids and to take our time, even though Jake had to get ready to go to school. Then I came home and Jake and made pancakes for Max and I. After he left for school we cleaned up the house a bit and then watched conference. Max was very well behaved, considering he probably wanted to go play outside. I know it may sound mundane to some, but it's my life, and I love it. I know there are days when sometimes the routine of being a stay at home Mom can feel uneventful, but to see my little boy grow up and to see him learning is so awesome. Also, to have Jake taking care of me and making me feel beautiful all the time is so important to me as well.

On Saturday night we went over to our friends house to hang out. Chapan and Cami just moved here from Rexburg since he graduated. Max was in love at their house since they had two dogs and a tennis court for him to run on. He was all over the place. Their little niece came over and Max was picking on her the whole time...i.e. pulling her hair, touching her toes, and steeling stuff from her. It's funny. I think Max is going to be a terrible flirt when he's over.

Jake and Max are going to Oregon in 2 weeks. I'm excited and yet sad at the same time. Why am I excited? Sleeping in, organizing my house without someone tugging at my leg for me to pick them up, working out whenever I want, going to a movie by myself.....oh the options are endless. On the other hand I'm sad cause Jake won't be around and my little Max will be gone, but it's only for 5 days, and I know how excited Jake is to take Max to Oregon and I definitely know how excited Barb is to see Max as well. I told my neighbor that my two men were leaving for a few days, and she said "Without you!????" I was like "Uhhhh yeah". And then she said, "I've never been away from kids ever, I would be sad and wouldn't know what to do". I wanted to tell her to get a life, but to each his own.

The Dreaded GRE

Yesterday Jake took the GRE. I'm so glad it's finally over and I hope he doesn't have to take it again. He did everything that he could and I'm proud of him. He took all the advice he could get, i.e. reading The New York Times, reviewing vocabulary flashcards and doing math prep tests. The results won't be back until November, so waiting will get annoying. This semester has been reasonably stress free for me. I have my first test next month and so my anxiety might raise by a point, but I think I will make it by. I can't believe how much my little nephew has grown. It's so crazy to think! He's already sitting up in a Bumbo by himself. Max is sooo stinking protective of him, and every time he hears a knock on the door he asks if it's the baby.

School has definitely been controlling our lives the past few weeks. Jake has been really on top of things, which includes disputing with his professor when he doesn't agree with his quiz score. Also, he started his new job, which has been really great. I can tell he likes it much more than his last one. Our dear friends the Carters are moving away this week. Eric was a member of the Bishopric and was released this afternoon. Jackie and Otto, their little boy, spent many hours playing with Max. I got a little teary eyed when they spoke during church today. Eric has been our Home Teacher for the past year and he came every month. We will miss having them so close by.

Today we were talking about the Spirit World in Relief Society. I can tell this was some thing I really needed today. I was thinking about my Dad a lot this past week, probably because we went to the Cucina Toscasa to eat as a family in his memory. He would have gotten mad that we all ordered our own desserts. Anyways, in the Lesson we were reminded that the spirit world is really on the earth. I hope with all my heart that my Dad is looking over little Max. As of now he still remembers him and likes to point out his picture to us when he gets the chance.

This past Friday my Mom got my Dad's Life Insurance check and she had a really hard time with it. I think it was just a symbol of how he's truly gone, but I really feel that he's still with us. max still likes to run up to his picture and say "Gwamka" Which means Grandpa.

I found out that the SLC public library gives a way free passes to some cool venues around town. These include red butte gardens, the discovery center, the art museum, and the museum of natural history. However, they only give a few passes away and then you have to show up when the library opens the first of every month. Max and I decided to check it out and the crowds were arriving ten minutes before the library opened. I ran in and mauled my way past everyone considering I was the third person to get there but had moved around a lot since max is a very active toddler. I got my pass.....it felt like a golden ticket. And then we left. We're excited to use it, but can only get one every 6 months so everyone can feel the love.

It has officially started to cool down, it still gets a little hot in the afternoon, but I can handle pushing Max on the swings for more than 10 minutes in the afternoon sun. I'll be glad when fall is here. I was really excited when summer came so that we could go swimming, but Max wasn't as excited about the kiddy pool as I thought he would be, he was more intersted in just running around the park or at least trying to get as far away from me as he can, but he's getting much better.

Summer is beginning to end. I got my grades back from my classes. I got two A's and a B. I was shocked that I got a B in my Stats class. I got a C- on the midterm but I guess I did really well on the Final. I was worried about it cause you have to retake it if you get below a C and I know people who had not passed the first time. But now I'm down to two classes. Hopefully all goes well with them this coming semester. I'm watching my nephew all day 2-3 times a week. It's good for max. he gets all excited when jack comes over. He yells, "The Baby....Baby". It's quite humerus.

Now the semester has started and Jake has been really on top of things. He's working really hard to graduate in May. He's taking 15 credits and works 36 hours a week. I could care less about the money, but Jake is worried about benefits so he is continuing to work. Which is a good thing because he just got promoted at work. NO more shipping department, and a raise! he really put in his time at Regional Supply, but now he works at a different branch of the company, and he's a manager so he can try to delegate and do things the way he sees fit. I'm so proud of him. This will also be a good opportunity for him because a management position will look really good on his graduate school application. (which is due in January...yikes). Anywho, life has been busy and I enjoy watching my little nephew. It's really fun to see him and Max together. My semester is fairly easy going, since I only have two classes, but I'm really excited for my Aural Rehab classes. I've become really interested in Audiology and hope to make that my discourse when I go to graduate school (in like 10 years). After I graduate I just want to be a Mom and devote my time to Max and any other future kids. School hasn't taken up too much of my time, but life will be a lot less stressful without it.

Pulhapanzak Falls

So I'm a little behind in my Ensign reading. I found the February 2011 still wrapped in plastic behind the computer. I've been slowly reading it over the past week and found an article that made me so happy. Brother Olsen was a counselor in our old Bishopric when Jake and I were in the singles ward. During one FHE he had his son come to speak to us who is an author for the Ensign who also travels the world looking for cool stories from members. In this issue I saw his name as an author for an article entitled "Revelation pouring Down From Heaven". It was on a member from Honduras, from one of my Zones. The picture is of a young man standing in front of Pulhapanzak Falls in Honduras......I've Been There!!!! It's a beautiful waterfall that I went to when I as in La Zona Villanueva (the zone that I spent 6 months in with my compa who hated me). Anywho, the point of the story is that you have to get wet, or completely jump in the water to be truly converted. I love when little things come into my day that remind me of my time I spent there. I love this picture on the bottom cause you can see the rainbow!!

Summer Time

This summer is almost over, and I can't believe all the stuff that has happened. I had classes this summer, approximately 10 credits. One of my classes was a month long....Women Cross Culturally. I've decided that I enjoy studying anthropology but hate anthropologists, they annoy me. That class ended in June and then my statistics and Adolescence classes have endured for the whole summer, but finals are this week. In June I went back to Illinois. It was a nice farewell, but I've decided I would never want to move back there, or anywhere in the vicinity if I can help it. Jake may not care for it, but I enjoy the mountains and many aspect of Utah, it's not a bad place. Juli and I spent some time in Chicago (Shopping of course) and stayed with our old friend Effie. It was nice to catch up. the remainder of our trip was in Rockford, where we ate, and ate, and ate. I had dinner with my old high school friend, Barb Moyer, and then Lunch with Stephanie Holden. It was nice to catch up with people. Juli, Effie, and I went to the old house on Gregwood Place. The people who live there are a little interesting, but it was disappointing to see all their dumb cats everywhere. My Mother would have died. I really missed being away and was so glad to come home. Jake even told me that max missed me so much that he would lay in his bed and say "Mommy......" until he fell asleep.

I flew back to Salt Lake on July 4th and my Grandma Boots tagged along. 5 hours after arriving home My father passed away. In reality he was just waiting for Grandma to get here. It was difficult seeing him suffer and to feel so lonely and bored all the time. The last few months were like prison to him, but I know he is an extremely better place and that he watches over us. Grandma has been a big handful, she's starting to lose here memory at a rapid rate and she's constantly losing stuff. Here clothes and personal items were suppose to be here weeks ago, but the moving company sucks and her stuff still remain in Rockford. She too is having a hard time living here, but we are glad that she's around, she still makes me laugh.

Barb and Ralph Brooks came for a few days in July. I feel like we spent little time at the house, which was nice, but also cause our apartment flooded the moment they arrived. We went to the water park, we went to the cemetery where many of the past church leaders are buried, and of course partook on some traditional SLC fro-yo. It was nice to have them around, and hope to see them again next summer.

finally, and of course more importantly to Jake is the part of our summer we spent camping. In june we went with our ward. This was a dry run for max, who isn't the best camper, but really, what toddler is. He cried a lot that night, but overall he was pretty good. Then we made the big trip to Montana that Jake had been waiting for. We drove 12 hours to Spotted Bear campground by Crazy Hoarse and Glacier National Park. I enjoy camping, for like 2 days max, but for a week......NO. I enjoy indoor plumbing, beds, and stoves. I feel like I did my time when I lived in Honduras for 18 months, now I'm done. The point is, I can camp, but I choose not to! Anyhow, Max loved the river, he could of sat by it throwing rocks in allll day. Jake was a crazy man when we floated the river, I couldn't get him to stop yelling like a crazy person when we hit the rapids. Max got to spend even more time with Grammy Barb, I think he loved sitting with her by the fire before bed time. We had sacrament meeting around the fire early Sunday morning. It was a cool experience to hear people's testimonies and to be outdoors while Jake's nephew peed in a bush during the sacrament blessing. Most of Jake's family was there, intermediate and extended. But just like the saying goes, family is like fish, it starts to stink after a few days, so it was our time to leave. I think if we spent 5 days with my family we would kill each other! But everyone was descent. It was nice to arrive home after max had barfed twice on the way home, one time outside of Bountiful.

Life is back to normal, Jake is preparing to take the GRE. I am extremely nervous for him, he studies when he can, but I think he's trying to enjoy what little time he has left with Max and I before school starts on August 22. He is never going to be home this Fall and I hope all goes well so he can graduate in May. Of course he will still have to take classes next summer. I'm taking 2 classes this Fall, one at 7 30 A.M. Tues and Thursdays, and the other online. Max is excited cause he gets to go play with his BF Eleyna while I'm in class. She lives upstairs, so it's very convenient. other than that, max and I are hanging out with Jack a lot. He's my sister Laura's son, he's only 10 weeks, but he's a cute little bugger, especially when he's asleep. I know my Dad would be proud of us, and I hope he knows how much we miss and think of him.