Welcome Home Ben!

in a semi-surprising turn of events Ben came home on Tuesday instead of today! he graduated early, so the air force was anxious to get him back home. for a couple of weeks now we've been wondering whether he would actually be coming home early. talk about nerve-wracking! his itinerary kept changing so even on the day he flew in i was skeptical.

i think Porter has been ready for rice cereal for a couple weeks, but we waited until Ben came home which was right around the 4 month mark anyway. it was a sweet bonding moment!

sometimes I can't believe Porter's cheeks are really that cute. it looks like he's stashing a bunch of food in there!

someone is a little bit unsure...but it didn't take long for them to be thick as thieves.

Sleep...good boy.

I'm not a fan of the term "sleep training" it sounds like something you'd do with a dog. But it is what it is...and that's what we're doing now. I wasn't expecting to be in this stage for a little while but I can't argue with Porter. As much as I've loved co-sleeping for the past few months, IT IS TIME. I'm also not a fan of listening to Porter-boy cry his heart out. All. Night. Long. But after a lot of reading, thinking, and praying (mostly praying, this is the hardest decision I've ever faced!) the cry-it-out method presented itself as the best method for Porter. Now I'll be praying that we can  stop in this stage just long enough to wave "Hello, Goodbye!" and move on. What's that you say? "Good Luck!" Yes, I know two exhausted people that really could use it!!!

Sunday best.

I love Sundays. Even though my new job doesn't come with days off, I like that we get dressed in our Sunday best and walk to church. Afterward I feel like there's more oomph in the rest of the day. Naps are more relaxing, silence is more peaceful, and maybe...just maybe Porter manages to be that much more beautiful in my eyes. You don't have to agree (though I argue it'd be hard not to) because I'm more than a little biased, and also an incurable romantic. How do you enjoy Sunday?

Good things.

Just a few of the good things happening for us this summer:

Ben graduated from the Aircraft Hydraulic Systems Apprentice course at Sheppard AFB in Texas. KC-135 In-Flight Refueling training goes from September 12-26. He comes home on the 27th! That's only 3 weeks away!

A nap for Porter. Anywhere, anytime, and with anyone is a good thing and I'll take it! Teething has been hard for all of us.

A camping trip with our good friends the Despains!

Visits with family and extra snuggle time for Porter! 

This picture with Sarah is sadly the best picture of the Brigham City Temple open house that I have right now. The parking garage? Really Effie!? I guess I can justify it by saying that it was really bright out and you can't take pictures in the temple.

Just chillin on the floor with a good friend. Owen and Porter are practically the same exact age if you count their due dates. Their birthdays are 3 months apart though; Owen was born 3 months before Porter. Finally they meet!

Porter has a pretty easy job of making me smile while Ben is away. I mean, come on. He just has to lay there and look adorable in whatever I dress him in. I can't help but smile at him in his little tank top.

Home grown summer squash is one of my favorite things. Of all the yummy vegetables, this is the best!

Uncle Mike was kind enough to come along on a hike around Causey Reservoir. A chance to get out of Salt Lake City and hike up a mountain? I practically had to TWIST his arm!

I have to appreciate exceptional food when I find it out and about. This place in Ogden called Warren's is my new favorite place that serves fry sauce. For some of you who may not know what that is...it's something found in abundance in Utah and each burger joint has a slightly different recipe for it. Also, I've found one of my new favorite desserts. Funnel cake fries!