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!

Teething

"Don't bug me. I'm teething."

It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to!

2 months means shots. There's no party here though; just a lot of snuggling, kisses, sleeping, eating...

And crying.

So, it was pretty much like any other day but with more of everything! On Monday at the doctor he weighed a whopping 12 pounds 2 ounces and has grown 3 inches in the last month-and-a-half, making him 23 inches long!

Growing is hard work!

and now...

"The Happiest Boy That Ever Was"

Welcome to the world!

Well alright...so he's almost 2 months old now. Still, it's nice to look back and say, "Remember when?" Already he's changed so much. That thought is a little sad...and alarming! I don't want to imagine the day when I won't be able to hold him in my arms anymore. When he won't hold still and accept my never-ending kisses and hugs. When I'm no longer the single most important person in his life. The good news is he will always be my little boy and I his mama! We are so glad to have you here Porter!

Happy Birthday America!

This Independence Day, Porter and I joined the Despain family for an all day picnic at the park. We staked out an excellent spot to watch the fireworks in Clearfield, UT. I can only guess, but I'd say there were thousands of people that came from all over to watch this top-notch display. I enjoyed the oldies cover band, grilled hot dogs, Jones sodas, and of course; hanging out with my little man. Porter enjoyed...a nap. A very long and peaceful nap. It never ceases to amaze me what this kid can sleep through.

Here's to:

this great country,

soldiers at home and abroad that get it done,

a Heavenly Father who makes it possible,

friends,

family,

and days like this that make it all worthwhile.

(oh, let's not forget that grand tradition of blowing stuff up. Here's to that!)

1 month

Porter is 1 month old as of Saturday!
(So, we made it through a whole month? In one piece?)

Pound it!

 Weighs in at 9 lbs 9 oz.


Spends a lot of his time snuggled up on mom's shoulder for a nap.
(It turns out that lots of things can be done one-handed...except for opening the pickle jar.)


Porter loves music, motion, and looking around...especially when all of those things are combined with mom's shoulder.


All in all; a very happy boy! (Well, we have our not so happy moments too.)
Laughs almost every day, but only when the camera is across the room!

Life lately...

...has been so crazy! It seems a lot has happened in the blink of an eye even though the days we're looking forward to have been a long time coming. Personally, I've been feeling a lot of relief, joy, ants-in-my-pants, and near terror at what is ahead.

First off, Ben got word that he will be leaving for basic training on April 10th - a week sooner than we were planning when he was sworn in. Happy Birthday Ben!!! What this means is that he won't be here when the baby is born...and for a little while after. I'll be anxiously expecting Ben back mid-August!

Then, we made the big decision to move out of our town home in Clearfield. For the next while (at least while Ben is away training and until we decide on what the next move should be for our family) we will be staying in the home of some dear friends of ours, the Despains. So for now we're in a lovely little place called Washington Terrace (South Ogden) and my stress level is down to a comfortable mild dread (whenever I think of Ben leaving). It helps to know that this is, in fact, our dreams coming true - even if it's not the timing I would have picked!

Also, we're excited to spend a good chunk of time back in Colorado before he leaves. (for real now, Happy Birthday Ben!)

Here's a little somethin-somethin just because I enjoy blogs with pictures, and it does tell the story of our move pretty accurately.

Although, if you are familiar with the Talbot side of things at all, you just know that delegate is not an easy word to live by. Darn near impossible actually. I'm doing my best though and I have had awesome help from friends!