Love at Home

I love my little family!

I get so much fulfillment out of being a mommy and a wife. I definitely need to be better in both areas, but I'm learning as I go. It's amazing how much better I know Tanner now that I'm not working and spend all my time with him. I feel more comfortable in my ability to fulfill his needs and understand his special baby language. And now that I'm not teaching, I can focus on Eli as well. Eli and I are also growing closer to each other as we figure out how to be parents together. He is my best friend and I'm so grateful that he's my sweetheart and the father of my baby boy. Tanner adores him, see:Cutest!

I just felt stretched too thin when I was teaching because I am a perfectionist and I felt like I wasn't doing well as a teacher, a mom, and a wife. I have to do a perfect job at everything or I get stressed and frustrated. I've always been super busy with a lot on my plate at one time. This summer has been the first time in a LONG time, when I have just been able to enjoy life without the stress of work, callings, etc. I know life will usually be busy, which I do like, but it's just been nice to have a break.

Eli and I were talking about how blessed we are last night. Heavenly Father really has blessed us so much, especially with good health, a good relationship, a darling and spunky little boy, good and very supportive family and friends, and good jobs since we've been married. We definitely live within a tight budget and will for a while until Eli is done with medical school, but at least I'm able to stay home with Tanner and he has been able to work at an amazing hospital, Johns Hopkins, this summer.

We are really really hoping that medical school works out this time, but we have learned that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and we will be faithful and trust in him. When he didn't get into medical school last year, we were pretty bummed. It took me a while to accept the fact that we were living in Payson, Utah and that Eli was back at BYU. I loved teaching but I didn't want to extend Eli's schooling by 2 more years. Most of our kids are going to be raised while Eli is in school! Looking back on this past year, I am SO grateful that medical school didn't work out. First of all, we have both made amazing friends - mine at my school and Eli's in his masters program. Our friends bring so much joy into our lives. One of those friends is becoming my new sister-in-law! Andy and Paige never would have met had I not student taught there and then got a job last minute at the same school. I didn't even want to student teach in Payson because I had been trained for an urban environment! I'm glad Heavenly Father sent us to Payson! Also, starting my teaching job a couple weeks before school started and being pregnant for the first half of the year was pretty stressful. Eli cooked dinner every night and helped in my classroom. He helped keep me sane and healthy, something he probably couldn't have done had he been in his first year of medical school. So we are grateful for the way our life has turned out so far and are excited to see what the Lord has in store for us next!

We have one more week in Baltimore before heading back to Utah for Eli's last semester of his MPH. It's been fun exploring the East Coast and we'll miss the lushness of the trees and plants. But it will be fun to be back in Utah (after a 2 week stop for Tan and I in Colorado - yay!). Well, I'm off to sell all of our furniture and go on a few more adventures with the munchkin. Asta la pasta!

P.S. Here's the most darling picture I captured of our little FIRECRACKER and a couple of his top teeth! He got 5 teeth in just one month - youch! But he didn't complain hardly at all. He's the happiest, spunkiest, energetic, little guy.