Congratulations Katie and Kyle

Yesterday we had the great opportunity to attend the wedding of two of our best friends in Moscow, Katie and Kyle. It was held outside Lewiston at Kyle's parents home, and the ceremony was beautiful. Special props to Katie for being brave enough to knit her own wedding dress- she's so talented and it looked perfect on her. It's been an awesome two years getting to know these two and we couldn't be happier for them!

One of the things we'll miss most about Moscow is all the friends we've made over the past three years. We've been so lucky at church and work to meet some wonderful people who have shaped our lives in more ways than we ever could have imagined. It's going to be so hard to leave everyone behind when we finally go, but I hope all our friends know what an impact they've had and how appreciative we are of each and every one of them.

First Big Car Trip

This weekend we decided to take a semi-impromptu trip to Great Falls. Darreck had an interview on Tuesday and, although he was originally going to go alone, we decided at the very last minute on Saturday to all go as a family. Darreck and I were both terrified at the prospect of taking Max in the car for seven hours, but he handled it remarkably well. Our car is so loud that the sound lulled him to sleep for almost the entire trip. As always, Darreck and I spent the whole time in Great Falls talking about how we needed a bigger car but, as always, looked but didn't buy one. Hopefully we'll know about the job later this week or early next week.We're both a little jaded about the hunt for employment at this point, but the interview went well and we're cautiously optimistic. We'll see!

What I've Learned So Far

Today is our three year anniversary! Woot woot! I can't believe we've been together four years and married for three already. Here's what I've learned so far:

1. If I smile, nod, and try to look extra cute when he's talking about cars and engines and mechanical junk he normally won't notice that I have no idea what he's talking about.

2. If I constantly tell him what an AMAZING driver he is and how safe I feel with him behind the wheel, I won't have to do any of the highway driving on trips home.

3. Real men actually don't mind sushi, but they would not be real men unless they complained about it.

4. Saturday morning cartoons with a huge bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch deserve the same planning and time allocation as Sunday Sacrament meeting.

5. I can get away with anything as long as I buy him a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle themed something first.

6. His first time snowboarding is on the same life-affirming plane as our wedding and Max's birth. If I don't get that, that's not his problem.

7. Men's clothes stain, tear, and get shredded one month after buying because, and I quote, they "aren't made as well as girl's clothes".

8. Listening to the same childhood story fifteen times and still acting interested is the ultimate sign of love.

9. You can never watch The Karate Kid too many times. That's why they made four of them.

10. My life would be incredibly boring without the love of the most amazing man I've ever met- my wonderful husband, Darreck.

Here's to three great years and the promise of eternity together. I'm the luckiest woman in the world. Love you, Dee!

Farmer's Market

This Saturday we ventured out (during morning nap time, of course) to the farmer's market and to wander arond downtown Moscow. Every summer I get to thinking about how much I'll miss Moscow's charm, but then I just remind myself of what the winters are like!

What these pictures fail to show, however, is how big Max is getting. He's at the tail end of his three week growth spurt, and I swear he woke up this morning with rolls on his legs that were not there yesterday. We had to go buy him size 1 diapers yesterday and this will probably be the last week he'll get to wear his newborn clothes. Not sure why, but it makes me a little sad. He was so perfect when he was born! I just keep reminding myself that it will just keep getting better- a lot like most things in life.

Finally Meeting Mr. Max

We had a fun couple of days in our household! My family came to meet Max for the first time. I really hope that everyone enjoyed themselves, even if our little guy was a little loud. Max saw his doctor on Tuesday and she confirmed our suspicions- Max has colic. Even though Darreck and I are considering purchasing earplugs, the little guy is just too cute to hold all the crying against him. However, if anyone knows of any miracle cures for colic, be sure and let me know!

Here is my dad and my sister Kayla. Kayla had been really excited to meet Max since we announced my pregnancy. It's kind of funny- she's closer in age to Max than to me. I hope they can be close as they both grow up.

Here is great-grandma Necia. She even smiled for the picture!!!!! Somehow we missed getting a picture of my mom with Max, hmm.....

Tired of having no idea what we're doing

This post may turn into more of a vent- be warned. For those of you who have been following our post-graduation mess, we have another interesting twist in the job search. Darreck originally got a position with the state of Montana as a social worker, only to be told one week later that his position had fallen prey to a state-wide hiring freeze. This was hard to take with a a one-week old at home, and we've been pretty upset about the outcome ever since then. However, we got a call on Friday telling us that they were reopening the hiring in Great Falls, but Darreck would have to re-interview for a position he had already been offered! Luckily it's only a phone interview, but honestly people!

If nothing else, we still have grad school in Cheney, Washington lined up if all the jobs back home fall through. However, we would still much rather go back home this summer. I would love to give Max the childhood I enjoyed around my grandparents. If you had asked me a year ago if I would ever move back to Montana, I probably would have laughed but it really is true that having a baby changes everything.

Wish us luck and send out good vibes for the second interview this week. I know that Heavenly Father will provide for us no matter what, but some extra prayers still couldn't hurt to all our friends and family who are into that.

9 Days Old and Counting

We hit another milestone with Max today! His umbilical cord stump fell off this morning, so the little man got his very first real bath tonight. He loved it! Well, he loved it until we had to get him out and dry him off, that is. Maybe he inherited his parents love of the water. Probably too soon to tell, but here's to wishful thinking.

Other good news, Max is also officially off the much-hated billibed. And the clouds departed and angels decended and mom and dad finally got a little bit of sleep... It truly was a miracle.