Viva Las Vegas

Tuesday morning I crammed all this stuff into a duffel bag, loaded it up in the back of my moms car and started the 5 day trek to find a home in Las Vegas.

The trip was stressful, but successful indeed. I (with the help of my mom and sister) found a fabulous home for our family in the Spring Valley area of Vegas. At least thats what I think its called. Its in a gated community called Rhoades Ranch, complete with a pool, water park and playgrounds. I love it. Pictures to come soon.

So craziest thing. I am moving next week. I knew it was coming, but today it is actually NEXT week. Not a 'few weeks' or 'the middle of May', but next week. It is still surreal and I am still trying to wrap my head around the idea that I am actually leaving Pocatello. Don't get me wrong, I am excited to start this new adventure, but I'm still a little scared/nervous. I have a million different emotions running through my head and much like when I was pregnant with Beckett, I am having a hard time sorting them out.

So I know there is a handful of you that read my blog that have moved from away from family. What is your biggest piece of advice? What are your words of encouragement? What have you learned? I am dying to know!

Easter Fun

Happy Easter! I was informed I had been neglecting my blog this week. Sorry, things have been crazy around the P house as of late. There seems to be loads of things to do before we start our new adventure, but a major lack of time and motivation. My mom, sister and I (+ kids) are headed to Vegas to find a home on Tuesday, hopefully it will be a rejuvenating trip and I will return recharged and ready to go.

This Easter was nice. I had a little bit of deja-vu as I got Beckett ready for church this morning. He wore Taydens first Easter outfit.

Who's who?

Tayden had so much fun during the Easter Egg Hunt at the park, minus the CRAZY parents that were literally scooping up eggs for their children (don't even get me started), we decided to have our own at my parents house. He wasn't as excited as at the park, but boy-o-boy does he love his 'fish eggs'.

This is a little blurry, but I love a true Tayden smile!

Happy little Beckett Boy. I could kiss that little chubby smile all day long!

I hope everyone had a few minutes this Easter Sunday to remember the life, death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. What a beautiful blessing that we have been given.

He lives. He really lives.

Well, my husband is literally exploding with excitement at the idea of 2 Walmarts, Popeyes Chicken, Sams Club, Panda Express, Lowes, and the UPS store are all within 5 miles of our prospective home. He really wants me to join in the celebration.

He promised me popcorn!

I think I will.

Answer key for Who's Who's? Beckett is on the left, Tayden is on the right.

Did you guess it right? Let us know!

Bear World

We had a party in Mom and Dads bed on Saturday morning. When I woke up to this:

I knew it was going to be a great day.

We loaded up the boys and went to bear world!

( I am a little embarrassed of Taydens outfit. I thought it was going to be all gross and icky, so I put him in some not so nice clothes. )

We drove around and looked at all the animals. Which Tayden absolutely loved.

Then, we got to ride a train!

Which was awesome.

Because trains are the best.

We headed over to the petting zoo and quacked at some ducks.

And fed a deer.

We even got to pet a real baby bear!

Then it was back to the trains.

Because trains are the best.

See how much he loves them?

The ride sizer said he was big enough to go alone.

But riding with mom is still fun!

We pretended to be bears.

And finished the day with a little to close for comfort encounter with a moose.

I knew it was going to be a great day!

I CAN do Hard Things

Scott has a school project thing tonight. He won't be back until late. That left me with two little boys to put to bed...on my own. For some people, this may be an easy task. For me, not so much. Tayden has quite the lengthy bed time routine and Beckett is learning to fall asleep on his own, which sometimes can take quite a few trips back and forth to sooth a fussy baby. Anyway, I have been nervous all day about it. Playing different scenarios in my head, trying to decide what approach would be best for this evening. I knew it was going to be a challenge.

But you know what? At 9:08-both boys were in bed.

It made me realize...I CAN do hard things.

WE can do hard things. Sometimes we wonder if we are going to survive heartache. We think that me we are too weak to take on a hard challenge. We ask, 'why us?'. We never think we will see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are scared to face a trial head-on.

But, we can do hard things. We can do hard things because the Lord has faith in us to do them. We can do hard things because HE is sharing our burden, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem (putting two kids to bed). He shares it. We can do hard things because that is who we are as children of God. He has asked us to do hard things and we respond with victory. The Lord has made us strong. He has made us purposeful. He has made us individually. He has made us great.

This is a small lesson I learned tonight that will make a huge impact on me directly as I move to Nevada. There will trying times ahead of me, but I know I can do it. I can do hard things. I know that in him all things are possible.

I CAN DO HARD THINGS.

And so can YOU!

Photoshoot and some GREAT news!

Does anyone else find humor in the fact that there is nothing to blog about for a whole week and then in just one day there is about 5,000 things to talk about? I do.

First up, my little sister (in-law) got married Saturday. It was a wonderful day and deserves a post of its own. And once I can steal some pictures from her I will do just that. (Deal Sharlee?) For the wedding, my little family was assigned the color blue. I'm not going to lie, we looked hot! I could have stared at my boys in their matching outfits all day long. They were so handsome. I asked my MIL to snap some pictures of us all matchy matchy and had to laugh when I looked at the results. It sure is hard to take a family picture with two little boys. Especially when the little toddler was sick and the other baby was hungry.

Trying to soothe a hungry chub.

Coaxing a tired toddler to smile.

Moms obviously not ready.

Big brother is more concerned about little brother.

Come on boys. One picture? (Like my new 'do'?)

Almost perfect.

I guess you take what you can get!

Can't wait to see the other pictures!

Now, for the GREAT news. Hubster got a job!!! We will be moving to Vegas in May. That is just a few weeks away and I am so excited! I am extremely nervous, but can't wait to start our new adventure. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of my husband. This job has been his goal for the past 2 years and today, he achieved it! I couldn't be more impressed with him. He has always provided for our family, no matter the sacrifice and continues to do so. Its so comforting to know that the Lord answers our prayers and has an intense interest in our family. I know we are supposed to go to Nevada and there is a purpose for us there. Can't wait to see what it is!

And, lastly...I already updated today about our sweet puppy Tanner. Read the post if you missed it!

XOXO

Hard Stuff

This is probably the hardest post I have had to write....ever. I'm crying my eyes out as we speak, but somethings have to be done, no matter how much they break your heart. I am looking for a new home for my wonderful little Pomeranian, Tanner. You see, we sold our house and have to be out on the 15 of May. Where we go next is unknown. Scott had a promising interview in Las Vegas and we are hoping for an offer in the next few weeks. If we do in fact go to Vegas, we can't take our pup. With Scotts hours + apartment living, a dog would be next to impossible. What if he has to go potty during the day? I won't be able to let him out in the back yard. I can't pack up the kids every time he needs to go out and certainly can't leave them in the apartment while I take the dog out. And thats just during the day...the night would be a nightmare. What if we don't go to Vegas you ask? We will be in an apartment elsewhere. Either in Pocatello or another city. We have weighed our option endlessly and we feel the best thing to do is give up Tan-Tan. It's honestly the best situation for everyone, including him.

So, here is where you come in. Will you please help me find a home that will love him as much as we do. I refuse to put an ad in the paper. I don't want to just give him to anyone. I want to take the time to make sure Tanner is loved and goes to a good family.

Tanner is the sweetest little dog. He is extremely loyal to his owners and with a little time and patience will be to new family. Although he is used to Tayden, he would probably do best in a home without small children. He is the fastest little dog and loves to play ball both inside and out. This sweet lap dog is the best cuddler. He is content to sit on your lap or at your side for hours. He is pretty well trained and knows all the basic commands plus a few tricks. He tends to bark, but with a little time and effort could easily be trained not to. I just can't say enough good things about him. I love him with all my heart. He has been my loyal little buddy for 4 years now and I want nothing but the best for him.

If you know of anyone that is interested, please let me know. We will provide everything he needs to make the transition easier. His kennel, bed, toys, food, leash, collar, etc. I am also willing to travel (within reason) to give him to a good home. Thanks for your help. It's tearing me apart, but it is a little easier knowing I have good people helping find him a good home.

Tubby Time

Our boys really love bath time. Tayden thinks its awesome that baby brother gets to take a bath with him and Beckett loves the water. Tonight, Tayden was being silly with his toys and a little water was splashing on B. He must have loved it because we heard him laugh for the first time. I ran to grab my phone so I could record it. I didn't get a huge laugh, but I caught a small giggle. He is growing up too darn fast. Love my boys!