birthday boy!

It may have been past midnight. And I may have been sitting on a plane longer than expected. (I hate planes. Have I mentioned that?) And I may have been sad and missing my momma. And I may have been completely exhausted. And I may have had shin splints (because we may have done that much walking). But the words, "we're nearing our decent into Anchorage" may have made every little sorrow and sleepy thought exit my mind. Husband. He was just minutes away. I couldn't sit still! I couldn't wipe that stupid grin off my face, and I couldn't stop looking out the window, anxiously awaiting our landing. As always, I sped walked my way through the airport, resulting in a sweaty mess at baggage claim. But there he was :) And there I was, holding a birthday banner for the five minute 24 year old! That smile, and those oh so amazing hugs will never get old :) I was home. In his arms. That is my home. He is my home.

I was able to bring the birthday boy lunch between class and his preceptorship (He is working with a pediatrician this term! Wouldn't he be the best with little kids?! They were all amazed at how tall he was! :) Go figure!). And, of course, we had pizza for dinner :) Followed by carrot cake! Many presents, cards, hugs, kisses, texts, and phone calls later, we settled down for bed with smiles on our faces :)

Handsome, isn't he? :)

To my husband: Happy Birthday! Again, yes. After all, it is still your birthday week :) This was your third birthday we've shared together, and by far my favorite of them all. It has been such a privilege to be with you, to watch you transform to the man you are today. To the incredible man you are today. I am so proud of you, so inspired by you. You have such a huge heart, Stephen, so open and loving and giving, and you continually let me climb further in. I have found my home in you. And in that home I will dwell, all the days of my life. For the next 24 years. And the next 24 years after that. To you, on your birthday, I wish you all the happiness the world can muster! I wish you love and smiles and laughter and easy tests! ;) I wish you excitement and adventure, challenges and triumphs... I wish  for you God's love and grace, and the heart to continue in this life the path that has been set before you. I love you, Stephen. For forever and a day, with all my heart. 

I am so happy you were born. 

planes, trains, and automobiles

One birthday down, one to go! Ashley's birthday was a success. Full of family, fun, and super yummy dessert. I am already missing her and her cutest baby, who is officially one month old! Oh how time flies...

The day after, and first thing in the morning, momma and I headed off to Boise to catch our flight to Seattle. The drive was just as long as it was on our way in to Pocatello and it was just as dark at 5 am, but we kept each other awake and entertained. Minimal yawning. One quick and easy flight to Seattle and our little adventure began! We were too excited to be tired! Our hotel was right next to a two story Anthropologie and a three story Forever21! I had to keep reminding myself the purpose of the trip was to look for apartments! Look for apartments... Look for apartments... Though we did find our way into a few stores ;)

First a car, then a plane.

And then a train.

But we made it! To the 11th floor of our hotel!

A little loopy... Maybe?!

Sunday was shopping day. And shop 'til we drop, we did. 

We spent Monday on campus. Looking for apartments, shopping at the bookstore (where we took a photo of every anti WSU shirt we could find for daddy), visiting the Kappa house, enjoying all the greenery... Stephen and I went on a road trip to visit the campus last year when we found out he got accepted, but this was only my second time there. It's such a pretty campus, too! I love all the old buildings! We got lucky and found ourselves in a second day with no rain :) We also found a couple of apartments! One we had already looked into, married housing through the university (how cool is it that we can apply for married housing because we're married?!) and the other, a cute little place with lots of character just two blocks off of campus. It's still too early to pick and choose, but we've made progress!

(Sorry daddy, my husband's a husky)

Wednesday, our last day, was our odds and ends, day, as you will. We had yet to go the Public Market, we still wanted a few more items at the mall, and I had never been to the Space Needle. Apparently, and sadly, the market is seasonal. Or so it seems. The usual vendors were there, but many were missing. Christmas may be over, but did they not remember Stephen's birthday?! Phooey. We enjoyed our morning sipping Starbucks (from the very first Starbucks!), eating donuts and fresh fruit, having a camera war, over looking the water.

And on to the Space Needle! It had started to rain (I think Seattle was sad we were leaving) so we weren't all too interested in walking around the Seattle Center. So momma had the brilliant idea of going UP the Space Needle! Because the wind and rain won't reach us there...?! Not quite... It was so cool, though! Happy we made the climb :) It was such an amazing view of the city! Awesome experience :)

Back on a train. Back on a plane. Saying goodbye to momma at the gate wasn't any easier than our usual goodbye at security. I am so happy I got to spend those few days in Seattle with her! It is never a boring time when we are together :) I'm so very, incredibly, unbelievably thankful for the trip to Idaho, too! My parents continue to spoil me every day. Though their unconditional love is all I want :) You two are the greatest, truly. I am so thankful, proud, and happy to have you two in my life. I love you both! Times forever!

babies and birthdays

The one thing Pocatello has plenty of? Wind. It may be 71 degrees (don't tell Stephen), but the wind has been blowing like crazy! So sunny out, though! I've loved waking up to the sun shining through the window in the morning. I don't care that it's at 7 am. It's beautiful.

Thursday night my parents and sister and I went out to sushi! An early birthday dinner for Ashley. I may not be a fan of sushi but the spicy chicken lettuce wrap?! Delicious! We spent the majority of our time trying to imitate Miss Harper Jean and her ever so popular forehead wrinkles... Apparently, she gets 'em from her aunt Allison.

What else have I been doing with my week here in Poky?

Falling so in love with the cutest baby girl, EVER! She is so precious and I am so thrilled she is apart of my life. I know that Stephen would love her just as much and I'm sad he's not here to share in the smiles... I have been missing that man like crazy! I cannot wait to jump into his arms, but am looking forward to my Seattle adventures with my momma! We leave at 5 am (bright and early!) for the Boise airport, then on to Seattle for a three day apartment hunting/shopping trip in the rain!

And a special 'hello' and 'Happy Birthday!' to the beautiful brunette currently sitting downstairs in the living room. Today is Ashley's birthday! 25! Half a century old, as cousin Stephanie said ;) You are an amazing person, Ashley! Beautiful inside and out! Harper is so lucky to have you as a momma! I am so proud of you and love you so much! I will be missing you like crazy! So how about I go back downstairs and hold your baby and sit next to you and make momma order pizza? Sound good? Ok!

Love you, sissy la la!