Moved Down South

We are officially Alabamians. It hasn't really hit me yet that this is where I live now. Hmm... I'm sure it will feel more like home once we're actually in a home. Apartment living is not my fav. I don't really trust the bathtub and some of these carpet stains are questionable. Ick. However, being back with Jason is literally the greatest thing ever. I truly don't think I could have spent another day apart from him.

The car ride from Colorado to Alabama was  l o n g. Like twenty-two hours of straight travel long. We left that morning at 4 AM and got to the apartment at 3 AM central time. We had planned to split up the drive into two days but decided along the way that we'd rather bite the bullet, save a hundred bucks, and just get it over with. Emmett actually did waaaay better than I thought he would on that long of a trip. He's a trooper. I felt car sick on and off, but tried my best not to complain.... too much. As for Jason, he drove the entire way. He's an actual crazy man!

Sooooo glad that's over with!

We've lived here now for three weeks. {That said one week when I first started this post haha. This has been hanging in my drafts for a lil bit.} In that time we've unpacked / cleaned / organized, moved furniture, grocery shopped, done allll of the laundry, barbecued at Ry & Kar's, waited around for oil changes, gone swimming, joined the YMCA, hit the gym, had ourselves a baby-free date night, scheduled doctor's appointments, applied for multiple pediatricians {it is such a hassle to find one here - ugh!!!}, gone on walks, lounged around, watched lots of Bachelorette / Suits / Cutthroat Kitchen episodes, dined out at Taco Mama & Texas Roadhouse, played at parks, hit the splash pad, explored downtown Huntsville, fed the ducks, and driven by the house daily to check on progress. The house is coming along, but it also feels like it's never actually going to get finished. I'll do an update on all that soon. Hopefully. 

I apologize if the rest of this post seems a little sporadic. My mind has been running at a hundred miles an hour lately and I'm finding it hard to focus on the smallest of tasks. I did, however, tell myself that I was going to finish this tonight sooooo it's getting done... whether it makes sense or not haha.

Emmett has adjusted to his new surroundings and temporary home extremely well. It is sooooo obvious how happy it makes him to have his dad around all the time. I can't believe I ever agreed to splitting those two up for so long! Never again guys. The YMCA gym we go to has a huge daycare center with lots of toys and friends for Emmett to play with. It is hands down his favorite part of the day whenever we take him. He gets so excited when we drop him off and never wants to leave! The daycare workers tell us every time we pick him up that he is so easy and good! I love that he gets that interaction here. Emmett also started going to nursery at church and it is the greatest. thing. ever. He has never been able to sit through a full sacrament meeting or Sunday school class. But you put that boy in a room full of toys, snacks, and other little kiddos and he is in heaven! Carly, the nursery leader, has told me every week so far that Emmett is the easiest kid in there. Hallelujah. I better enjoy this hour of baby-free church time while it lasts! Oh and one more thing, Emmett has slept through the night probably six or seven times since we've been here. THIS IS A BIG DEAL. The entire six months we were living in Colorado he slept through the night maybe three times. I'm pretty sure Jason has played a huge part in that. He puts him to bed most nights with a bottle. Finally some relief and a full nights sleep! Have I mentioned how much I missed my husband?????

Here are some pictures of our time here so far.

^^ This boy's morning routine involves a fresh diaper, a warm bottle, a good show, 

a yummy snack, a comfy pillow, and a little mattress. Oh, I love him so much!!!

I love my guys soooo much. 

Reeeeaaaaaal quick I want to share a couple of my favorite pictures from Mar's graduation week. The whole fam + grandparents were together in Colorado and it was seriously the best way I could have spent my final days living there. I love that we got to say our goodbyes to everyone in person! I'm also so happy that Emmett got some quality grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, and cousin time in before our big move :,) Read more about that week on my mama's blog here.

^^ Cutie graduate.

ARE THESE KIDS EVEN REAL?? So so so cute.

Next up: House drama :,)

Mother's Day

Happy Mama's Day! This year was sweet. I felt very loved, very appreciated, and very missed. This past week was kind of a tough one for me. I've been dealing with a fussy/sick/teething Emmett while running off of very little sleep some nights. I felt exhausted, overwhelmed, emotional, and I was missing my guy more than ever before. My sweet parents got me these flowers as an early Mother's Day gift and I don't think they realize how much I needed that at the time. I LOVE THEM.

I went out for a girls lunch on Saturday with my friends Sydney, Jessie, and Sara. I've known these girls since high school and now three of us are moms! So crazy how fast life comes at ya. It was such a yummy and fun afternoon catching up with all of them. Sara was soooo sweet and made each of us a homemade candle for Mother's Day. She is the absolute cutest!!! I want to be more like her.

Mother's day was my favorite day. I heard some things I didn't know I needed to hear and felt recognized for my efforts. Jason messaged me that morning saying, 'I love you! Happy Mother's Day, baby. You are the best part of this family and we are the luckiest in the world to have you.'  *Que the waterworks* He also shared such a sweet post for me online. I love my boys so much and I am the lucky one. 

The rest of the day consisted of church, treats, family, flavored sodas, splashing water, social media posts, melt-in-your-mouth smoked brisket, wedge salads, homemade rolls, a park visit, angel food cake, gifts, and mexican train. It was a great {and needed} day for this mama.

I love being his mom.

I'm happy I was able to celebrate this day with my mom. She really is the best of the best and I am so thankful for her.

I loved taking some time to reflect on the day I became a mother. I feel so, so blessed.

"May I say to mothers collectively, in the name of the Lord, you are magnificent. You are doing terrifically well. The very fact that you have been given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in Heaven has in you."

"Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones."

"Through the thick and the thin of this, and through the occasional tears of it all, I know deep down inside I am doing God’s work. I know that in my motherhood I am in an eternal partnership with Him."

"You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging."

- Jeffrey R. Holland, 'Because She Is a Mother'

Prom Cyclone

As my dad walked into the house after a full day of prom prep, he told us that we had been hit by a prom cyclone. Haha clever. My baby sis had her senior prom last Friday... which is weird because I just had my senior prom! Or so it seems. Shilo came down for the weekend to work some of her makeup magic on Mauri. She looked so so so good! I wasn't much help in the beauty department with Shilo and mom around, but I did photograph the evening! And pictures last forever sooooo ;)

Here are some of my favorites.

HOW GORGEOUS IS SHE?!

^^ The lovely ladies who made the lovely lady even lovelier.

Emmett loved her dress.

What a cutie couple!

And that about sums up prom pictures! I do, however, have some non-prom related photos {mainly of Emmett} that I want to share from that day.

Grandpa kept the little ones entertained while the rest of us were taking prom pics. He's da best.

I love this boy and his crazy, clingy personality!

^^ Supermodel fam

I. Cannot. Get. Enough. Of. Him.