Being a mom

"Remember dear friends, that you are now doing the work that God intended you to do. Be grateful for the opportunity." Marjorie Hinckley

I've thought about that quote a lot recently because of the veracity of that statement. I truly feel that being a mother right now is the best thing I could be doing. I have been much more content with life than I did when I was focused on a career. It's a personal thing of course, but for me this is where my heart is. It's been especially nice to have my own home to look after again. I actually am enjoying the domestic side of staying home these days but I especially love playing with my kids. There are rough moments and not so rosy days, but overall it's great. Sierra is 2 1/2 and in the last two weeks since we moved to Houston, three new molars made their appearance. The teething and allergies triggered some bad asthma that is finally under control- yipee! I love having my happy imaginative child back. Gideon is almost 9 months and is now rolling over and starting to crawl. He is getting his first tooth so the teething rounds begin again. He is a sensitive boy but also very playful. A huge thunderstorm came through today and he was just mesmerized by the wind, rain and thundering skies. I thought it would frighten him but he just sat in front of the window and took it all in.

We live across the street from the light rail so we take the train often to the library, museums and to visit Craig at work. Gideon does great for about 15 minutes every time, then he just loses it. Sierra on the other hand loves riding the train and talking to all the people who get off and on. I enjoy not having to worry about parking, driving on roads with crazies and paying a ridiculous amount of money for gas. We did use the car to take a little road trip last weekend and drove to Austin (3 hour drive) to visit my brother and Craig's brother. Grandma Forbush was also in town to help with the the new baby Craig's brother's wife had. Sierra couldn't get enough of being with her Grandma. It was wonderful to be around family again.

Happy Father's Day!

Gideon and his new cousin Owen, just 5 days old.

My brother has two little girls that Sierra loved playing with- they are all such little princesses.

Texas

We are here in Houston, Texas now. Some observations:

• Cockroaches are big here! Especially the kind that habitat in crummy motels where we are currently staying while we wait to get into an apartment.


• Blond haired kids must be unusual because everywhere we go someone comes up to Sierra and talks to her and usually touches her. I'm not accustomed to complete strangers hugging and kissing my children. They love the attention thank goodness.


• Flying with children sure beats driving but it's still makes for a crazy day. Gideon woke up everyone in the Phoenix airport with his screaming when he dove out of the stroller and landed face first in Sierra's pizza. Sierra was content nearly the whole way playing with a Mary Poppins Barbie doll.


• Gas is still expensive here as well, even though we can see where it is being refined.


• There are wonderful people in the Summerwood area where we used to live. Attending church yesterday with them was a fulfilling experience.


• Saying goodbye to family in Nevada was much harder than I thought it would be. It's especially hard to hear my little one ask over and over to go to Grandma's house and to play with cousins. We're going to have to make a trip to Austin and Corpus Christi to see family soon.


• Humidity makes for some fabulous feeling skin and outta control hair.


• Being together as a family and having full time employment is such a wonderful blessing.

Gardening with Grandpa. Yes it was cold enough for coats.

Playtime with cousins.

Gideon & Sierra love to swing!