Welcome Home Markus

Today Matt's younger brother, Markus, came home from his mission. He served in New Hampshire. We almost missed greeting him coming off the escalator due to driving around the airport three times because Matt kept missing the parking lane. Needless to say, we were able to see him and welcome him back home. He really did not change much and he acts pretty much the same. Two years is a long time, but it went by fast. He got to meet Carson for the first time as well. It did take Carson some time to warm up to him, but that was to be expected. We picked up his luggage and then had to wait for Matt's mom to show up at the airport because she was running late. Once everyone said hello, we went back to our place for lunch and more visiting and story telling. After a couple of hours to talking, they had to get to Logan so he could be released. Markus was a great missionary and we are all so proud him. We are glad that he is home.

NEW CAR!

Matt and I have been in the market for a new vehicle for well over a year. We knew what we wanted in the vehicle, it was just a matter of what make and model. We wanted an SUV to handle our growing family and to travel comfortably. We liked the idea of being high up on the road and the safety a larger vehicle can give you versus a car. Well this past week my little Hyundai Accent had started to show signs of needed lots of work or retiring, which ever came first. So we started the search yet again to see what deals are out there. We looked at used and new cars and did many comparisons. We also had many talks of how much we could afford for a monthly payment. Both of our cars are paid for and we have not had a car payment for a couple of years. So I had a list of about 10 used cars that we could take a look at and then if we did not find anything we liked then look towards new cars. So on Saturday we packed Carson and ourselves up and headed to Layton to look at some cars. The first car that we looked at was a 2007 Chrysler Aspen 4x4 limited and the search ended. I was afraid that if we saw this one first, we would not look at any other ones and that is exactly what happened. We took it for a test drive and loved how it drove and handled. We talked about numbers because that was a main concern of ours. We wanted to know the monthly payment so we could compare it to other vehicles. Well after much talk and another test drive we decided to get it. It has low miles, the price is way below blue book, it has 3rd row seats, and many other features that we liked. We tend to drive cars for long periods of time, so we liked how it had low miles and room to expand our family without having to upgrade the vehicle later on in life. We don't have buyers remorse and are extremely excited to have a larger more reliable vehicle. It is going to take a while to get used to driving something so big when you have driven a small car for many years. We still have the accent and are now deciding what the best option is for the car. I am glad we have something that will last for a long time and that I don't have to worry about car shopping anymore. Its not my favorite.

Carson story time

Carson is growing up so fast. I really like this age. It is very rewarding and hard at the same time. With spring in the air, we have been going on walks and playing at the playground. Carson loves playing in the sand box. He also likes to eat the sand. He also likes to poke the wood chips with a stick. It is fun to watch him explore and learn new things. When we are inside he points to the outside indicating he wants to go out. When we are outside and it is time to come in he throws a fit. I don't mind being outside, so I am glad he likes it.
Last Thursday we played in the sand box and when we got home he was ready to take a nap. I took his clothes off because they were full of sand and laid him in his crib with just a diaper on. Bad idea. When he woke up, I found the diaper on the floor and the sheets soaked in pee. Needless to say, Carson went straight into the tub and the sheets and blankets into the washier. I could not help but laugh. I did feel bad about Carson sleeping in his own pee, so sleeping in just a diaper will not happen again. Another learning experience for me.
On Friday night, all three of us were in our bedroom playing. I mentioned to Matt that his Rubik's cube was still under the bed. Matt tried to reach for it, but failed. The bed frame is only a couple of inches off the ground, so you cannot crawl under it and it is to heavy to be lifted. So he enlisted Carson to help him. He crawled under the bed and retrieved the Rubik's cube with ease. It was funny to watch. One of the many reason why to have children.
Tonight we needed to give Carson a shower due to sweet potato and bananas in his hair. So Matt hoped in the shower while I took care of Carson's dirty diaper. I got Carson all wiped up and he was crawling on our bed without a diaper on,(while I was finishing up dealing with the dirty diaper) only to pee where Matt sleeps. I handed Carson to Matt in the shower and tried to clean up the mess. I hope I was successful. We now will be putting our mattress pad on the bed tomorrow after it has air dried. Yet another learning experience for me.
I just love being a mom. I love the way Carson's face lights up when he sees me, the hugs he gives me when he gets really excited, the messy kisses and the countless little traits that he has.

Carson - Crib = playing in room

So I went to put Carson down for his morning nap and then I went to lay down as well. I could not sleep due to having a cold and constantly coughing. So instead of lying in bed wishing I could fall asleep, I decided to go downstairs and watch basketball ( it is the NCAA tournament). As I was leaving my bedroom I heard movements from Carson's room and saw a shadow move under his door. I look inside his room and Carson was playing with his toys. I don't know how he got out of his crib. He did not fall out because I did not hear him cry. So now we have to lower his crib. It will then be on the last setting and then comes the toddler bed. Matt will be doing that tonight when he gets home from work. Now it will be even harder to lay him down. Such is life. I was just very surprised to see him playing and not in his crib.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT

So today is Matt birthday. I would say how old he is, but I don't know if he would appreciate that. Anyway, Matt took the day off from work and I only worked this morning. When I got home from work Matt made himself a nice big breakfast, while I and Carson took a nap. I know, I know I should have been the good wife who made the breakfast for him, but he was fine with making it and I really did need some sleep since I had been up since 4:30am. So I woke up and Matt was content on playing on the computer as his plan B. He did want to go golfing, but since it snowed that was no longer an option. So he played while I took care of Carson. Then we went to the mall to look at basketball shoes, but they did not have any in his size. He wears a size 14 and it is hard to find shoe for him.
We then dropped Carson off at a friends house while Matt and I went to Red Lobster for an early dinner/late lunch. Matt has always wanted to go their to eat, so his birthday was a great excuse. I don't like seafood, but Matt loves it. So he got his fill of seafood and I ate steak. It was nice to get out of the house and away from Carson ( who I love dearly) and enjoy some time with just Matt. We then picked Carson up and made a mad dash back home to watch the tip off for the Jazz. Matt wanted to watched the Jazz as part of his birthday so that's what we did. It was even better that they won. Now Matt is playing basketball at the church to top the night off. So I hope he had a great birthday and that he got to do the things he wanted to do. What he wanted for his birthday present was a nice, not to mention expensive, pair of basketball shoes. So he ordered them from the Nike website. He was especially excited that he could custom make them and have them look how he wanted them to.
So Happy Birthday Matt! I love you and am greatful for all that you do and that I get to spend eternity with you.