Decisions, decisions

WHY am I so hesitant to go forward with our move to Texas?

There are a lot of factors. I do not yet have a firm contract for my job there. Our house is not yet rented out. We do not have a place to live out there yet. Texas is ugly. No offense, but compared to Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Hawaii, etc, it is just plain flat and ugly. I think the main problem is that I have just not truly received an inspired confirmation that Texas is where we should be going. We felt really good about Oregon, but nothing seemed to point that it made any sense to move there. When I say we felt good, hmmmm, I don't know that I could said it was an inspired good, it just was beautiful, close to home, the mountains, and the beach, etc. And I can't say I feel like we shouldn't go to Texas, or should go anywhere else. But it also doen't make any sense to stay here. We are excited to get on with Corey's education. Confusion...

When we were deciding on where to attend dental school, Corey and I were Gospel Doctrine teachers. In the midst of our decision, while preparing for our lesson, we seriously came across a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants that says, "Go to the Ohio." Answers don't come more straightforward than that!

Why can't we get a similar answer for Texas? (I already checked the Topical Guide and Index- there are no references for either OR or TX!)

November 2009

I have realized that I am just not going to be that person that gets photos printed and put into an album or scrapbook. I have thousands of photos, and I do see them often as my screensaver, but I am going to try to post a few more photos on this blog to share with firends and family. Someday, maybe I'll even have these blog entries bound into a book or something. So here are some photos chronicling Zach's first birthday party and other November events.


Corey's parents came down the weekend before Zach's birthday and we went on a shopping spree to Toys R Us. Zach had an absolute hayday. It made me realize that we don't get out much. He loved this big T-rex, as well as the blue truck, which we ended up getting him. He really loved all his gifts and has been excited to play with each one of them this week.


We had a Mexican Fiesta theme, enjoying delicious tostadas and a pinata filled with candy and toys. He really liked pulling the tissue paper off the pinata and putting it in his mouth. Adam Jack was appaled that we were "breaking the horsie!"


I made this lovely cake, as well as cupcakes that everyone had the chance to decorate. Zach first just started mushing the cupcake and frosting in his hand. Finally, I had to stick some in his mouth, and then he just kept shoveling it in!! He has never had anything so sugary before, and he loved it!!

He has started pushing objects up to the couch and TV so he can better reach and climb and get into trouble.

Zach and his Aunt Erica

Have you ever seen such a cute dad? He often dresses Zach in clothes that match his own.

They are best buds while I am away at work.

Corey hiked Zach's pants way up.

He loved playing in these gloves. The look on his face is angelic!

I was shocked to find this picture on the camera. Corey threatens me if I dare suggest putting bows on my beautiful boy. Apparently, Zack put this one on himself for the photo op while Corey was watching him!! He would make a cute girl, right?! (Don't tell Corey I said that!)

Zach has learned to climb into the toy chest...

but has trouble getting back out!

And lastly, here is the sunset out the back door last night. I am certainly going to miss this place. We put it up for rent a couple of weeks ago. We have one family that is particularly interested, but nothing is certain yet. I got my Texas dental license, but am patiently waiting for a contract to sign so we can look more seriously for housing. It is a frustrating process. We are planning on moving between Christmas and New Years so Corey can begin the semester in January. Nothing is exactly solid yet, so it doesn't seem quite real. I don't want to harass my new boss, but I am getting a little impatient. We'll keep everyone posted once we make definitive plans.

Zachary's First Birthday

I LOVE this kid! Little did I know one year ago that I could adore something that keeps me up all night!! Zachary has been such a blessing in our lives. The first few months were a little difficult as we tried to figure out what he wanted and needed. He struggled with learning to eat properly, and has only recently grasped the concept of sleeping for long stretches in the night. Once he learned to smile, he never stopped! He is constantly smiling and laughing, and has a genuinely sweet disposition. Zach has always been a go-er. He was doing sit ups at just a couple months old. Then came rolling over and crawling. He's been walking since 10 months, and is now starting to climb upwards- YIKES!!! We have treasured every moment we have with this little angel, and look forward to watching him continue to learn and grow.

Where is Halloween?

Halloween is so much more fun with a little one to dress up. We found this little Yoda costume for Zach, so decided to go with the Star Wars theme this year. Corey was a Jedi, and I wrapped my hair in buns and went as Princess Leia. We won the prize for Best Costumes at the ward party, which was a lot of fun. I'm wishing I would've taken Zach trick-or-treating to a lot more houses, because our candy got entirely cleaned out! He was a sweet little Yoda, waddling around just like the real Jedi!

We also had our first real family photographs on Halloween day. I was really excited to capture the autumn colors, and I think they delivered. These are just a few shots that Corey and I got of each other. I wish we would have brought someone else with us to snap one of all of us, because I'm sure the ones the "Pros" took are not going to be cheap! Can anyone photoshop these and combine the two?!