Here we go again...

We moved to Chicago about a month ago.  It's crazy to think that we are already moving again. 

Sporting our VW shirts!

Tavo got an internship with Volkwagen Group of America.Which means we are relocating to Michigan!

Anyone who knows Tavo knows that this is a dream come true. Getting this amazing opportunity takes me back to when we were dating. As we were talking about our career goals and the plan for our future family, Tavo would tell me about  his dream was to work with Volkswagen. I guess I wasn't a super supportive girlfriend at the time because I remember nodding my head and smiling. In my head I was think the reality of that happening were slim. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I didn't believe in him right away. But now I have all the faith in the world in him and I am so proud of him,  he is making our dreams come true.

The past couple weeks have been busy. Moving is hard work. Especially with a one year old who takes things out of the box as soon as you put them in. His new favorite this is to climb in the boxes along with all our junk.

We have been busy searching for an apartment, and I think we finally found a place! 

We make the move Saturday. 

Wish us luck during this busy week.

Happy Birthday

Today is McKay's first birthday. 

I can't believe it. It feels like just yesterday I was pregnant, and now I have a busy and active little boy. 

We didn't celebrate too much today because while everyone was in Rexburg for our graduation we threw McKay a Dr. Seuss birthday party.

When McKay was in the NICU they had "A PERSONS A PERSON NO MATTER HOW SMALL" all over because the majority of the babies were pretty little (Including McKay at 4 pounds 1 ounce). That inspired the theme for the celebration. 

Until Next Time

Today I had to say goodbye to my brother. 

Carter decided to make the 23 hour drive with us to help with McKay. 

We made it to Chicago right before the big snow storm hit.

He got to spend a week with us here. I am so glad we got this time. 

We had to go see the BEAN.

 

 

And we hit up the Lego discovery Center. 

Got a HUGE chocolate milkshake from Oberweis. 

He left for home today. And he will be missed. 

We hope to see you this summer Carter.

happy new year....from CHICAGO

After a long drive we arrived in Chicago on New Years Eve. Now we are starting the new year as college graduates in Chicago. 

 

 

After a lot of prayer and pondering we felt that this is where we need to be. 

and we are excited about this change in our life!

I know I am a day late but...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here are some pictures from our GRADUATION

And I think every baby has to have a picture like this with 

SANTA

One Thing I have Learned from My College Career

I was recently thinking about my first semester of school.

I was a nervous 17 year old ready to conquer the world.  I was excited and nervous for what the next four years would hold.  If I could go back in time and offer that 17 year old girl one piece of advice before I began my long journey of education it would be this:

Do what you love. Even if it will never provide for your family financially, even if it seems like a “silly” degree.

I started school as a nursing major hoping to go to medical school. I wanted a successful career.  Through many trial and errors, including changing my major only 3 times.

I finally decided what I wanted to major in……

Marriage and Family Studies

Most people who know me would admit that this is not a field anyone EVER saw me going into.

To be honest I always saw it as the “mommy degree.”

Now that I am wrapping up my last semester of college with a

Bachelors of Science in Marriage and Family Studies

I can see the importance of following your heart and doing what you love.

I know it was divine intervention that lead me to this course of study, and I couldn’t be happier with my studies.  I have loved all of my classes and I know through my course work I am prepared to defend the traditional family and build our family.

When I was a freshman I saw myself chasing what I thought would be my dream.

I think many who enroll in college focus on what will bring them money and therefore “happiness”

But I give this advice as I prepare to graduate in THREE days.

Do what you love. Find something that you are passionate about and go forward with your education. It  was a sacrifice and definitely a long road but I am grateful I made the decision to continue with my education.

This weekend we had the opportunity to spend time in Utah with my family. 

My brother had a cheer competition on Saturday. 

Go Herriman Cheer!! 

I loved having the opportunity to watch the team perform. I know they had worked hard on their routine and they did great! 

(sorry my pictures are a little blurry)

Since we were practically downtown we took the time to go see the Temple Square Christmas Lights. 

We bundled up in our coats, hats, and gloves and decided to take the chance with the weather. 

I think we went at the perfect time, there was hardly anyone there and we just got to take in the scenery.  

I loved just being on Temple Grounds. There was such peace and I knew in  my heart that is was the house of the Lord where Families can be Forever.  It was an amazing time to reflect on the true reason for Christmas. It isn't for the presents under the tree, or for my favorite holiday treats. Instead it is a time to reflect on our Savior and His light in our lives. It's a time to do as He did and serve those around us. It's a time to spend with loved ones who mean the most to us. 

When it Rains it POURS

So the past couple weeks for our family have been a little rough. I guess we can say it’s the storm before the calm (i.e. graduation.)  

Let me explain a little…

Last week Tavo’s computer got knocked off the couch and the screen broke. After some handy repairs by Tavo. (I was impressed that was able to completely take apart his computer and put it back together again) We got his computer back up and working again.

But while his computer was broken, we were sharing my computer and it got knocked off the desk and completely broke. Nothing cosmetic was wrong but the hard-drive was bad and the motherboard was broken.  This ment that neither of us had a computer, and all of Tavo’s classes are online.

Having a very active 10 month little boy and trying to do all your homework in the library with him is extremely difficult. As we have proven it’s not impossible but it’s definitely not easy.

Luckily we only had a week of that mess then we got Tavo’s computer up and working again.

HALLELUJAH (being sung in an angelic voice)

Only to have it break again when we were in Utah visiting my family for a mini-Thanksgiving because we wouldn’t be spending Thanksgiving with them.

(yummy mini-Thanksgiving)

(I took Tavo to his FAVORITE Restaurant Tucanos

 for his big 26th birthday!)

We finally broke down and bought a new computer. It is so nice having a computer at the house again.

This trail has really taught me how important our attitude is. I am not going to lie there were quite a few tears shed by me these past few weeks trying to handle our course work with no computers.

In the middle of all this we found out that McKay had bronchitis. It just felt like things were slowly piling up.

(Snuggling when McKay was sick, but he's doing better now!)

Then I began to realize how blessed I am.  I have the opportunity to attend a wonderful university where I am learning about how to strengthen families, I have an amazing husband and little boy, I have made some amazing friends this semester.

I realized that I don’t have anything to complain about. I changed my attitude and it made all of this easier to handle. 

I learned the only difference between a good day and a bad day is my attitude.