Our de-stress trip to Dixie

Well, Saturday, the fifth we packed up and headed to the Boise area to see our new place for the first time. Mom and Dad were so great in helping us watch Owen, plan, and pack away all our stuff! We are sure missing them and the girls! Kortney and Katelin came with Owen and I in the car while Kent drove the pickup and Uhaul. They were life savers; as Owen had a few fits in the car. Then Lance, Kelsey and Jaeger graciously spent thier day in town so they could be there when we arrived, later-than-planned, to help us unpack. Further, our heat was not turned on by the gas company so the house was very cold, ugh! Again the gracious Peterson's invited us to thier home for two nights and we had a fun chat, play and superbowl party. Monday we wore coats all day awaiting our gas to be turned on and trying to unpack. Believe me, we called the company plenty of times before moving, during moving and Monday and they had the gall to tell us to wait our turn and go buy a space heater for our baby! ANYway, on Tuesday we headed out to Washington to spend some time with Kent's family as our schooling and work wouldn't start till the following week.
Kent got in on the "preparing" of the family chickens for dinner. He also went coyote hunting every day but one with his brother and Dad. Us girls, Beccah and I, went shooting the first day and we are both excellent shots if I do say so myself!

You better believe the girls got thier craft on! I brought some silk and buttons so that we could make flower clips, headbands and pins! All you do is cut varying sizes of circles and candle flame the edges to make them crinkle then you glue the layers togehter and voila; attach to your choice of findings. (Picture of finished product to come!)

Owen joined the cool crowd to furniture shop for couches, table, chairs, etc!

Bec, my sister-in-law, had some unused chairs in the garage that she offered to us. So we went shopping for paint and fabric! Tons of fun! Here is the before of one of the chairs and ................................................................................................................................................................

THE AFTER!

My kitchen is red and turquoise and these chairs are perfect! My MIL helped me shape the foam and staple the fabric onto the chair seats! And later I will find two more chairs to refurbish and complete the set!

We had a fun week of good company and good food. Owen ran around talking and kissing everyone and they loved it. We attended the Walla Walla stake Valentine's dance and that was fun if not awkward for us as we have four left feet ;)

5 Random thoughts on the brain

1. I just spent the last 15 minutes searching Mickelle's blog because I swear there is a picture of Revan that flashed in my mind when I saw a smiley picture I took of Owen yesterday. Can't find it but I really see the Wilson gene in them. Random, remember.

2. I haven't posted much about the last 6 months because I am not really an open person, especially on a blog, but sometimes its good to get it off one's chest and my journal is packed away somewhere. But can I just say, I really hated living in a stinky old house in the boonies with an old lady. Yes, it was my idea but lets just say I about cry whenever I think about it. It has been so much better hanging at mom and dad's for the last few weeks. way nice. But, we are ready for our own space and I am so greatful that Heavenly Father has helped us know what to do next. Kent wasn't going to attend CWI until the fall but I just started thinking and making calls and now we are going to Caldwell early and I just know He has had a hand in all our decision making. So I just want to say that all of us have our trials and the light IS at the end of the tunnel. I am still scared that things could fall apart any minute but I am trying hard to have more FAITH. And I am really proud of Kent and his willingness to go back to school for nursing. It won't be easy but we feel it will be worth it.

3. Most of the time I don't notice it because I am with him every day but, Owen is growing up! Last night we were at the restaurant and Owen sat in a booster chair (which I was bugged about because I didn't want him climbing on the table and hanging on me) and he was so good. Kent gave him a crayon and showed him how to color and he did that off and on and didn't loose interest. He sat still and ate rolls and french fries. At the end he peeked over the edge and smiled at some other kids. He didn't fuss once. It was so so cute; he looked so grown up.

4. Kent has a low tolerance for crying and sometimes Owen drives him crazy but I have noticed thier special bond more and more. Owen always wants to go see or sit by Kent when he is studying or reloading. Owen and Kent have a special handshake. They high five, then pound it, then touch finger-to-finger (like ET). It is adorable. And this last month Owen has let Kent cuddle him to sleep. SO adorable.

5. I am going to make a really, really big effort to go to the Wilson reunion this year. I love glimpsing everyone's lives through blogs but I want to see all the cousins and aunts in person. SO. Doesn't everyone else want to make a pact with me to try really hard and attend? :)

Developments at 16 months :)

This little cutie tries hard to have conversations; you know incoherent words said by baby; semi-coherent words by mommy, daddy, grandpa, or grandma. Back and forth talking; its so fun!

This look is from the flash I decided. But maybe that molar coming in is giving him a little pain?

Owen's newest words are no and nice. Kinda go together when he is swatting and hitting at the face, eh? He also says puppy all the time and tries to say kitty and please. He is saying "HI" alot better and sometimes "bye."

He loves to give kisses and now is starting to give hugs. I love fake crying cause then he stops what he is doing and comes over and hugs me :)

Owen loves to mimic our actions; just today he wiped his mouth with a napkin and fake burped. So funny.

He loves to have things opened and he thinks you put everything on your lips, like chapstick. It has made for a few marker and pen faces....

This kid will eat pretty much anything now! And I have finally been able to stop giving him a sippy cup in the night. (No, he still doesn't sleep in his own bed and he still wakes up once crying and kicking. Little by little, right?)

This cutie has no fear! He climbs and climbs; on the table, dishwasher, bed, toyhouse... He also slides down the stairs at a speed that is way too fast!