Easily Entertained

It has been really easy to entertain Noah these days. He will find just about anything funny. Even measuring tapes.

Here are some random pictures from the weekend, I spent most of my time trying to finish my book (I have been re-reading The Host, by Stephanie Meyer). I am glad I finally finished it...now I can get on with my life! It was just as good as I remember it.

Andy Quoted in the Church News

The LDS Church News recently did an article on a district conference that was held for members in the Afghanistan district. You can find the story in the printed version of the LDS news or see the story below. What an wonderful experience it has been for Andy to serve our country and the Lord in Afghanistan. (Be sure to look for Andy in the picture too!)


An Island of Peace in the Middle of War
Published Monday, August 17, 2009
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57771/An-island-of-peace-in-the-middle-of-war.html

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

With an assist from technology, the more than 500 members of the Kabul Afghanistan Military District recently enjoyed the blessing of participating in a district conference with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve, other General Authorities and a general auxiliary leader of the Church.

Church members in Afghanistan are not able to gather together in one location for a district conference. Using technology developed for stake conference broadcasts, General Authorities and district leaders organized and recorded a district conference in two parts — one taking place in Salt Lake City, and the other emanating from the Afghan capital, Kabul. That recording was subsequently burned onto DVDs and sent to hundreds of Latter-day Saints in the five organized branches and numerous forward operating bases across Afghanistan so that all could "attend" the district conference.

(Recordings of the district conference were burned onto DVDs and sent to hundreds of Latter-day saints in the five organized branches and numerous forward operating bases across Afghanistan so that all could receive counsel.)

In the Salt Lake City portion, Elder Holland participated with Elders Dennis B. Neuenschwander and Bruce D. Porter of the Seventy, as well as Sister Julie B Beck, Relief Society general president. That part of the conference was recorded with a congregation of members of the Utah Army National Guard who either recently served or will soon serve in Afghanistan.

The Kabul portion of the conference was recorded at Camp Eggers with the participation of the district president, Eugene Wikle, president of the Kabul Afghanistan Military District, and Carol Thompson, the district Relief Society president.

"The value of the district conference to these isolated members is hard to adequately express," President Wikle said. "We are so grateful for the efforts that have been extended to support these members of the Church."

Captain Tina Breck of the Kandahar Military Branch echoed President Wikle's sentiments. "Being here in Afghanistan far away from family and friends can be very difficult and lonely at times," she said. "When talking to family it is hard to share exact feelings and experiences that we encounter every day. As I watched the district conference, I felt a peace come over me that the leaders at home do have an idea of what is going on and the conditions that we are enduring."

Others, such as 1st Lt. Andrew Stockhoff at Forward Operating Base Shank, found reason to testify of the worldwide nature of the Church. "To me, being in the midst of Latter-day Saints in the middle of Afghanistan is a testament to this great work that we are all a part of," Brother Stockhoff said. "And despite the fact that we were all thousands of miles away from our families, we felt a powerful witness by the Holy Ghost that the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ are as real here as they are back home.

"We witnessed a historic event as the voice of an apostle of the Lord was heard in this small corner of the world for what may have been the very first time. I believe we all left with a renewed witness that God does live; that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all the world; and, perhaps most of all, that He will never abandon even a single one of His children. This is truly the Lord's work, and I cannot help but hope for a day when the voice of the Lord's servants will be heard in this part of the world by many more than just our small few."

Guy Kelley of the Salerno Military Branch succinctly summed up his feelings about participating in the district conference thusly: "I felt the Savior's love for me and a reassurance that He lives and is very much a part of my life." — Michael L. Haller, public affairs representative, Kabul Afghanistan Military District

All I Want for Christmas..

Look's like Noah doesn't have to wish for teeth for Christmas, check out his cute smile. Two bottom teeth included.

Noah's First Camping Trip

This weekend Noah had his first camping experience. I will be honest, I have never been a lover of camping...but we had a good time and enjoyed the company of all our friends from church. Noah got to stay up WAY past his bedtime (10:30pm to be exact) and was so tired that it took him forever to fall asleep. Needless to say he ended up sleeping with me all night. We won't make that a habit. He may not be showing much emotion in these pics...but I think he was just containing his excitement!

Here is Noah with Grandpa, getting ready to take his first dip in 'Warm' River

And here is his 'dip'...literally.

Grandma and Noah getting ready for the fireside program

I know it sounds silly...but even after one night of camping (in a trailer for that matter), I can't wait to sleep in my own bed tonight.

I Got Hurt Feelings

While we were in Utah my cousin showed me this video from 'Flight of the Conchords' called I got hurt feelings. I have never seen the show but I think it's hilarious, and i can't help but sing along with the chorus.

Update on Andy in Afghanistan

Andy sent me these pictures a while back and I kept forgetting to post them. He is definitely staying busy with the job they currently have him working on, and thankfully I think that makes time go by a little quicker. They finally got their own temporary office, which means Andy has a little space of his own for sleeping and working. We get to talk on the phone regularly, and that definitely helps, unfortunately web cam isn't as accessible as we had hoped and so we have only been able to web cam a couple of times. Hopefully that will improve with time as well. Here are a couple of pictures of him. I had to tease him a little, I use to cut his hair before he was deployed....and the last time he went to get his hair cut he said the lady who cut it got a little ambitious with the clippers. Needless to say I told him he had the infamous 'high and tight'...but he is still as handsome as ever. Thanks to everyone for all your thoughts and prayers. We are so grateful!

Another Month Older, and Cuter Too

Yes that is right, Noah hit 6 Months and is cuter than ever. Here are his most recent stats: Weight: 22lbs 11oz Height: 28 inches

I can't believe how quickly he has grown, and how much he is learning. Here are a few of Noah's favorite things right now....

Eating Gerber Puffs, Sweet Potato please.

Chewing on his toes, usually while sitting up

Typing on the Keyboard

Playing Peek-A-Boo

Bath time

Talking.

Making Youtube videos for his Daddy.

Being Tickled.

And many other's. We even discovered a week or more ago that he is cutting his two front bottom teeth. One has already popped through and the other is right behind it. As you can imagine he has been a little crabbier than usual...but still doing so well.

I decided that I wanted to snap some shots of Noah in honor of his 6 month birthday. We had a lot of fun taking these pics, but couldn't get Noah to smile at first. He was distracted by everything around him. So we did our best, it was either that, or he was ignoring me. Could be a combination of both!!

Happy 6 months to my baby boy. I love him so much.

Trip to Utah

It has been a while since I have updated the blog...and lots has been going on around here. Noah hit the 6 month mark (which I will share more about in another post), Andy hit his 3 month mark, we took a short (but sweet) trip down to Utah to see family and friends and I have been training for a 5k. We are keeping ourselves busy, that's for sure. I have also been a mod podging fool, and will podge about anything I can get my hands on!

But most importantly, our trip to Utah. Not only did I get to get my frozen yogurt fix, we were also able to meet up with our good friend Bob who flew in from Korea for his sister's wedding. We had such a great time and of course Noah got to spend a little QT with his cousin (and best buddies) Gus. I only wish we lived closer to Greg and Allice so that we could get together more often!! Note that Gus will be ONE on September 17th and Noah will hit 7 months on September 7th. Noah already outweighs his cousin by a good 4+ pounds! Atta boy! Here are some pics to document our travels....

Noah and his 'Uncle' Bobbo

Gusser and Noah

Noah and I at the Church Museum

As we were reminiscing over the weekend with Greg and Allice, Bobbo and Cammie...Greg reminded me of a funny 'conversation' that took place before I was even pregnant with Noah. While visiting Vegas (I believe that was the time), Allice, being pregnant with Gus, jokingly commented that they would keep having kids until they had at least one red head. Since Allice has red hair, and so do several of her siblings, we fully expected (and still do) several of their children to have the same. Andy has often teased me about having 10 kids, and thinking he would be especially funny says to me, "can we make that same arrangement?" Knowing full well that I don't have any redheads in my family, nor does he (at least not in a dominant form). Needless to say I told him NO, never thinking that one of our kids would sport the red locks. Andy always said that he hoped Gus would be a cute chubby red head...and when I look at our little Noah I have to laugh...I guess you get what you ask for!!

I have so many pictures that I will have to put them in a slide show or something. We really did have so much fun, and even took the liberty of stopping by Hill Air force Base and shopping at the commissary. I will be honest...I miss the commissary!!

We had such a fun time in with Bob, Greg and Allice, and Cammie in Utah. Thankfully Whitney was kind enough to drive down with me and help me with Noah. You just don't realize how much help you need until your right hand man is half way across the world :) I can't wait till we can have another reunion, next time I hope Andy can be there.

Sour Peaches and Projects

I recently started giving Noah some rice cereal. He will be 6 months on Friday and I figured it was about time. I was hoping that it would help him sleep though the night. He actually does pretty well, but still gets up and wants a full meal. Anyway...I am sure many women, including some of you, refuse to feed their baby anything they haven't tried themselves. I am not sure why anyone would want to eat rice cereal, even a baby for that matter. No, I haven't tried it...the thought makes me gag, but I can imagine my face would look very similar to Noah's. Luckily he is starting to get use to the taste, so he only makes this face the first couple of bites.


So since we had the rice cereal down, I decided to see how he would do with peaches. These are just some that my mom had canned and I zapped in the food processor. Apparently they were extra sour?? ha.



If you couldn't tell, the whole family was there to cheer Noah on. He definitely has the best fans!!


In other updates...I have been working on some projects lately. Recently my sister-in-law and I decided that we wanted to have a weekly sewing class with my mom. So for the past two weeks we have been working on our most recent project...aprons! Last night we finished our aprons and couldn't be more proud of the finished product. Keep in mind that I have only made one apron before this and my mom pretty much sewed the whole thing. We had a good time though, and can't wait until next week to start our next project. So here are Megan and I modeling our aprons. (Don't mind my PE shorts from Jr. High!)

You can thank my brother Mike for cutting off my moms head in that last picture! We really had so much fun and want to say THANKS to mom for all her patience and help!!

Also this week I decided to do a little modpodge project. Here are the before and afters...I am so happy with how it turned out and I have become a modpodgin fool!