Summertime Fun!

Oh, the joy of summer! We have spent our days off fishing and gardening. I am so excited about our garden. We've harvested quite a bit of fresh spinach, arugula and cucumbers so far and the tomato plants are HUGE and the brussel sprouts are quite large as well. The carrots are getting close and the onions and herbs are doing very well. It's so nice to pick fresh veggies for your family. It's something I highly recommend.

Here are some pics of the projects and jewelry I've finished and the greenhouse/garden. We just transplanted some more stuff from pots yesterday so Zach had to build a little fence to keep the doggies out. (This has yet to be hung in our bedroom.)
Our greenhouse and garden area.

Why Mommy shouldn't go down the slide meant for kids...

Mommy was trying to help Gavin go down a big, fast slide today at the park when his foot got caught on the side and was twisted and crushed between mommy and the slide as we continued to move forward. His Achilles tendon is strained and he can't walk on it. :(

Other than that tragedy, things are good. The weather is really starting to get wonderful with temps in the mid 70's today. We went down to the river and laid out in the sun while Gavin napped. When he woke up we went exploring along the river's edge and saw grasshoppers (which he called Bees), actual bees and lots of butterflies. Daddy even caught a few friendly butterflies on his finger so we got to look really close and almost touch them!

The hills are turning green and the birds are doing a lot of chirping. I love that the sun doesn't go down until almost 10pm! It is so nice to hear the birds singing and be able to sit outside and read almost until my bedtime. Yesterday it was in the high 60's and we got some major thunder and rain. Zach was giddy with excitement. Weather really get's him all jazzed up!

Catching up

I can't believe it's been like 8 months since I posted last! My bad. :) Anyway, I guess a lot has changed since then: I got a job at Gold's Gym, we bought a house and most recently a puppy named Diesel. Zach was a manager at Macaroni Grill for a short time, but it just wasn't right for our family at that point - long, long shifts, working on his days off - that kind of thing. So, he's back to bartending and serving which is good. He's keeping busy. My job is pretty much the same all of the time except that I finally took my personal training certification test a couple weeks ago and passed. I haven't started training anyone yet - we're not really sure how God wants me to use the certification but I know it will be good. So, for now, I work 4:30 am - 9:30 am Monday through Fri and I've been working Saturday's but we're trying to get me off of that shift.


Gavin is great! He's getting big and strong and fast. He's spitting new words all the time. He can now climb in and out of his crib with ease. Joy. :I He loves having the puppy around. Spring time is rapidly approaching here in Montana. Now, it'll snow for a day or two and then warm up to like 48 and melt it all away within hours (that's what's happening today). The days are getting longer and I'm getting ready for gardening season. We've got a lot of landscaping to do come spring and I'm planning a great big garden! So excited! I went and bought some seeds today and some peat pellets and soil tester. My mother-in-law already has some sprouting plants so I'd better catch up.

In December we drove out to Wyoming and picked up Zach's sister, Summer and her new husband, Fred, and they've been living with us since then. It's taken Fred a long time to find a job but he just started working this week - thank God. They're really great and they've been super helpful with Gavin. Plus, they've got a 2 year old dog that has been a really awesome big sister for Diesel. She wears him out and then he sleeps. It's working for us. He behaves much better after playing all day.

Here are some pics from the last few months:

New Stuff

So, with gas prices sky rocketing, as I'm sure you are all experiencing, we decided to get a motorcycle. We bought an 06' Yamaha R6 this week and Zach is very excited. It's black, of course. He still needs to get licensed so it'll be a few weeks before he's riding it daily, but it should help quite a bit with spending in the gas department. He'll be starting work at Macaroni Grill this coming week and he'll be working doubles for two weeks while they do training and such, so it'll be a little crazy around here. The weather is getting better...I'm afraid to even mention it because it changes so quickly. This is a nice time of year though, it's warm but there's thunder storms and such, so the air has some moisture - it's VERY DRY here otherwise.

Gavin is getting about 5 teeth in right now and we've just come off of, and I'm not even sure we've got them all cleared up, 3 ear infections back to back. Poor Gavin. He's getting so big. He's walking about 90% of the time now, so he's moved into the toddler stage for sure. Not a lot of real words yet though. He calls me Da Da and that's about it for sure, otherwise, it's your best guess. Oh, AND the other day while he was napping he woke up and kind of whined and then tried to lay back down. A few seconds later he woke up again but this time he was whining like he need me, so I went up to check on him and there was a WASP climbing down the rail of his crib! He was stung twice - one on each leg. :( Poor Gavin. Thank God though he was fine a few minutes later and the bites didn't swell, they didn't itch, nothing. They're just little specks now. Phew.

When Zach and I went to pick up the bike the other day we had to drive out to Missoula and it was beautiful with a capital B! We saw 2 bald eagles - that makes 5 since we've been here and the other day we saw 2 foxes, so pretty.

I've been studying, and am a little more than half way through the text book, to get my personal trainer certificate and I will probably be returning to work after that, at least part time. I'm really excited because I think the Lord is going to use this skill to reach young women who, like I was, are so desperate to be "beautiful" as the world tells us beautiful is. Thank God I know the Truth now and I think this will be a great tool to reaching out to those who might be hurting. Thank you Lord.

I just joined a new play group that's really active, so hopefully I'll make some friends. They all seem really fun and nice, so praise God.

The Birthdays

Gavin's birthday was last Monday and mine was on Tuesday. Here are the pictures of the party. I'll post more later.

Scratch that..

Scratch that - we almost bought a house. Again.

Exciting News!

So, I've finally got something worth writing about. Hopefully, I'm not sharing this info prematurely because there are still some hurdles that have to be overcome BUT, we bought a house today - at least, we made an offer that was accepted. Now begins the inspections and, because all homes out here are ancient - like over 100 years old - there are some things that are going to have to be taken care of right off the bat. That being said, this is exciting stuff! It's a bit hard to believe after all of the moving and shaking that Zach and have done since we've been together, if you know what I mean. So, let's all pray that things go well with the inspection and appraisal and that the stress won't be overwhelming for Zach and I. I'll have to post a picture of it after we get the stucco re-done (the main thing that needs to be repaired immediately) and after we paint and all that good stuff and make it ours. It's a tiny little place, but we've got to start somewhere. Prayers are appreciated. :)

Over...

A half a foot of snow on the ground and still falling...No comment.

The Seventies!!

And I'm not talking about an era here, people - the weather! It was 75 degrees today!!!! Maybe the warmth has thawed my fingers enough to type up a little update. We are trucking along here. Zach working at the same place, me here with Gavin, although I did attempt a part-time job briefly. We just weren't ready for it. Everyone got sick at once and the stress made us (Zach) realize how necessary it was to have me here for now. We'll see. We'd really like to buy a house and that might mean a season of work out of the home for me but the Lord will bring the perfect job at the perfect time.

Today was so wonderfully warm that we decided to go for a hike. We packed up the truck, Gavin and Zach's sister's dog, Wolfy and we headed to the mountains. It was beautiful! Then, we came home, made our afternoon pot of coffee (iced, today) and laid out in the sun while Gavin napped. Oh, what a perfect day. Thank you Lord for special times like that.

Right now, I'm cooking up some yummy, yummy pork tenderloin with a citrus and avocado salad to celebrate the warm weather and all the doors are open, fans are going. I just had to share this day with you all. Experiencing winter really makes you relish the spring and summer. I hope you all had an equally great day. Share it with me.

Just the everyday miracles

Hey there. I know it's been a long time but things don't change too much around here - at least not lately. Only Gavin really. He changes daily. These last few days have been wonderful - he's started sleeping much better, eating better, being more mellow...oh what a dream it's been. You can actually hold him - without him fighting to get away - it's AMAZING. I love to hold him and snuggle - I'm told this is what most babies are like but it's foreign to me. :) Anyhoo, Zach is working and doing well - he works at Tony Roma's and he's waiting to here if he's been chosen for the management position that's available at the new Macaroni Grill that's opening next door. I think it's in the bag but they're keeping him hanging. If he gets the position they'll be sending him to California for training for a few weeks. :( I'm doing well - very happy doing the homemaker thing. The family up here is doing well too. It's been snowing for the last few days. It's beautiful but I won't be doing much driving. Anyway, let's get to the good stuff - pictures.

Gavin at his 6 month check up.
On the floor watching Veggie Tales.
Yesterday (at 8 1/2 months) getting ready to eat.

We're Montanans Now!

Quick update - we made it. We are in Great Falls, Montana and have been for a month now. I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to update you, but man, what a month it has been. I still feel like I'm losing my mind. I must have left it somewhere on the highway 15. Anyway, we're living with Zach's parents which is wonderful. They are very laid back and welcoming, so no complaints there. Zach is still looking for work. There are a lot of jobs available but not so many that pay what he'll need to support us if I stay home. He's got a few opportunities that are looking promising at the moment and we're just counting on the Lord to place him in the one that's best. I've been home with Gavin who is growing like crazy. He has changed so much just in the month that we've been here. We just bought him a highchair which he loves, he's sitting up by himself now and even starting to pull himself up. He's STILL teething, so everyday is different but so blessed. The weather is not bad at all. We've actually been really blessed to have temps in the 50's and 60's lately. Today is a bit colder so far - it started around 20 and it's slowly warming up. But we've only seen a very very light dusting of snow about a week ago, so things are good. Praise God that we found a church that we really really like and on the first day we sat right in front of two couples from Santa Barbara. We clicked right away and since they both have small children, one has 2-yr-old twins and one has a 9-month-old, we have some things in common. Praise God. That was one thing I was really praying about - meeting friends. They've taken me to they're favorite shops downtown and had us over for dinner. So, that's been a real blessing. God is so good. Please pray that there would be no spiritual slumber for us - that our faith in Christ would be strengthened daily and that we would be a light to this family. Thank you for checking in and please leave a note.

Bless you.

Tamara

My New Home Based Business

Hey everyone,

Per my last blog, here is the link to my website for my new Creative Memories business. There are so many great products for both seasoned scrapbookers and novices alike. There's even products for people that aren't "crafty" but really need some great gift ideas or have really wanted to create a family album but need something simple and quick to get started. Check out my webpage and feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Thank you and God Bless you!

The Countdown

We're getting so close to our move and yet it doesn't seem real. I think it's because we haven't exactly pinned down a date. We've been waiting on my employer to determine the date on which I can leave (long story). So, we know it's going to be the second week of October and we've given notice at our apartment complex that we'll be out on the 10th but it's still subject to adjustment. But, we're very excited! I've started my business as a Creative Memories Consultant - yeah! The link to my website will be posted later if you'd like to check it out. :) No pressure. We've packed about half of our stuff but you know when you start packing it doesn't seem like much and then you start pulling stuff out of nooks and crannies that you haven't seen since you moved in and all of a sudden your few boxes turned into 50 boxes? I have a feeling it's going to be like that. The funny thing is though that the Lord has completely prepared us for this - for those of you that don't know us very well - we've attempted to move several times. I've counted 5 actual moves since Zach and I first started dating a little over 3 years ago! We've also "almost moved" a time or two when we packed our stuff only to end up staying after God stretched out His hand and turned us around. So, I have to praise God that we are well prepared. I had to tell my family that we are "actually moving this time". We're sad but excited for a new start.

On another note, Gavin is teething. I'm excited but at the same time I can't wait for it be over - he's a mess. He's having a hard time eating and sleeping, he's had a little fever and he's just plain fussy. Poor Daddy, home with Gavin while Mommy goes to work today. I know this too will pass.

I feel like I have so much going on in my head and my heart today...I just can't get it all out. My Spirit is mourning for a family who lost their their 9-day-old baby girl yesterday who was born with Trisomy-18. If you would like to visit their blog and send prayers their way, I'm sure it would be appreciated. I haven't been having (or, I should say taking) my prayer time in the morning and it's been showing. Zach and I have been bickering a little more than usual, so it's really on my heart to focus more on our relationship and lifting him up. I just found out we've got issues with our medical insurance and although I know it's going to get worked out, I'm frustrated. I just got my Creative Memories business start up kit and I'm excited and want to start working on getting that set up, but considering we're moving it's a little difficult and counterproductive to try to set up my business. (I'm trying to get all of these things off of my mind so I don't dump on Zach when I get home - he really doesn't like that). Hhhhmmm, what else....I guess I just have a lot to do and I need to sit down and prioritize.

Anyway, I'll stop dumping on you guys and talk to the Lord and get this stuff down on paper. Bless you and please send me a note if you stop by.

News Flash

Well, for those of you that haven't heard, Zach and I will be taking Gavin and escaping to Montana - permenantly, for now (if that makes sense). We're going to be moving in the beginning of October. We just can't seem to keep still for more than a few months at a time. It's all good though. The Holy Spirit moves like the wind and where He goes, we will follow.

This decision comes with mixed emotions - radical joy because I will be able to stay home with my little angel and deep sadness to leave the place I've been my whole life and the loved ones that will remain. I have been praying my heart out about being home with Gavin and I knew He would come through. Praise God. It's so clearly in His will and in His hands, thank God. Zach and I couldn't do this without Him - we've tried many times in vain.

It's such a difficult thing, to leave the familiar comfort of "home" and those that I love. But, that is what God has called us to - a life of the unfamiliar and the uncomfortable. He is constantly asking us move, speak, think, act and love in ways that we've never done before. That's the beauty of a life in submission to Jesus Christ. We are constantly being refined. Unfortunately, when you have loved ones who aren't living with Christ as the priority, people get hurt and angry with this kind of lifestyle. My one prayer at the moment is that good will come from this. And I know it will because it is His will - "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life" - Psalm 23:6 and "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." - Romans 8:28. Even though I know it, I'm still praying for it. That is the cry of my heart.

Then, the other half of me reminds me that I'm so excited and ready for a change. Putting my angel in daycare is killing me. I've determined that he cries a lot while he is there because 3 nights now I have noticed his voice being all scratchy and hoarse. I thought he might be getting sick but over the weekend it went away and now it's back. :( That makes me very grumpy. I know I should ask our child care provider (she is someone that I trust from church, so I know nothing "bad" is going on and I know she just doesn't want me to worry), but I'm just not sure what to say. I know that he's ok, he's probably just uncomfortable (he is a creature of habit for sure) and stressed not being with his mommy. It just really hurts my heart, you know? I've been reading the blog pages of many SAHM lately and the more I do, the more impressed I am. I believe 100% that being a SAHM is more difficult and takes more discipline than a job alone could require of me. I am constantly learning from these women about organization, creativity, cooking/baking, cleaning, child care, frugality, godliness, marriage and much much more - and that's just from reading their blogs! I can't wait to join this growing group of outstanding women. But, I will be starting to sell some products from a direct selling company to assist my wonderful hubby in supporting our family. I think I'll do scrapbooking with a company called Creative Memories. I've actually never scrapbooked before :) but I'm really interested in it and have just started our first family scrapbook. Plus, my mother-in-law is a very very crafty woman and would love to help me get started (oh yeah, we're moving in with his parents to get started). But, I figure Montana is the place to sell crafty stuff because that's what most people do in the winter when it's too cold to go out side. Anyway, there's the update.

If you've come to visit our page, send me a note. I'd love to hear from you!

What a gift

I've got more pictures to share with ya'll but first I have to share that finally, at 3 1/2 months, Gavin has become the sweet little baby I knew he was. He has become so much happier and playful. He sleeps much better and the night before last he started sleeping through the night. Praise God! God is so good. I started back at work yesterday :( . That is not what the Lord has put on my heart to do - He absolutely wants me home with my son. We're praying about it and looking for Him to clear the way. Anyway, here are the pics. GOD BLESS YOU.

Isn't he cute? Yeah, Gavin is too.

New Pics

He loves the bath but this last picture is not uncommon...it is getting better though. :)

Two Month Mark

I know, long time, no blog. Well, besides not having much time for it, just when I think I know what's going on it all changes again. So I don't really know what to say. We're at the 2 month mark now and I think I see my sanity standing a short distance away. God is so good though. This has definitely been a time of standing firm and learning to use the tools He has provided. Gavin is getting so big - 24 1/2" and 11 lbs. Thank you all for the prayers. I'll post pictures soon.

One month check point

So, we've spent the first month trying to figure out if there's something wrong, or if our baby is just fussy. I think he's just fussy. I wouldn't call it colicky, but he's definitely easily upset and not easy to soothe. Plus, he's a REALLY good eater - which means he's crying a lot to be fed. He's already grown 3 inches and gained 4 pounds! I was worried that he's just eating to soothe himself, but the doctor said that's fine as long as he's healthy. So, ok, I can accept that we just have a difficult baby. As long as I know he's healthy and his needs are being met, I can have tons of patience (with the Lord's help, of course) and I can sit for hours rocking him and relaxing. It's the unknown that's irritating - when you don't know if he's hungry, sick, tired, gassy, hot, cold, etc. etc. and you spend all day and night trying to guess which one it is and each time you get rejected with the same scream that says, "YOU'RE KILLING ME!" - that's what's difficult. Those are the days when Zach comes home only to find the two people he loves the most in tears. It is getting a little better as I get to know his cries and the things he likes and doesn't like and I know this whole "fussy stage" typically ends around 3 months, so, we'll be just fine. The only thing is that it's difficult to have anyone else watch him for any amount of time (so that I can take a shower or just get out a for a bit) because I'm the only one learning what he likes and doesn't like and how to soothe the crying. Well, my step mom Monica has been around a lot. She's been the biggest help and a HUGE blessing - spending a few nights with me here and there so I can get more than 4 hours of sleep, coming over so I can take a shower, taking me and Gavin to his doctor appointment when I didn't have a car, picking up groceries for us. For all that she and I have been through in the past and the way I treated before I knew Christ...man am I blessed that the Lord has put forgiveness in her heart for me. Now, I just have to keep praying that one day she will come to know Christ too. Anyway, gonna get going and prep for the next feeding before I go to bed. God bless.

Update

Well, once again, not much time to write - I've got to get some time in with Zach before he heads off to work and the baby should be getting up any minute for a feeding. I just wanted to let ya'll know that we're hangin' in there. Things are getting better, like everyone says. We're learning more and more about this little guy and about ourselves every day - although the days are all mushing together; I constantly have to be reminded of what day it is. We're learning that running errands takes days instead of hours, the real meaning of patience was way beyond our understanding before having Gavin, eating, taking a shower, and going to the bathroom are luxuries, and we all need help sometimes. Personally, I'm learning, as the Lord has tried to teach me many many times but my pride and fear has always gotten in the way, that you can never have too many friends and you need at least one - your husband doesn't count, that you can talk to about anything. I'm still having a hard time reaching out to people as I've been avoiding making friends for so long, that I don't have that one good friend - and this is a hard time to learn that you need one. I've got many wonderful people in my life, many of which I've started a friendship with, but none that I've known for very long or have spent enough time with - which is my fault. And there are many people that have been such a blessing to us - going grocery shopping for us, calling me (even when I don't call them) to check on me, coming over to spend time and to give me a chance to take a shower and do the laundry, praying for us - Thank you to all of you.

So far, so good

Well, it's been quite a rollercoaster! Emotions are everywhere. The first couple of days were not too bad. It seemed like this was do-able and Zach and I were adjusting wonderfully. After about day 3, Gavin began crying and screaming for hours on end and didn't stop until the next evening when we decided to change the way we were feeding him. We figured he might not be latching on properly so he might not be getting enough to eat. Things have mellowed out a bit since then and we're starting to get into a little groove. Starting is key word here. He's already gained a pound and grown an inch, so I guess he's getting enough now. He eats like most boys - he's a bottomless pit. Zach and I are still adjusting, especially since Zach is now working nights - 10 pm to 6 am - at a new job site. It works out pretty well, but right now it's hard for him to find time to sleep. The awesome thing is that he works right down the street now, so no more one hour plus commute. We prayed and prayed about that, so praise God. My family has been a HUGE help with picking up groceries and coming over just to chat. It gets pretty lonely over here in what I now call "The Cave". That's our house, it stays dark for most of the day to accommodate the baby's sleeping patterns. He is getting better about sleeping at night though. He wakes up for feedings, of course, but he doesn't sit up awake for hours after eating - he goes right back to sleep. If he doesn't, you can find me bent over him sleeping in the rocking chair.

Emotionally, every day is different. I've been having a hard time, which was to be expected with all the crazy hormones and stuff. Poor Zach. I feel like I'm on auto-pilot and the full depth of this hasn't hit me because I'm too busy doing what needs to be done - what I was made to do. It's getting a little better though as I get more and more adjusted. Anyway, enough chit chat. Here are some more pictures.