Happy Happy Birthday Poppy Dear

Happy Birthday Daddio!

What a guy, huh?! This is my dad...he doesn't normally look like this, in case you were wondering! Yesterday was his 48th birthday. I wish we could have been there for his birthday, but there's only so much that can go on so his 48-year-old heart doesn't get over-excited! (Hehehe) No really, I wish we could have been there, but a blog post will have to do.
My dad is an amazing person. I am so grateful to have had him as my dad. I'm not sure he'd say the same about me in my teenage years, but so it goes. I thought my dad was too tough and mean, of course, but hindsight is 20/20. I would not be the person I am today without my dad pushing me to try and be the best I could be. He set a high standard because he believed we (the kids) could meet that standard. I am grateful that he did because I learned to push myself. I've learned to never settle because there is always work to be done. Through your continual efforts and a Savior who was willing to sacrifice for each of us, being perfect becomes achievable. My dad not only asked that of us, but he was and still is a great example. One of the things that I've always admired in my dad is his integrity. I've never known anyone who was so true to their real self and I hope that that will be said of me. If it is, I know that it will be because of the great example my dad set. He is hard-working, loving, honest, funny, and determined. He is talented and smart, pretty much has it all! Apparently those gifts (plus an amazing mothers' talents) don't all come together in one child, but I sure wish they did. I guess they are something that we can strive for and hope to gain over time! Well, that's a little blurb about one of the most important men in my life. Love you Poppy! We can't wait to see you soon!

The tell-tale Dad eye-lid flip...still gross!

Not sure what to call this one? :)

Afton sure does love Poppy!

What a good Poppy! (My red-eye remover made their eyes look creepy.)

Can You Believe It?

I am so excited, surprised, grateful, every good word you can think about...at this moment. I cannot believe how the Lord takes care of us! We just received the news that Tad got a job! I think every one involved in this process was so inspired that it just had to happen this way. Tad's brother, Scott and his wife, Stacy, live down in Round Rock, Texas. They have a home teacher that has recently started his own business. Tad had just talked to Scott about us deciding to move to Texas and he passed out Tad's resume to a few people. He had asked this home teacher if they wore hiring and low and behold they just posted a position on craigslist. Scott gave him Tad's resume and told a little bit about what we were looking for. Well, last week Tad had a phone interview with this guy and the next day had another phone interview with his wife, who also has part in the business. They said that the beginning of this week is when they would let us know. Today, Tad called me on his lunch break asking me to check his email and he had one from this guy. They were informing him that after much prayer and consideration they felt that he was the best person for the job! I was shocked! It wasn't that I didn't think Tad could get the job I just didn't expect it all to happen so soon. What a confirmation to our prayers! We have felt very good about moving from Rexburg and have continued to seek answers in this process. Texas was always a good option and Tad felt especially good about it...so here we go! We are headed to Round Rock, Texas!! We will be much closer to both sides of the family and within a few miles of his brother and sister-in-law! (We can't wait Scott and Stacy! Oh and if we do happen to be in the same ward, I would love to work with you in YW, Stacy! That would be sweet, seriously!!) Not to mention, we will be able to go to a few Longhorns games! Boo-yeah! What a life!

Tad will need to start as soon as possible, which means about a week and a half. Our contract here is not up until April, but hopefully we will find someone to take it over. Who knows where we will live yet (hopefully a nice little starter home!) and what else will happen but what I do know is that we are watched over by a loving Father in Heaven. He has heard our prayers and blessed us with so much more than just our needs. In our time here in Rexburg, we have grown and been uplifted and strengthened. I can't imagine how our lives could have been any different and I am so grateful to my loving Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. I would not be who I am; I would not have a great husband who is willing to provide for this family; I would not have two beautiful daughters who teach me more than I could learn otherwise. We have met some amazing people and been blessed with great opportunities to serve and we have a temple within minutes of our home! I will miss this place, where I have learned to be the person I want to be, but I am excited for what is in store for us!

New Hair

Well I braved it! I had been thinking about Afton's beautiful locks getting the chop and decided it was time. I love her long hair with the little ringlets on the end but she really didn't like having to get her hair brushed and fixed every day. I thought she might like having short hair, easy to push out of the way and I wouldn't have to fix it every day. We can still do little hair-do's but it's much easier to handle. She seems to like it and I rarely see her anymore pushing out of her face. Tad kept telling her that she looked like her Aunt Lela all day. Eventually she quipped back, "No, I look like Aunt B!" We both laughed at that. I think it turned out pretty good for my first little girl haircut. I've only cut hair a few times but luckily my dad has tried to teach me some techniques and I just happen to love all those makeover shows! Hehehe! I did check out a couple of youtube videos on hair cutting. It all worked out pretty good and she was so good. She got pretty antsy at the end. Since she was so good we took her to McDonalds for dinner and let her play in the play area for about an hour. I can't believe what a little grown up girl she looks like now and only today did I actually want her cute ringlets and long hair back...only for a second. I'm just not sure if I'm ready for her to be such a big girl! I bought that dress for her and got a matching one for Reesa but of course I forgot to take a picture before church so maybe next week I'll have a picture of them both!

Our Christmas

So finally here is our Christmas update. It was so good to be able to start our first Christmas as our own family. The girls were so cute and loved just opening presents and spending time together. We loved every minute of the holidays, making decorations, putting up the Christmas tree and other decorations, playing in the snow, reading stories about Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus, doing our advent calendar every day and especially having daddy home pretty much every day! I am so grateful for this holiday and the extra time we are giving to spend becoming closer! 

Afton and Reesa in their matching pj's on Christmas Eve!

Afton digging into her stocking

 Tad showing off how full my stocking is! I'm so amazing! Hehehe...

 I don't really remember what Reesa is doing it, but it's too cute whatever it is!

 Tad is trying out his guitar...oh yeah!

 Here's Afton with  some of her presents.

 "Look at my husband, y'all!" He's a goober!

 She is sooo happy to have a full tummy!

 Reesa with her presents.

 Just playing

 Picture time!

 My presents...sweet!

 Reesa chit-chatting with someone on her new phone.

 Oh man what a hot baby! She loves wearing my necklaces.

 Afton, watching her favorite movie, the fluffy movie, or in other words Despicable Me.

 Tad watching his movie, Inception.

 Just chillin!

 Just a happy girl!

 Here is our Christmas dessert. I was quite proud. It was delicious but definitely needed a glass of milk!

Guess where?

Well, we have decided, I think... Tad and I have been praying and fasting about where we are headed to next. Yesterday, we sat down with our map of the US and started eliminating, quite fast. It came down to Washington, California, Colorado, Texas, and Georgia. After prayers and everything we felt, we have decided on...

Yes, that's right! Back to my roots! I love Texas so this is exciting. We will be looking for jobs within the next few months, plan our move, and hopefully be headed down to warmth in April. I will most likely be teaching for a little bit, while Tad takes the GMAT and gets into a program for accounting. We will also be looking for a job for him as well for some accounting experience. So if anyone knows of anyone looking for that sort of thing let us know! This is a recent decision so you never know what life will throw at you, but that's the plan and we hope it works out. We love this because it is a place where we could probably spend the rest of our lives. The housing prices are pretty good, the education system is awesome and the people are amazing, and not to mention they have the LONGHORNS! You know we be going to those games! (Even if they stink at the moment!) So this is it! I can't wait and am scared all at the same time. Who knows how anything and everything will work out in the next little while, but I believe this is what was meant for us. We have loved being in Idaho and have had amazing experiences here. We have been so lucky and we will never forget the memories we have made here! I won't say goodbye to everyone here yet. Anyway, that's that and I will post all about our sweet Christmas soon! (Gotta get the pictures uploaded!)