Snippets of Life with Zeke!

Yes I know, I'm that parent that is crazy in love with their kid and thinks he's totally awesome! But HE IS :)

 10 months old

 11 months old

Drinking G'Pa's smoothie. He can literally drink half a jamba juice.

Australia Trip

It is always a great day when we get to visit my homeland AUSTRALIA!! It's even sweeter when we get to fly direct from Dallas to Sydney (going through LA can be such a nightmare, one I wasn't looking forward to with a 10 month old). I am so late with posting, but I'm digging into the reservoir of memories and hope I do this awesome trip justice. We decided to fly out right after graduation because we knew this would be the only time we'd have a long holiday now that Aaron has a job and we're starting real life :)

It was the best six weeks of this year, I literally dragged my feet onto the plane coming home and cried a whole 2 minutes ( I was quickly reminded by Zeke that I wasn't going to have time to feel sorry for myself the whole plane ride home.)

We had fun with family, friends, good food, not so good food and the beautiful scenery that Australia offers.

Some highlights of the trip: Watching my family with Zeke, Staying up till all hours of the night, catching up with my family and cousins, Finding Aaron STILL Kareokeing (if that's even a word) at 5am with all my aunties (they were loving the Elvis impressions), Eatin lot's of Thai food, Goofing around with my little sis, Hanging out with my friends and their sweet kiddos, watching my nephew rip it up in soccer, strolling along the harbour right beside the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, touching the beautiful sand and ocean, Shopping (love Aussie fashion), Watching my brother love on little Zeke (he is a total softie with him), Getting so see friends from the Sutherland ward, Getting my back cracked by the best chiropractor in the world (not an exaggeration!) Riding the train all over Sydney, taking Zeke to my dad's grave site, Celebrating Liza and Charlie's engagement, baking with my cuz Maria, Fish and Chips, you know the list goes on!!

I'm not a photo taker, but here is what I got (I did try to be diligent this trip).

Zeke getting ready for the 17 hour trip!! He did awesome (both ways)

 Zeke's first train ride in Sydney!

 With my cousins and sisters, celebrating Liza's birthday

 Charlie, Liza and I (they are engaged)

 Me and Charm at Wollongong, enjoying the view and of course, fish and chips!

 Zeke's first beach encounter, he loved it!! Totally an Aussie!

 Ysabel and Zeke

 Koala

 Kangaroo

 The famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House

 Aaron teaching Zeke to sing Opera!

 Aaron's favourite Aussie meal, Oatley's meat pie and Lemon Lime Bitters!

 Zeke seeing Grampa's grave site

We took our very first family vacation last month and had an absolute blast. It was a spontaneous trip which made it all the more fun because I didn’t have to wait long for the adventure to arrive. I have always wanted to do a church historic site trip. Being from Australia and also only joining the LDS church 7 years ago I have heard and learned so much about the beginnings of the church and the sacrifices made by the pioneers and have longed to see these places.

Just in case you are a reader unfamiliar with the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints I will write a very brief review. The early pioneers were faced with lots of persecution because of their faith and were often beaten and driven from the homes and families. All they wanted to do was be able to worship God according the their faith and live in peace. They were driven from Kirtland, Ohio, Several places in Missouri and lastly from Nauvoo, Illinois. Nauvoo was a city that the early Latter Day Saints thought would be a safe place from persecution. It was a swampland that nobody else wanted and in the 7 years that they lived there it became one of the biggest cities in Illinois, rivaling Chicago in size. Ultimately they were again driven from their homes and this is when Brigham Young led the early saints to the Salt Lake Valley.

http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Curriculum/sunday%20school.htm/our%20heritage.htm?fn=default.htm$f=templates$3.0
This link above is an online book about the History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Or you can visit www.mormon.org

Zeke did awesome on his First Car ride, and every time we took him out of his car seat for a break, his excitement went through the roof. It was hilarious! We visited Liberty Jail on the first day in Missouri. It was so humbling to see the poor conditions that the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum had to endure. One thing that really touched my heart was that even though Joseph was unjustly imprisoned, in those circumstances some of the great revelations from the Lord came. The wicked thought they could keep the Lord’s work from moving forward if they locked up his Prophet, but the Lord can penetrate any fortified wall and no one can keep out the revelations of God.

I could spend hours writing about Nauvoo, but I’ll just summarize my favorite parts. It was a real learning experience to see how people lived during that time. We got to go to a lot of the Apostles homes and were surprised at how beautiful they were. We both realized at that point that the early saints really believed Nauvoo was the Promised Land, and put everything into building their lives there. It was so humbling to note that they gave it all up for the Lord; they were truly willing to sacrifice all things. The temple was absolutely beautiful! In front of the temple there is a monument with the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum riding to Carthage Jail, Joseph says, “This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them.” Aaron and I listened to Truman G. Madsen’s lectures on the Prophet Joseph Smith while we drove and it brought me to tears when he talked about the two of them riding to Carthage. He said that many followed them because they wanted to keep the Prophet safe. Joseph fearing for their lives had to order them to return to their families, knowing that was the only way they would leave him.

Carthage was such a spiritual experience, as was all the places. As he got near to Carthage Joseph Smith said, “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me, ‘He was murdered in cold blood.’” This prophecy did come true and he was killed by a mob in Carthage Jail. The Lord was so merciful to me because as I was in this place he confirmed again to my heart through the Holy Spirit that Joseph Smith was called of God to restore Christ’s church to the earth once again.
I feel so blessed to have been able to see these places and experience it with my little family, it was life changing!!

Aaron and I love the show Diner’s Drive in and Dives and so we has the visit some of the places on the way. We stop at Kansas for some BBQ and on the way home stopped at the best Country Fried Steak on Route 66. Its claim really is true, it was so good!!!

 Aaron and Zeke at the front of Carthage Jail

 We loved this qoute!

Standing in the room that the Prophet Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith was martryed. This is the window that Joseph Smith fell out of. I heard a comment that he went towards the window not to escape as there were so many surroudning, it wouldv'e be impossible, but to save the others in the room. After he fell out the mob did leave the room and Willard Richards was able to save and hide John Taylor.

 I love Wilford Woodruff, in his room the tour guide reads this quote he says “I was in Nauvoo on the 26th of May, 1846, for the last time, and left the city of the Saints feeling that most likely I was taking a final farewell of Nauvoo for this life. I looked upon the temple and city as they receded from view and asked the Lord to remember the sacrifices of His Saints.” I just started to cry! I hope I always have the faith that the pioneers of this church did. 

 Aaron and I didn't realize this family was LDS, how cool!!

 Zeke and I in front of the Nauvoo Temple

 I love this picture, it just captures a piece of heaven for me!

 This is the homestead where Joseph and Emma lived, and their burial site.

 Zeke's turn to drive

 Kansas BBQ

 Jalapeno Sausage cooked in a corn husk

 Best Country Fried Steak

Photo Crazy!!

I get to stare at this face all day long and I just love it!! I've been really trying to document his growth more and so I have a long post of pictures. Enjoy!
I know I'm totally biased, but I just love his eyes. I'm not quite sure if there blue or green, but I think their pretty cool.

Aaron and I went shopping and stumbled upon these at Children's Place. I didn't even know they made sunnies for babies. It was the best waste of $4.50 I've spent in a long time. I think he knows how cool they are because he will leave them on and seems to enjoy wearing them :)

His hair is so crazy!! I just don't have the heart to cut it. Aaron is not a fan of shaggy hair, but I am. So we'll see how long I can hold off the haircut.

He is crazy about tub time. He kicks so hard he does a backward worm, sometimes I have to put a hand towel behind his head, he bangs so hard. I am also left soaked by the end of bath time.

I've seen all those little babies on you tube floating on their backs by 3-6 months, it's the coolest thing to watch. I have so much fun teaching him how to float (or at least trying). I love how excited he gets about being in the water. We had fun in the hot tub, can't wait for more summer days.

He's my little buddy!

I love baby feet, and whenever I take his socks off he does this.. it's the cutest thing!

This is the face I get when he sees the camera, so a smile is a rare shot!

Just sporting some Texas pride while jumping around.

I love watching Aaron and Zeke together. They laugh at each other and Zeke always has the biggest smile ready for his daddy.

I don't think I'll ever stop loving (smothering) him :)

Life is great, nothing much to update on. School is coming to an end for Aaron and we are so excited to enter the next chapter of life. Big news: Zeke's first tooth is coming through!!

Things Zeke likes to do these days

-Rolling everywhere!! I can't take my eyes off him.

-Laughing at our laughs

-Poking his tongue out and clicking it

-Eating all kinds of foods. Favorite is Sweet Potato

-Squeal

6 months old.. can I freeze time?? Please!!

He is growing out of his bumbo, he pushes off it with his feet and it comes off the ground. So I really have to keep an eye on him when he sits in it.

My little buddy, I can't believe he is already 6 months old. He is now a professional roller and rolls both ways, everywhere and anywhere. He hasn't quite mastered sitting yet.

He is eating solids now. He's will eat anything I give him. He never did the tongue thrust, he just ate like a champ from the get go. We have now started mixing foods and he seems to like that.

I wish I could hold my little baby forever. Toni took this sweet picture.

Zeke prefers to be on his feet, than sit on his bottom. I don't know if I should be proud or worried...

Side thought-

I have always had a really hard time living in the present, I almost always find myself thinking about the future or the past. Thinking that when I have more time, (e.g. when I'm just at home with kids as oppose to going to school and being at home) I'll have more time to do things I want to get done (e.g. projects, scrap booking, genealogy, service) I've finally realized that there is never more time and when I get to that place, I'll probably have some other reason to put it off.

I realized too, that in thinking that way I have and will miss out on opportunities and blessings that the present has to offer. Zeke has been the biggest blessing in helping me come to this realization. He helps me to live in the present and enjoy every waking day I get to spend with him and my little family.

So I'm now trying to seize the moment and let the future figure itself out. Now that I have joined the rest of you in this present time, I find myself appreciating the little things more and wanting to continuously freeze time. Life is filled with so many precious moments. I love listening to the babblings of a 6 month old, watch him sleep and playing peek-a-boo 5o times over. I love the long conversations I have with Aaron and the cuddling on the couch. I love spending time and talking to my friends and family, I love the sun shining on my face, I love that I get beat at tennis by a 67 year old and it kills me :)

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father fills our lives with so much joy and peace and know that these times and feelings help us have those "June roses in the December of our lives". - Love that quote. ( or for my fellow Aussie followers. December roses in the June's of our lives)