Our Trip to Colorado Springs

finally going home

Sam and I (and Jonah) went out to Colorado in early March. Our family is at a crossroads (again) on where to reside. Sam got asked to come out and interview with a group in Colorado Springs. Grandma and Grandpa Jo were able to come out and man the fort with the older boys allowing us both to go out. I had thought it would feel like a vacation with just Sam and I but it turns out if you have even one child with you- it is not a vacation for 2. With the being said, Jonah was the best little traveling baby I could ask for. He slept on every flight and without any kind schedule he rolled with all the punches, and was still quite pleasant. 

We were very fortunate that Michael Grigg's parents were able to watch Jonah for us while we had dinner with the group the first night. The group were some of the nicest people. I had such positive vibes while we sat at dinner with them. I could tell they were a good group that genuinely cared about each other but also worked very well together. We spent the next day looking around Colorado 

Springs, and then Sunday we went to church and then flew out. 

Yes, the flight out. We were supposed to leave a 6pm, but we got to the airport around 4:30 and killed time. We were so happy when we finally boarded the plane. After getting settled the pilot announced there was something leaking from one of the hydraulic something something and Sam and I looked at each other like: "Say Whaaatt??!" They assured us that they were just going to take a look- see and we would not have to de-board. We ended up de-boarding. It would be a couple hours at the most. It was not a couple hours. Jonah was so tired. But, he did not sleep while waited for the plane to get fixed. We spent a lot of time walking him around, trying to get him to sleep, and rinsing off his "binks" that would fall on the floor. One of these occasions I went to do so this fellow passenger of the broken plane was talking quite loudly on her phone, "I am a little buzzed if you couldn't tell. Well, here was nothing else to do!" She announced. I thought, OK then. We finally took off at 11pm and we already knew we would be missing our connecting flight. We would be staying the night in Salt Lake in a hotel. 

When Sam and I were back in our seat 5 hours later we noticed some passengers had switched seats cue the drunk girl from the bathroom now sitting in front of us with this guy who had mutually decided drinking was the best way to kill the time. Sam and I had front row seats to their awkward first drunken kisses, his way to often caresses to her hair as she slept, and also how each time she awoke her interest in him seemed to lessen. It was quite hilarious and awkward.

"oh Jone Jone"

So...after NOT getting our luggage that night after we arrived in Salt Lake and getting handed mini "overnight bags," we waited in line for the shuttle to our hotel with more than half of our plane comrades. Some very nice girls let us take their spot in line for Jonah's sake. So many people took notice of how amazing Jonah had been doing despite all the bad travel luck we were having. We then waited in line to get a room and waited some more for someone to bring up a pack n play for Jonah to sleep. We finally tucked ourselves in in the same dirty airport clothes we had been wearing all day long. (delicious) at 2 o'clock in the morning. I was even more happy to get home when we finally did get home.

at church with Grandma and Grandpa Jo

Jonah's feeling about going home too

So, just a little bit about our crossroads. We were are still contemplating what to do. I have felt very peaceful about moving forward with the group in CO Springs, but there is still a chance of staying. I love Bend. I have told friends and family I have never loved a place more. I love the small feel to it, the 10 minutes drives to anywhere. I love how even with all my small kids I have I have been able to go down to the river or let them ride bikes on the trail because of how close everything is. It's beautiful here. But, with the impressions I have had I would be willing to leave. We shall see. 

Happy Birthday Dear Joshy

5 years old

We celebrated Josh's 5th birthday this year. I remember thinking when Josh turned 2 years old feeling like he had been in our family a lot longer. I feel that must mean Josh has always had a special place to belong in our family. I continually feel very lucky to have him and to be his mom. He teaches me a lot of the time about being considerate of others and thinking of first. He does these things very naturally and is certainly a gift that he has been given. 

Josh's full name is Joshua Mats after my grandpa. When Josh was a wee one aka probably a couple months old I remember holding him and looking at him and just enjoying the newness of the baby I had just had and having the sense and envisioning him with my grandpa. He was holding his hand, walking with him, talking with him in a bright and beautiful place. I knew Josh had recently been with my grandpa before coming to me, and it was an amazing feeling. 

lego crab, Moana, Maui and his hook

 For many many reasons Josh is special kid. I mentioned how Josh easily puts people first to name a couple of examples. The stores that I usually run to with the boys are Walmart, Costco, and Safeway aka the cookie store. When I take them to the cookie store I always swing by the bakery so they get a cookie sample. There was a day I was only with Kaj and Josh and there was only one cookie left Josh grabbed it, split it in have without thinking twice and then proceeded to give the bigger half to Kaj. The other night the boys were still hungry after dinner so I allowed them to have the banana that was left there was just one so Kaj and Josh split it, and when Rowan wanted some Josh then split his half of banana to share with Rowan. Though these are small examples perhaps I feel like the significance is shown by how immediately he thinks of others. He also is just plain sweet. He was sitting with me the other day and stopped and said, "mom, you're beautiful." If that's not already sweet enough he actually tells me this quite often, and most of the time he does I feel like I am the complete opposite. This time after saying this he paused and told me, "I'm going to tell you you're beautiful every day." And he has. I can't think of a day since he told me this where hasn't told me. Josh also looks for ways to make others happy. He did the dishes one day and told me he wanted to make me happy. I watch him daily do things to make others happy.
Josh is great brother to all of his brothers. He knows how to be the best brother to each boy. He and Kaj- they are just two peas in a pod, When he plays with Rowan he is patient with him and teaches him things, he helps him on and off the trampoline, and he runs around a lot with him which is what Rowan loves to do. With Jonah he goes with the smothering approach, but Jonah loves it. Josh will pick him and walk around with him, he loves to make him laugh, any time he is around Jonah he is happy kid.

Josh is very bright. He can figure things out on his own very easily. He loves singing songs, and learning new things. He likes legos, riding his bike, and preschool. I really truly am impressed with what he can create with his legos. Not just in an, "Oh, that's nice, honey," mom approved kind of way, but legit he can create anything he sees and make is lego form. Josh is quite funny. He has a great sense of humor and often make the whole family laugh. 

I cannot believe how fast 5 years has flown by with him. I also can't wait to see Josh as he grows I know he is going to do great things. (He already does) I love you, Joshy bears.