Just Life

This post isn't really significant in any way, its just a few funny life experiences. For those of you who don't already know, the twins share a room with the computer. i try to keep quiet as i do my blogging stuff since the boys are asleep and i don't want my me time interrupted. so a few minutes ago i heard one of my boys make a tiny sound in his sleep. first it was a very happy coo, but then he started just making a little "uh" noise. I just smiled because this is the same little "uh" noise that I've heard Joe and his mom both make while they are sleeping. they really are mini Joe's. they are getting so big and doing so well. today Ethan played with his feet SO much which is something new for them. I've seen them noticing their feet before, but today Ethan really grabbed them and pulled and played. things like this make it all seem worth it. despite the fact that i had two different people ask me when i was due! i underestimated how long it would take me to get my figure back. i guess this is just motivation to get exercising, even though i despise it. i really thought that exercise was one of those things that you are supposed to do, but very few people actually do it. But when i went to that enrichment night in Iowa, the girls all started talking about how they are training for half marathons, or how their gyms are, or how lazy they have been for not working out yet this week. it made me afraid to say the last time i exercised-i can't even remember!
enough ranting, noah is awake and sick of sitting on my lap.

pictures

the apartment picture is of a flier we picked up of a condo for sale in our complex. there are a few differences between these pictures and how our apt will look. firstly, we have white wall that we aren't allowed to paint (bummer). And secondly we are on the ground floor with no patio, so instead of sliding glass doors, we just have a large window.

IOWA

Joe and I just got back from our trip to Iowa to find an apartment. It was a really great trip, even though both of us missed our boys terribly. I just had to keep reminding myself that if the boys were there, we would probably wish they weren't so its a good thing we left them with Grandma Peggy. Joe and i stayed with the Ross family, and they did such a great job taking us around town and helping us find places. Sarah Ross would give me tips on what areas were good and family oriented and which areas were a little more shady. It was so nice to have her input. I would hate to sign a lease and then find out after I've moved in that my neighbors were also drug dealers or something. She even took me to an enrichment night held by my future ward so that i could get to know some of the girls. Unfortunately i don't have any pictures to post of our new apartment. I was kicking myself that i didn't bring my camera. anyway, its a two bedroom apartment with a washer and dryer. It also comes with a dishwasher, a disposal, a mounted microwave, and even a fireplace! This apartment was way more that Joe and I could have ever asked for. I will post pictures if i can find some on the internet.

I'm a Liar

I've come to realize that my children make liars out of me. It seems as though everytime I share a fact or fun little story, my boys will immediately contradict me. I told my mom that Noah was propping himself up on his elbows, but when i tried to show her he just arched his back and grunted. I started telling people that the boys were finally sleeping through the night, but that was followed by two weeks of each boy waking up every night. I complain that my boys never seem to be able to nap at the same time, and yet here i am being able to blog because both are sound asleep in their crib. The solution i have reached is that i need to hand out a flier after each conversation that reads: "each and any statement made by Jessica is subject to change without warning. Listener side effects may result in confusion, feelings of distrust, concern or betrayal. Any repeated facts that become contradictory to true life will be metally marked at listeners expense.

P.S. Jess, I love you

I figure it is finally my turn to place a post on our new family blog. I was so happy that Jessica started this blog. She did it just randomly and she suprised me with it. It is great that we now will have a way to share our lives with our friends and family while keeping record of our lives at the same time.
Last night Jessica were sitting at home watching a "chick flick" film and just enjoying our time together. Sometimes it is hard for me to watch those "girly" movies because the guys on them are so perfect. I never treat my wife with the same love, excitement, affection, and care as those fictional dreamy men. I try hard to be a fun and lving husband and father but of course I fall short. I hope that Jessica can see and feel how much I love her. I hope that she can see past me stiff, boring lifestyle and find joy. It is fun how we are always getting to know each other better. There are still a million things that I don't know about her but I try. So much of my time has been spent with school and future career goals and sometime I feel like I am missing out on the fun parts of life. Like Jess said in her earlier bolg, its like the only time we are going to have the time a nresources to "enjoy life" we will be too old to enjoy it. I guess that means I need to do more now to bring joy to our journey through school and career preparation so that it is not just a four year waiting period where our lives are on hold.
Now as the time gets closer to our move to Iowa, I am increasingly aware of Jessica's fear of being so far away. Fortunately for us, we have our own family now with the two of us and our boys. They are so fun. They are getting more and more personality. They are learning to grasp and hold themselves up on their elbows and the smile and laugh everytime I make faces at them. I hope that we can be the kind of parents to them as Jess and I both had.

Joseph

P.S. Jess, I love you

Seeking Advice

For the past few weeks I have been thinking of low cost ways to really make the most of the time I have left in Utah. Summer months are always the busiest, excluding December i suppose. Nonetheless I see and hear of friends and family members taking trips, camping, vacations, etc. Its almost as if I am surrounded by carpe diem posters. So i imagine ways to make memories. After all, I will be leaving to Iowa at the end of the summer and if I want to do anything with my friends or family I'd better do it now. The only vacations I'll be taking in the next five years will be trips back home and that will be twice as expensive as any fun things I plan here. So I should do something now while I still can. But then the rational side of me rears its ugly little head and whispers in my ear. What about the boys? How will they fare or who will babysit? What about money? Shouldn't you be saving right now? As much as i hate having to grow up and think of other things besides having fun the fact remains that I'm no longer a college freshman. I have a husband, two kids, and I'll soon be in HUGE student debt. Its an epic battle inside of me. So who should win? The side that says "Its now or in five years. There is no in between, so do something while you still have the means". Or the side that says "Be grateful for what you already have. With twins you are on a vacation if you are sane and sleeping through the night". So I've reached the point where I take suggestions. Any thoughts or ideas or even a verbal kick in the pants would be appreciated.

Some pictures

the big smile picture is Ethan. The one dressed in red is Noah, and the last picture is when they were blessed a few weeks ago.