Graduation...kinda.

Matt graduated on a Saturday and was back at school the following Monday. Happy graduation... Graduating Law School is a giant let down. Congratulations... you are now qualified to start studying for the BAR. For the next ten weeks he'll be studying twelve plus hours a day. Our slogan for Summer 2014 is LAME! No fun and all study makes Matt something something.  (Simpsons quote... anyone...?)

When I first met Matthew, he was working at a soils lab on BYU's campus. Law school was not on his radar but then within a few months of being married, he decided to take the LSAT. I think the process of studying, taking the exam and applying to schools happened within three months. Waiting for response letters seemed to take forever. I still remember the first acceptance package that arrived, I couldn't wait for Matt to get home so I drove up to his work and surprised him. I  just started jumping up and down as I passed it to him and continued to do so while he read.

I also remember being pregnant with William and thinking, we will have an almost three year old by the time Matt graduated. That thought was so weird and crazy to the both of us.

Now we have two.

This purple velvet and black polyester robe represents so much to me. Firstly, how relieved I am that as a society we've veered away from ceremonial robes.  

But mostly, it sends me down a mushy and sentimental memory montage of long nights, early mornings, deadlines, resume revising, on campus interviewing, saturdays in the library, moving six different times, journal meetings and the dreaded blue book. I almost burnt that blasted blue book on at least three occasions. 

And with all that said, there are happy memories of babies being born, trips to the coast, voodoo donuts, friends that became family, training for our first half marathon, first steps, pumpkin patches, library story time, ice cream at prince pücklers, splash pool, bowling and mini golf.

I really do start to cry when I think about leaving Eugene and the friends we've come to know and love... I'll save you the tears on my keyboard though. 

The ceremony was wonderful and a lot more entertaining than I had expected. William spent a lot of time out in the hall with Nanny (thanks mom for taking one for the team!) My favorite quote of the night was, "People say that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. After law school I know that's not true. Whatever doesn't kill you, only makes you cry in the shower" - Frank Lin

So here's to our next adventure and our seventh move in four years of marriage. We are packing up the family and heading three hours south of Eugene to the small town of Klamath Falls. Matt accepted a job as the deputy director of a non profit organization. He'll be representing agricultural water rights in the Klamath basin.

My hat is off to you, Deputy.

Picture Perfect

A few weeks ago our amazing friend, Michelle Davis took some family photos for us. She claims she's not professional but lets face it, these are pretty awesome.

I had originally just wanted pictures of the boys but decided last minute to dress Matt and I in coordinating outfits so we could "assist" William or Paul in cooperating for the pictures. 

We did a lot of assisting. 

taking pictures of my children is no small accomplishment!

Thank you, Michelle!

Oregon Coast

This years Spring break was extra special--it was Matt's last one. It's hard to believe that Law School is wrapping up (in two weeks) and we will be leaving Eugene (in two and a half months) but that's another post.

Spring break coincided with my birthday once again.  It was a magical week of sleeping in and family time. Well, sleeping in relatively speaking/not at all.

We took the boys to the Zoo in Portland. This was William's (and Paul's) first time at a zoo and they LOVED it. It took William all of five minutes to figure it out and he began to chime in and say, "Okay let's  go see another animal!" I think his favourites were the fish and the sea otters because he could watch them swim all around him and walk right up to the glass. Paul was a stud and slept in his stroller the entire time. We had so much fun and completely forgot to take pictures. William is just getting old enough to really enjoy things like this and I loved watching him react to the animals and make their corresponding noises.  I have many fond memories of the Toronto Zoo growing up and it was fun to share a similar moment with my boys.

When it came time to go home Matt decided he wanted to go to the coast, so we took a large detour home and drove to the ocean. Growing up on an island I can confidently say not many things make me happier than dipping my feet in to the freezing cold ocean. Now I know there is one thing that beats it-- having my son do it with me.

Normally, I'm not a fan of kissing photos but because you can see William freaking out in the background, I love this picture.

We made it in just enough time to watch the sun set. We payed for William's late night the next day but it was worth it. I would never have taken William on an all day car ride when he was 5 weeks old but Paul as the classic second child didn't really get a say.

I know this makes me sound like a hippie BUT there is something about the power of the ocean that instantly makes me happy. Simply put--the ocean is my drug.

William was a little timid at first (It was FREEZING) but after just a few minutes I had to run after him so he wouldn't go out too far. Man that boy can run!

please note the almond in my tooth. 

William foot prints

William kept making these little sand piles and laughing hysterically at them.

This day made me so happy! William is getting to an age that is SO MUCH FUN!