Blogitude of Gratidue

I know Blogitude doesn't really rhyme with "attitude," but I'm writing for the first time in probably a year so y'all should just be happy that I'm ending the silence. And naturally the person to spur me back into blogging is dear sweet L. Lets start with two pictures.

So on Monday I defended my thesis, and Tuesday I handed in and presented my last seminar paper. The work that went in to them each required dozens of hours and loads of late nights. But that is all that I had to focus on. Do you know why? It's because L literally held EVERYTHING down around the home, and continued working her full time job so that I could just focus on getting through the rest of these requirements. I can't even list off everything, but over the last week (and some of these are throughout the semester in general) she: 

-cleaned the entire house, top to bottom including bleaching the kitchen floor-

-she cooked all meals and did all the dishes after

-made cookies for my students for the last class activity

-took care of E almost exclusively through thick and thin, giggles and screams

-came home from work at 12 each day so that I could work on my paper's, while in the middle of training, and just dealt with the stress of things that she needed to get done in a tiny time window without complaining or making me feel guilty about it

-made me this super thoughtful conglomorate of "good luck" phrases in different languages the morning of my thesis defense just as an added step of showing her support and being incredibly thoughtful

-and in continuing that train of thoughtfulness, got me this SUPER legit parker BYU pen. While I was on my mission, these parker pens were the envy of all missionaries not willing to fork out for one. And she got me one so that as I go on to my PhD and become a professor, I would have a professional pen from my alma mater

Sometimes other grad students ask how on Earth you can be married at this stage or age, let alone have kids. Well if it weren't for Lauren and E keeping me sane and supporting me so that I can get through school, I have NO IDEA how I would manage. So really the question isn't how I do it, it's how they do it with out being married to the most amazing, supportive, and selfless person ever. Thank you so much L, I love love you!

Easter

Easter was so fun this year.

All E's first holidays are the best

 He had his first egg hunt with cousins on Saturday

If you think he looks huge in this picture-

well he is

 I always told myself before kids 

that when I had kids they would only get ONE thing for holidays

especially when they are young

well- I am THAT parent

E got a ball (his favorite), two books, weird yogurt puff thingies and bath toys

yeah well I he is only getting 2 gifts for his birthday- probably... maybe

 The Easter bunny was good to Trent too

 I got a Virginia Woolf book

and a coupon for a date

hooray!

Do yourself a favor and DON'T blow this picture up full screen

 I put E in the cutest Janie and Jack romper

T- it's a romper, not a dress

E looked darling 

Thank goodness for our neighbor

 E was so hungry and cranky before he came around

His cheesy/ excited face

We went to stake conference for Easter

let me tell you, stake conference with an almost 1 year old is rough

especially during nap time

We made it home and were able to spend the afternoon with great friends.

We watched the lds.org video on Christ and reflected on what Easter truly is about

it was a great day

and lots of exciting things are happening this week

I'll update once I have pictures:)

Early Morning Workouts

So E's sleeping schedule has been

less than awesome

WAY less than awesome

more like AWFUL

So I usually work out when he goes to sleep at 7-7:30pm 

welp- he figured me out 

and has decided to go to sleep at 7

 and wake up screaming 50 minute- an hour later

adios night workouts

I need to figure out how to get up at 6am, run, shower and get ready by 7:45am to get to work.

I am the Queen of Excuses when it comes to waking up early

So let me hear it people- 

I need all of your advice on getting up early

and let's just keep it at that

no sleep training advice for E

because no mom REALLY wants unsolicited advice

I'll say what they are all thinking:)

Update

As most of you have probably already seen 

our family has finally added some red to our wardrobe

Don't worry- it will never be THAT red.

Trent has accepted OSU's offer 

and will be earning his PhD in Art History from their amazing faculty. 

We are in the middle of searching for housing and will be flying out in a few weeks to decide.

In the meantime-

I will end my job at BYU's Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology in May. 

It is a bittersweet feeling

I am so excited to stay at home with E 

but also will miss all the amazing people I have met 

and the incredible opportunities I have been given the last few years.

I will also start a job at the end of May working for a contact I met while at the Entrepreneurship Center.

I will get to work from home on some amazing projects that I am excited about.

T defends his thesis in 10 days and graduates in 14.

I am SO proud of him-

you guys

 I can never even begin to explain how much he has helped our family

He has been working, writing a thesis, taking classes

 ALL while watching E the majority of the week.

He will defend

take a breather and then start the formatting part of the thesis stuff

which I obviously don't understand fully

then will be a TA and research assistant for professors at BYU and Harvard

yeah- THAT Harvard

the Harvard guy had been searching high and low for an amazing writer 

read some of T's stuff

and obviously fell over in his chair and hired him

Oh and we move in with my in laws in June

hello AC during the summer

So I think I have covered everything

Any suggestions on
housing in Columbus
 things to do in Columbus
 tips on moving across country
 buying a second car
 how to transition to staying at home full time from a full time job
or how to really accept change and not freak out

let me know...

Thanks:)