The last time I wrote a blog post I promised everyone I would write on my blog, I apologize, for I have failed miserably. My last post was what? 6-7 months ago? I realized recently that many of you have no idea what is going on in our lives, so I am here to update you. 

First off, I must apologize for the many grammar errors in my last post. I recently went back to reminisce on Kai's birth story and was embarrassed at how poorly it was written after reading it. Please remember I wrote the thing while taking heavy painkillers (from Kai's birth) and while trying to finish school. My brain was shot. 

After Kai was born, I successfully finished all of my finals, including taking one of them while holding my brand new baby. I had a final paper to write (in class) for my Ethics class. Terrance had worked a grave shift the night before so I was weary of leaving a baby with him. I was convinced if I had Kai fed, he would sleep through the whole final. I was wrong. The second I pushed that stroller into my class he started to cry. So, I held him. I wrote my paper, bounced him when he was fussy and continued to write my paper once he was quiet. My teacher was so kind to offer more time but I wanted that final done! A kind girl in my class who had finished early offered to hold him in the hallway while I finished.  I, being so grateful, let her take him and finished my paper in class. I later realized I had given my first born to almost a complete stranger, but hey, it was BYU. 

After finals were finished and we had passed all our classes we were off to graduation! Terrance and I graduated  when Kai was only four weeks old and we were even lucky enough to walk across the stage with him in our arms. It felt so unreal. I still feel like I should be at BYU forever. My mother in law Mellisa met us right before we got on stage for our names to be called and handed us our sweet baby boy. We had a bottle ready for him and I accidentally held the bottle up in all of our "official" graduation pictures, mommy brain. I had no idea what I was doing until I had done it. Terrance held Kai up in the air like Simba as he crossed the stage, it was quite a performance. Are we bad for leaving our own graduation early? As soon as we crossed that stage we were planning our escape. I am sure that was not the most polite thing to do but I wanted to be back with my baby! (They wouldn't let us hold him anywhere but the stage for fear of tripping while we walked stairs etc.) 

After graduation we had a big decision to make. Terrance had been offered a once in a life time internship opportunity at LSU! In Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I sadly had an internship also that I had to finish in order to officially graduate so we were stuck. Terrance leave me and our two month old baby for two months? At first I laughed and told him no way, but I knew this was important to him and important to his career. After going to the temple and much trust and faith in the Lord we decided Terrance would go. 

We had to pack up and move out of our favorite apartment, with a two month old baby. Oh wait I forgot to tell you! I had to get my gall bladder removed right in the middle of this! I had a gall bladder attack (which was worse than labor) right after we made the decision for Terrance to leave. The gall bladder attack was horrible, I had never been in so much pain. It was like having contractions in my chest that I never got a break from. I don't know why I didn't go to the ER. I think because of my family's history I knew what was happening and just knew I had to get through it. Luckily I had some heavy pain killers left over from having a baby and Terrance was smart enough to give them to me. After the attack I had an ultrasound and found out, gall stones! Which meant surgery. I was TERRIFIED to go under. I had so much anxiety about it but I survived, almost. Waking up from surgery was torture. I had to stay extra long in recovery and I was miserable. It was a hard week but we got though it. Surgery Monday, moved on Friday. Thank you to my family, friends and ward members who brought me meals, helped me pack and baby sat. 

We decided it would be best for me to move to Terrance's Aunts house in Spanish Fork to avoid paying rent, keep me from being alone and to have help with Kai. I will forever be indebted to the Fraser's for all they did for me. Julie watched Kai for me everyday, fed me and was my walking buddy. It was tough being away from Terrance but we got through it.  

While Terrance was interning at LSU we got word he had been accepted into their masters program! Yay! We had a school to go to and could finally plan our move. After working my job and doing an internship on my own for about 6 weeks ( working and pumping was rough but we did it!), Kai and I moved to California so I could be with my parents for a while until T finished his internship. Thank you to my dad who flew to Utah to drive me home. Kai hates the car so that was an adventure, a long adventure. 

Luckily my last day of work in Utah, my boss asked if I would be interested in working from home! Blessings! I of course was ecstatic about the idea and was so excited to be able to continue working a job I loved and be able to help support my little family.  

We spent about two weeks in California before Terrance was able to come visit. He drove all the way from Louisiana to California to be with us. We were so happy to have him home and I loved the look on Kai's face when he saw his daddy again! California was filled with work, a beach trip (which Kai hated) Disneyland, thanks to Brooke (we did not bring Kai), more work and the inability to make any decisions on where we would live in Baton Rouge. Little did we know, that was because we were not supposed to live there! 

About a week before we were supposed to leave for Baton Rouge, Terrance got a call and was told to apply for a graduate assistant position at another school! What!? But we went for it. Terrance applied and got the position. This meant school paid for, a monthly stipend and the official title of being a graduate assistant which means better job opportunities. We were so shocked but knew this was where we were supposed to be and felt so blessed for the opportunity. 

Off we moved to Lafayette, Louisiana. The drive took four days. Four long days. Kai hated it, he would not eat and would not sleep. Once we got there we had to live in a hotel for a week and we had to wait two months to get out student loans. It has been long and stressful but I am happy to say we are finally settled into our apartment. For the first time in six months I feel like we are home! Our home. 

It has been a big adjustment for me to be home all day. Its a big change to no longer be in school working a job to being at home with a little one. I have had my struggles but I am learning lots about this Mom life. Its the little things, the baby belly laughs, the gummy smiles, snuggles, actually having the dishes done, a clean apartment, making dinner, being able to provide for my family, and having a happy husband, that make it all worth it. 

Terrance has almost finished his first semester of school and his first football season (its crazy busy). We both have church callings and we have kept our baby alive for almost 8 months!! Where has the time gone? Terrance is very busy with work and school, I try to work as much as I can, and keep Kai happy. Life is crazy but we are happy. We are doing all we can to enjoy our adventure. Until next time, 

The Motleys