workforce

Well it is official I have joined the work force. I am going to check it out, hopefully it will allow me to work and Taeya to go to school. You may ask what is it. Well it is UPS I applied before we left for Texas in the middle of July. I am only working in the mornings, loading and unloading. It should be different, but I could use the manual labor. Were was I going with that thought is I don't get a cool brown suit. Oh well only the drivers do, it looks like from the other workers I get basketball shorts and a T-shirt, and work boots.
Before we left our home in Sandpoint, ID Ameila would call the drivers PS's. We weren't sure what she was talking about at first. We inquired a little more and then she called the driver "the brown dude". Oh Amelia you make me laugh every day. I guess in a round about way I am now a PS's.

Our little cookie girl

For a quick treat I gave Amelia a, single, one, uno cookie. It was a Oreo golden with chocolate center. Come to think I know two girls that like those, anyway beside the point. I handed the cookie to her and went and picked up Aliza from a nap. I came back and found that she had consumed the the cookie and smeared it on her shirt, all over her face, and arms. In amazement of that feat I asked how she did it. "Um I just ate it" gave her a kiss, and pointed out the mess and she told me she would wash it off. It was very cute. I didn't have time to take a picture, she is just too fast.
It reminds me of when I was younger about eighteen or so. I was at a activity at a lake with friends, and smeared a normal Oreo all over my mouth and proceed to tell everyone how sociable Oreo's are in crowds, because they turn your teeth black. I did have a picture of it but can't find it (wink, wink). Anyway, nothing huge happening so hope all is well. Jason

Coooool

Amazingly the last couple of days it has cooled down. During the day, it has only reached mid 60's. It has rained those days but we will take it, since we are in a terrible drought. After living nearly sixty days here most of those were 100+, so sixties feels very cool. It will return to the high 90's this week, but oddly enough it feels bearable from 100+.
On another note this morning I had a Hostess Zinger, that I bought last night on sale(curse you Zinger) . It made me miss Sandpoint, ID. When Amelia was younger about eighteen months I'd say. Every so often I would go to the dump in the truck, and with my trusty dog Ella. I would stop at the Pack River store. To buy a drink, or a treat. I bought A Zinger to help me keep Amelia awake, so that she didn't fall asleep in the car seat, If she even did for a half second she would not lay down again any where else. She was a big fan ever since.
Now every thing has changed, for a moment It made me very home sick. In fact this does not help writing about it.
During my motorcycle rides I would try to cherish every moment, take in every sight and smell, as if I would not see it again. I do miss very much my time there. I am grateful for my friends and some times family that I miss the most. I haven't missed the snow yet.
I am enjoying my experience here in Austin, meeting new people and places. Renewing relationships with my family. For Taeya to be able to follow her dreams. I am proud, yes I said proud, of her accomplishments.
For all those friends, that I consider family of Sandpoint, ID I say thank you for the memories. Jason

Amelia at 3 1/2 Years Old

Amelia will be three and a half years old this week, and it is amazing to think how grown up she has become.

She has grown from this...............to this, but so many things are still the same.

Amelia has had a busy 6 months. First, she became a big Sister!

Amelia seems to enjoy being a big sister, and likes to have some one to keep her company in the backseat of the car. She sometimes makes up songs to sing to Aliza, and she tries to keep her entertained.

While we were in Sandpoint, she spent lots of time with Grandma and Grandpa Howell when they came to visit, and with her friends, Nora and Jenna.

She also passed some pretty big milestones...getting a new bike and water tubing for the first time!

She also got to spend some time this summer with her cousins. Amelia absolutely loves her cousins and asks Grandma and Grandpa about them all the time.

Amelia has adjusted really well to living in Austin. She doesn't seem to mind the small apartment, mainly because there is a playground close to the building and a really big park nearby. She also still seems to find plenty of room to play with her sister and her new legos.

We sure love you Amelia!! Thanks for being such a great kid!

"Super Cool"

I have to put this in before I forget. While driving around doing errands Amelia noticed a parking garage, and asked me if it was an Airport. or maybe asked me where the planes were at. I am already forgetting. I told her it was for a Hospital. "Ohhh" She says, "do they help get babies out". Yes, Amelia. She responded, "that is super cool". love you Amelia

Quick note

Today while I was "discussing" with Amelia about spreading her sandwich all over the table, and on her at lunch time. I had gotten to a point of the "discussion" where there was a pause, and which I heard a little girl say. "If Jesus loves me will He be yelling too". I informed her that I was not yelling, but felt significantly smaller by that moment. It is amazing how a little brain works. I always tell her that I love her after I try to change her course. I love you Amelia, Dad

Aliza--4 Months

Aliza has passed her four month mark, shots and all!! She weighed in at 13 lbs, 10 oz (55th percentile), measured in at 23 1/4" long (50th percentile), and her head measured in at 16 3/4" long (75th percentile).

So what is Aliza like these days? Well, she loves to get her clothes changed.

She loves to talk to Mom and Dad and to stick out her tongue. We love her great blue eyes, and we think that they may be turning green.

She loves to suck on her fingers, and yes, watch TV. When we turn her the other way so that she can't see the screen, she will wiggle her way around so that she can see it.

She loves to suck on her blanket, and just recently, her binky.

She loves to hang out and try to stay cool.

And of course, she loves her big Sister!
All and all, she is such a great baby. She is trying to roll over, and she is very close to making it! She cries when she is tired, but most of the time, she is pretty happy. She is still working on sleeping through the night, and we all pray that she will figure that one out soon! We love you Aliza!

Hook'em horns

Tonight we went to a University of Texas at Austin football game. Incredible, we had a bit of trouble getting in because of a backpack. Thankfully Taeya's office was close and walked over there and back. I told Taeya it would be okay nothing happens anyway in the first few minutes. Shortly after saying those words a loud boom went off and roar of the crowd, so I guess I was wrong. It was a lot of fun every body was having fun except one, try to guess.

The Sea of burnt orange.

That is the other side of the stadium. Where the picture is taken Is 47 rows up, great seats. I wish I could take a panoramic picture This place is huge. It was fun followed by some BBQ you can't go wrong.

WalMart

Since moving to Austin, we have made it a point not to shop at WalMart. Anyone who has lived in Sandpoint knows why. Seems like we were always at WalMart for one reason or another, and we always knew that we would see someone we knew there.

Tonight, I had something I needed to return to WalMart (yes, we brought it all the way from Sandpoint), and so off we went.

We pulled in to the parking lot and parked close to a truck pulling a boat; I didn't even give it a second thought. We went in to the store, and other than all of the Texas Longhorns gear, it was just like the Sandpoint WalMart. I actually started getting homesick for the first time! We didn't see anyone we knew. It really struck me that we weren't going to walk outside and drive home to our house.

I guess we really did spend a lot of time at WalMart, it really was like a second home! After thinking about Sandpoint the entire time we were in the store, it made me smile when we came out, and a Subaru had parked next to us!

In the day of 31 year old

I'm doing this blog for my mother because she wanted me to tell this story. This is Jason by the way. This morning I went to go do laundry at the community building. When I left the apartment, I put Aliza in the the basket with the clothes. It is pretty cute if you ask me. Amelia walks and I can't leave Aliza at the house, and I can't hold her so there you go, girl in the basket. When I pass people in the area all of them check to see if they are seeing a girl in a basket. It is funny, but I don't have any other choice, moving on.

I retain my machine and go through the routine. Press the start button, and feel like I should hang around for a minute. It is a good thing I did, well you can make up your own mind. Right off the bat clothes get jambed in the door and the drum. I can't open the door because it is locked. The washers are front loaders so the water was flying every where. Aliza in hand, Amelia asking me why the machine is acting funny, not sure what to do. I grab a chair slid it over and placed my foot on the door. Amelia, well what do I say was up to what little girls do. All over the place, climbing things, dragging chairs, playing in the water all over the floor, and even helping me hold the door shut with her little foot. I didn't mind, I realized I was going to be there for a few minutes. I just didn't know how Aliza would take it just sitting there. Thankfully she spent her time watching Amelia. Well for the last ten minutes Amelia was curled up on my legs stretched out. I was holding Aliza on top of Amelia, water was flying everywhere. Sorry I don't have picture if I only had five arms. The best part was the other people that came in. Very few of the people speak English. So a little awkward, in my desperate attempt to explain the situation. It was futile to explain, mostly just nodded and went about their business. That is about it I just thought it was funny. Stay posted for a possible reenactment photo.