Interactions with a Rascal

Here are a few of our recent interactions:

Amora is starting to be naughty. I say, "Amora, do you want a time-out?" She says, "K," and prances to time-out.

At church, another child is playing with her toy. She snatches it and gives her a stare down. She comes to me where I explain that it's nice to share with our friends. She says, "No. Nope."

At dinnertime, she grabs a handful of corn and throws it on the ground (I am at the sink washing dishes). I run over as her daddy tells her no. She stares at her daddy in defiance and throws her entire plate, then her fork, and lastly her milk.

We are at the grocery store. She grabs a can of pineapple juice to put in the cart (her favorite grocery store activity). I tell her that we don't need it and walk to her to put in away. She starts running and throws the pineapple juice halfway across the store (after it rolls a good deal).

She falls off her new toddler bed almost every night and cries for me to get her. I rush in the room, searching for my little girl. All I see are two feet. She is stuck under the bed.

When I'm in another part of the house, Amora stays where she is and yells, "Mommy! Mommy!"

Amora got a set of stuffed dogs. When you put their noses together, it says "I love you!" Amora proudly repeats this with the exact same inflection.

Tell me, do I have a prayer in the world? How can they be so cute all the time, especially when they're naughty?

We Love Summer

Summer is the best time of year. We have been able to play outside almost everyday with absolutely gorgeous weather. Here are a few of our favorite things:

When Grandpa (as Amora calls him, DaPa) comes to visit. They like to read together.



And give kisses.



And just play together at the park.



Here's Amora giving me a fake smile. How can she be so sassy and yet so little?



We took a trip to Utah to visit siblings and play in downtown Salt Lake. We went to Temple Square. Amora loved looking at all of the pictures of Jesus. She called him GiGi.



Any running water is basically the best thing ever, so here she is playing in a fountain. It was great; it entertained her for the longest time while the rest of us got to visit.



We converted Amora's crib into a toddler bed recently. She loves it! Her favorite part is climbing up and jumping on the bed. I'm sure we'll have to break her of it someday, but for now I don't even care.



Proud mother moment: My big girl went poop in her potty for the first time (18 1/2 months old). Here she is enjoying her throne afterwards.



And of course summer requires many trips to the park.



And also getting into mischief around the house.



Another note: Amora's vocabulary has multiplied exponentially. She will try to say basically anything. She loves to say prayers (she'll repeat the last word of every phrase I say). She's also combining words like, milk fall (meaning the milk fell) and sleep bed (she slept in her bed). Every day gets more and more fun with this little one!

Settling Into Summer

We've had a nice summer so far. The weather here has been great, so we've gotten to play outside most days. Here are a few of our highlights so far.

We got a pet rat and named him Stu. Amora loves him! It's the highlight of both of their days when Stu gets to come out and play. Amora tries to pet him, then chases him around the house, and Stu just runs away. At least she gives him some exercise.


This is one of Amora's favorite places to relax.


Amora is an outside girl. She's so funny. She walks up to this water spout (must be this one) and sings to it. Silly girl.


We have a pass-through from the living room to the kitchen. When I'm cooking, Amora will climb up on the couch and proudly say hello.


This is my view of her from the living room.


When Daddy's at work, we like to cook together. Amora is very helpful pouring the ingredients into the bowl and stirring the contents. She's already learned that those who cook get to sample the food.


She also helps by putting the muffin cups in the pan.


We went to the zoo with some of our new friends and got to meet the penguins. Amora thought they were pretty fun.


Amora got her own set of pots and pans. Here she is teaching Mommy the right way to cook.


She also got a new swimming pool. It's a great way to cool off and show off her cute little swimsuit.


We've had a great summer so far and have enjoyed exploring our new city. Next weekend we're taking a short trip to Utah to visit some siblings. Pictures to come!

Amora and Her Leopard Friend

Is my daughter cute or what?

Crazy Month

We have had a busy May this year. First, my in-laws (who we were living with) miraculously sold their house and closed the end of April. We were scrambling for a place to live, not knowing if we would stay in CDA for a couple of weeks or a few months (it depended on when Adam got a job in Southern Idaho). After learning that no one rents on a month-to-month basis, we realized that we had to rely on the kindness of someone willing to take in a family of three (and having the space to do so). Our prayers were quickly answered, as a couple in our ward opened their home to us. It was such a blessing, and we loved getting to know this incredible couple. We will always remember them and how they lovingly took us in and tolerated a toddler terrorizing their home and cats. :)

Just as we were getting settled, Adam got a job in our target area! The thing is, they wanted him to start 8 days after getting the offer. He found us a place to live (without being able to look inside), we tied up loose ends in CDA, loaded up the U-haul, and moved in. It has been a whirlwind. Amora has struggled with all of the instability and chaos. But we are settling in. Our place is perfect for our needs, we have the freedom to fix things up the way we want them, and we love being on our own again. Although we've been so grateful for all the sacrifices so many have made on our behalf this past year, we love it being just the three of us. Well there will soon be four--we're getting a pet rat tomorrow.

We already miss our old friends in CDA, but we're excited to start this new adventure and make new friends. Thanks to all of you for your love, support, and prayers!

Here are a few pictures from this past month. Amora had to say goodbye to her best friend, Ryan (but not before they had a few laughs).


Amora being super cute in her grandma's hat.


Checking out the horses and chickens at the neighbor's house.


Playing with Daddy.


Picking Daddy's nose--look at how far in her finger is! Silly girl.

Decisions, Decisions

Being a grown-up requires a lot of decision-making. In our five years of marriage, Adam and I have been quite transitory, moving from place to place and gleaning knowledge and experience from each of those places. We have been blessed in every aspect of our lives and are so grateful. Soon, we will move on to the next chapter of our lives in Boise.

When Adam left his master’s program over a year ago, we were unsure of what career would be a good fit for him. My husband if very smart and very talented, so we knew something would be right. We just didn’t know what. I then lost my job teaching in Alabama. With no ties in Alabama, we headed back west to be closer to family. We agonized over what to do with our future and decided Adam would go into electrical engineering. As an engineer, Adam would adequately provide for our family and utilize his math brain. We never felt great about this choice but pursued it anyway so we would have a goal to strive for.

A couple of weeks ago we were distraught. We were at a very important fork in the road discussing careers and where to put down roots. We discussed a lot of career options and paths to take without any of them feeling great. Then I said, “What about a statistician?” I am confident Heavenly Father put this word in my mouth, as I have never said nor thought this before. We paused and were suddenly overcome with peace and assurance. None of our uncertainties seemed to matter anymore. We found the right path. If you know my husband, this is an absolute perfect fit for him that utilizes all of his unique gifts.

So what does this mean? One year of prerequisites in Boise then a master’s degree in applied statistics that could take us anywhere in the country. It should be about 2 ½ years of school instead of a rigorous three (for engineering). We are so excited! God answers prayers and guides us where we need to be. Sometimes He lets us agonize over things and feel chaotic and scared so that we recognize the contrast of peace when it comes.

So there you have it. Another new adventure for the Loumeau family. Oh yeah, and Amora is still the star of the show.

Easter

We had such a nice Easter. Amora looked beautiful in her new Easter dress and loved her Easter basket. Holidays are so much more fun with little ones. I'm not sure if you can tell from these photos, but our little girl has a big personality. We love her!