Tigers, Trips, and Tantrums

Its been a week filled with pleasant surprises, simple happy moments, and even some rare down time to relax by myself.

HIGHLIGHTS

Monday night we went shopping for a few new outfits for Afton since he didn't have a lot of summer clothes and it has been BAKING HOT the past few weeks. Gymboree had an amazing sale on all their summer stuff and we scored some super cute things for ridiculously cheap. Just look at this cutie! The hat was his favorite item and he has insisted on wearing it sun up to sun down every day since we got it. Probably cause dad has one just like it.

Early this week I woke up with the terrifying realization that I was going to be back in school in about two months and that I still did not have an internship set up. If I wanted to be able to graduate this fall and NOT have to do an internship post grad I would need to have one secured before school started. So I kicked my butt into high gear and started calling around trying desperately to find something, anything, to use as an internship. After calling around for a while with no luck I called the local Crisis Center and they miraculously had some time for an interview! Tuesday morning I dropped Afton off at a friend's house and headed over for the interview in Rexburg. Entering the building I figured there was no way I was going to secure this internship. The Family Crisis Center works with women and children who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual assault. Most interns accepted are sociology, psychology, or marriage and family studies majors. Now, I've taken psychology and basic parenting and family courses as well as advocacy courses but nothing like what the sociology majors study. It was a shot in the dark. After a half hour interview, the owner turned to me and said "Well, I think we can accept you today". Ummm...what?!? I'd heard of people getting a job right in the interview before, but I never thought it would happen to me! So the short of it is.... I have an internship which more importantly means.... I'M FINALLY GOING TO GRADUATE!!!!! Getting my bachelor's degree has been a long hard journey for me so it feels incredibly amazing to know that graduating will be a very real, tangible, and feasible accomplishment in just five months. 

I can't even explain how much I want to be done with school. To be able to spend all of my time with my son would be pure bliss. I hate leaving him every semester when I go back. Getting my internship squared away this week has lifted so much stress off of my shoulders. I can now really relax and enjoy the rest of my summer!

Thursday we made our (nearly) weekly visit to see the animals at the zoo. To say that Afton is an animal lover would be a gross understatement. If he could live at a zoo I'm pretty sure he would. Every night when I tuck him into bed he asks to go see the monkeys at the zoo, which I think is absolutely adorable.

The tiger was pacing right next to the wall which I thought was really cool since he's usually up on his perch at the far end of the exibit.

"Later gater!" -Afton

On Friday Cortney left for Cedar City, Utah on a business trip to film a motorcycle event, so we headed to the lake with some friends. Best place to be when you don't have air conditioning and its sweltering hot!

Saturday we headed to Idaho Falls for lunch at Chick Fil-A and then went to the park for a grand total of fifteen minutes before Afton walked in front of a kid on a swing and was plowed over. Outing over. He wasn't too hurt, just shocked but totally not interested in playing anymore. We took the rest of the day easy and watched Brother Bear before bed.

Wearing his hat yet again before bed!

Cortney being away means I get to watch all the movies and T.V. shows he hates! I've been junking out on romantic movies and Oreos. Ahhh its like being single all over again! Just a sampling of what I've watched in three days: Safe Haven, Easy A, Country Strong, Chuck, Tristan and Isolde, and Witches of East End. Happiness is power over the remote control! Truthfully I'm ready for Cortney to be home. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all but parenting solo sucks!

AND ALL THE REST...

Afton had entered the terrible twos. He is going through a serious ownership phase where if he deems something is his (even if its not) he melts into a puddle and throws a tantrum when it is taken away or used by another child. Advice?

This wonderful new terrible twos stage has also brought with it a lot of hitting and biting. No matter how much we tell him to stop and put him in time out he still does it. I know he eventually will grow out of all of this but until then I can't have him running around biting, hitting, and screaming in every one's face. Any helpful tips moms?

My life might be simple and ordinary, but its the sweet everyday moments that make me feel like I'm leading an exciting one. The times when Afton uncontrollably laughs at doorstops, plays peek a boo with me, or takes my face in his little hands to bring me close for a kiss, those are the moments I live for. My sweet son and handsome husband are what I live for and I will be forever grateful for their presence in my life.