an update

So I'm going to attempt to update you on all the going-ons for our family. We have recently gotten the very good news that Jared is going to be moving into a permanent position on Fort Leonard Wood starting June 23. He will be working with the Chemical School on post and it's looking like we'll be in Missouri for a while longer. Actually, this is what we've been praying for. We have always said that if we can't be close to family we'd like to stay in Missouri and enjoy just being settled in one place for a little longer.
I had my 29th birthday in April. It was great. We went out to eat and I got some great gifts. I wanted maternity clothes to have when my belly starts getting big and that's what I got along with some awesome Asics that are wonderful for my aching feet. I'm pretty set!
Luke also had his first birthday May 19th. He's about the cutest birthday boy I've seen! We had a friend make a really amazing birthday cake. It was two layers of beauty. We put it in front of Luke and He dug in with both hands! It was so funny and since he'd never had cake or chocolate (or sweets at all) he knew this was something super special and he LOVED it! Nonnie and Papa (Jessica's parents) flew out for the occasion and we went to Branson, MO for the week. It was great. On Luke's birthday, we spent the day at Silver Dollar City, a theme park where they feature craftspeople. They have buildings designated for the different crafts ie. woodworking, pottery, glassblowing, candlemaking, candy making, metal arts, baskets, etc. That week they were also hosting bluegrass music performers and had concerts all over the park. It was so perfect--weather, atmosphere, company, food. I couldn't have asked for a better day for Luke's special birthday!
Another great thing that we've gotten to do is come out west for a few weeks. Adam, Jessica's nephew, had his mission farewell on the 8th of June. He has been called to the Honolulu, Hawaii mission. He went into the MTC a week ago. He is a great kid and now a great missionary. It has been so wonderful to be visiting with family. Luke and I have been in Salt Lake visiting with Kim and Candace and their families. We also got to see grandma and grandpa Bernotski (Erik and the Johnsons) on Monday. We all met up at Lisa's and we had a picnic and celebrated Miles' birthday (5 years old!). It was fun for Luke to see those cousins too.