The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas is around the corner, and the older I get, the faster it seems to come and go. I'm determined this year not to let it smack me on the bum on its way out, but to corner it, embrace it, and try to let it linger in my home for as long as possible. Sooooo....The tree is up, the nativity scene in place, my crafting skills emerged to make a couple yarn wreaths, (thanks Pinterest, see below) the Christmas music is on, all of our sweaters are out of storage, the hot chocolate is brewing, and we've already watched some Christmas movies.  Does that entice you? It should. Come over already!

 We are going to the Christmas devotional tonight, and are excited for all of the other fun things planned for this month. Have I even started my Christmas shopping? Nope. Do I care? Not really.  Did I do any Black Friday shopping? Heck no! Not this year! There is no way I'm letting Christmas get the best of me and make me feel rushed and stressed to find the perfect gifts for everyone. Nope. I am going to enjoy the little moments a little bit more, serve a little more, and most importantly I'm going to focus on the Savior a little more.  He has given us the greatest gift of all...   Already I feel happier. :)

Turning ONE

 Happy Birthday Baby Boy!!! Joshua turned ONE! Has it really been an entire year?? My little baby is now a toddler! Whoa that went fast! I love being a mother, and happy to have such a sweet an loving little son. He truly is the light in my life.

If Josh was a summer baby we would have totally done a fun water party because he LOVES the water so much. Easy. But having a fall baby is fun too. Inspired by this little owl sweater from baby Gap, I decided on an Owl/Pumpkin party.

You can say I went a little Owl crazy. Just a little. (Okay....a lot.) "Owling" became a verb in my house. I was busy "owling" (making owls) for over a month. Yes, it was a little time consuming, but it gave me something mindless to do after Josh went to bed at night. Thanks to Pinterest and Etsy I got plenty of ideas on how to make this party a HOOT!

I never thought I could honestly enjoy all this decorating and home-making stuff. To my own surprise, I love it! In fact, the Jenny of a 2008 and the Jenny of today would be complete strangers. Friends, but strangers. Eat your heart out Martha Stewart!

Fun things on the menu: Dinner in a pumpkin.

Butterbeer (from Harry Potter)

Pumpkin and Chocolate Owl cupcakes

(thanks pinterest for the idea, and Marion for making them all!) love her

salad, chips n dip, pretzels, candy, cookies, etc. mmmmm....

 

 

 

 

 

  

Little Lion Man

Utah weather is crazy. One week we are boating on Utah Lake, the next week I'm starting my car early so the windshield can defrost! WHAT? Yup. Welcome to Utah. In many ways I am still hanging on to summer, not ready to let go of the the long days, warm sun, and flip flops. In other ways the excitement for fall and the holidays is in the air. Halloween has crept up on us, and we are getting ready early this year! We pulled our sweaters out, got a couple of pumpkins for the porch, and my house already is starting to feel cozy and warm. Conference weekend is a great way to begin a new season. Change is already in the air, and the words of our church leaders always inspire a change as well. Its a good time of year.

I got Josh's Halloween costume early. I couldn't help myself. Just look at it. Doesn't he make a great little Lion!???. He was scared the first time he looked in mirror and saw a fierce lion staring back!

 So we practice wearing it in hopes that on the big day he can muster up enough courage to face the real beasts.

 That's where Millie comes in. We start out by having a big Cat vs. big Dog staring contest.

 Josh usually wins...

 Sometimes he looses, that makes him sad..

I think he'll be alright. :)

Family Pics

Since I'm usually behind the camera, I don't have a lot of pictures that I'm actually in. So I really wanted to have some family pictures taken. Lucky for us, Keith's sister Kjrsten  happens to be an AMAZING photographer. Seeing the world through the lense of her camera is nothing short of magical. She makes life look so warm, inviting, and dreamy. Do yourself a favor and check her out here. :)

One Sunday Down

The look after 3 hours of church. Shirt untucked, socks and shoes off, collar frazled, hair messy, big smile.

Some of you may know that Keith recieved a new calling to the bishopric. This call came with a lot of different emotions; shock, excitement, bewilderment, some fear. We still aren't quite sure what it all encompasses exactly, but the spirit was felt last Sunday when he was set apart and we both were overcome with immediate peace. He will be serving under the direction of a wonderful Bishop Barrett Christensen, and first councelor Josh Harmon. We are happy to serve with such great men and for such an incredible ward. 

I was so proud today after getting Josh ready this morning and off to church all by myself. We are lucky to have Keith's brother Andrew and his gorgeous wife Alexis also in our ward. Andrew wins the HERO badge today for helping me manage a very wiggly Joshua. We are excited for the opportunity of making more friends and being involved with the ward.
The reality of what this all means has been setting in for me today and this past week. Keith already travels weekly for work. He is usually gone 4-5 days. Between work, friends/family, and now his church duties we are literally going to have to pencil family time in. He has promised me a date every week. Last week I got an entire hour of him all to myself, and it was heaven.  I have a new respect for single mothers, military wives, and especially those with more than one kid! I salute you!

This also means that we are pressing a big fat pause button on looking at houses.

So...one Sunday down, many more to go! And we did it!

Words of Wisdom

Post Post Potter Depression

I am a nerd.
My close friends know this.
I love books.
 I always have and always will.
There is something magical about opening up a new book and falling inside. I'm pretty sure I fell in love with Harry Potter in High School, and every summer after that when a new book would come out and I would spend days lost in their pages. Its a love that has been going on for almost a DECADE! An affair of sorts. (I'm not that old, I promise.) After reading the last Harry Potter, I went through post Potter Depression. I'm not the only one! You know who you are. I feel that way AGAIN after the last movie. Thanks JK. The movies are always just okay. I watched the last one with my dear lovely friend Monique and her husband Nate, and my adorable mom. She was filling in for my husband and I don't know if she even watched much of the movie because I kept interupting her with whispers of "thats not what happens in the book.." It was my obligation to help her know the truth. I especially wasn't thrilled with all the changes in the ending...I'll never understand why films stray from the original text so much. I mean seriously, is it too much to ask? Why do they have to mess with something thats just right the way it is? I want to know what JK thinks about all this rubbish. I will say that I heart Ron's nostrils. I have an urge to pinch them together everytime I see him.

He finally did it!

My baby brother got married. The last of the three kids to tie the knot, and I couldn't be happier for him! I love weddings. Andrew's sealing was particularly special for me because our mission President performed it. First of all, it was a phenomenal experience serving the same mission with my brother. Second of all, we were lucky to have served under the direction of President Don Clarke. He is the most incredible man I know (except for my husband of course) who leaves anyone who comes in contact with him a desire to be a better person. He makes you feel like you can accomplish anything. He and his wife have been serving in Guatemala for the past 5 years as Area Presidents for Central America. 5 years!! Before that they were in Bolivia for 3 years. That is an incredible service! His advice to Andrew and Erica was simple and profound. I want to share it with everyone because I believe that if we follow this counsel, we will be happier in our homes and marriages.

The four main reasons people get divorced are in CAPITOL letters. What we can do to make sure we steer clear of falling into those traps is italicized.

1) CHASTITY

•  Continue to date one another! Treat each other the way we did when we were dating, as if we are still trying to win each others hearts.
• Kiss each other at least 10 times a day.
• Have a date night each week, and most importantly
• Make time to go to the temple.

2) MONEY

• Pay your tithing.
• Spend Less than you make!
• Don't let wants become needs.

3) PRIDE

• You don't always have to be right.

4) COMMUNICATION

• Talk to each other
• Pray together
• Read Scriptures together
• Hold Family Home Evenings
• Hold weekly family meetings

I was so impressed by this that I wanted to share it with everyone! I am so grateful to be part of a church that teaches true principles. And I am proud of my little brother!

Simple things

I love summer!! Its finally starting to warm up outside. The warmth makes me come alive. I'm not alone in thinking that we have had the LONGEST winter/spring ever. No more rain please!! There is nothing more energizing for me than to wake up to sun rays streaming into the bedroom.
Summer's are usually a bit lonely because Keith travels 4-5 days a week for work. Its challenging some days to run the fort and take care of Josh all on my own, but I can't complain because I am grateful Keith has a good job in this economy, and that he is able and willing to work so dang hard . That doesn't dismiss the fact that we miss him a LOT, but if anything, it makes me appreciate the time we have together so much more.
Besides, look at who I get to hang out with all day?! Josh is my little buddy.
We were in Washington last week having a stay-cation with Keith's family. His mom is unable to travel anymore due to her Cancer, so the entire family (all 30 something) went to her. We had so much fun by the pool, having a Luau, playing games, and simply enjoying each others company. Its made me really reflect these past few days on the importance of family. Life FLIES by, and in the end, its our relationships that really matter.
So we have made it a goal to spend less time on our computers and in front of the TV, and more time doing things together. So for the past few evenings, we've gone to the park, went on a long walk, hit golf balls at the driving range, and had a BBQ in our backyard. Its been so nice being able to spend time outside. 
PS the top 4 pics were taken with my new ipad! Not bad eh?

6 months

Dear Joshua,

How has it already been 6 months?! Weren't you just born? Where is the pause button!? I want to put you in a bottle and store you away forever. Here are some of my favorite things about you:

• you love to explore new things
• you think all the silly noises we make are funny
• you start on one side of the room and roll to the other
• in the mornings you wake me up cooing
• your chubby little hands love to sweep and grab everything in sight
• you can sit up for a few minutes, before toppling over
• you get excited to play in the water
• you love making water angels in the bathtub
• you love to eat! and are having fun trying new fruits and vegi's
• you love looking at your reflection in the mirror, you don't know who it is yet, but you get so excited!
• you love to go on walks
• you think your daddy is so funny

I love you baby. Thank you for changing my life and giving me a reason to be the best I can be.

Love Always, Mommy