MTC memories

Yes, indeed- I got to go and relive the wonderful memories of the Provo, UT Mission Training Center. My brother, Pat, entered the MTC yesterday. It was quite the joyous occasion. He was nervous, and it was cute to see. But he was definetly prepared and ready to serve. He went for the right reasons, which i think is very important. he doesn't have a girl waiting (the one he thought was going to wait got married two weeks ago very surprisingly {sp?}) I can't wait to see how it all goes. My dad drove him out, so it was good to spend some time with him.
As I sat there during the welcoming meeting, my emotions were running wild. Unfortunatly they were all selfish ones, not related to my brothers departure- we just really aren't that close and I have full confidence that he will be taken care of (i don't think I need to be emotional about him leaving to show that I love him- but that's a topic for another day) And my emotions weren't portrayed for all to see- i wasn't crying or anything. I don't know if it was guilt, that I'm not living up to what i once was, or if I just miss that time of my life. I really think it was guilt. I'm a slacker. I know I can be doing more missionary work and sharing more with others. I'm very content- no not even just content- i'm extremely happy with my life right now. I have an above average husband who i know loves me completly, an amazing son, a house, a dog, two cars, a strong testimony of the gospel, a fun calling in the church, good friends, a loving family, health, strength, knowledge, a college degree, i don't have work and I choose not to.... i could go on and on. What more do I need? Nothing really. And yet, as I sat there in that meeting, I realized that even with all that i have and do, there is something more. I don't know if it is something more that i need- as in a physical object or a talent- or if it is something more that i can be doing. My first inclination is that it is something more that I can be doing. But what? i guess some fasting and prayer along with temple attendance are in order to figure that out. But it was a different feeling then i've ever had before. Like when I was first thinking about going on a mission- i knew i had to do that and i did it. Same for going to Romania, or getting married, or having Jared. None of those things came at the most convinient times, but I knew they were right and I had to do them. But now, anything really could come my way, and it would be convinient- well, I say that, and the Lord will send a plague my way- but anyway. I guess, now that I don't have a degree to be working on, or anything really, for the first time in my life I have to start finding my own DIFFERENT kinds of things to do. Obviously, I'm raising Jared and running my household, and that is a major responsibility, but there is something else that needs to go along with that- not something that is going to distract me from those things. Ok, now i'm just rambling.

San Antonio 2007

So, I've decided my sister is amazing. We, Jared and I, just returned from an eight day stay in San Antonio with Amy and her crazy boys. She's about ready to pop with her fifth child, yes a girl-- FINALLY! Her husband is studying to take his final boards to complete his residency as a radiologist in June and then a week later they will move to Boston for a year while he does his fellowship at the Boston Chidren's Hospital. All of this is going to happen in the next five weeks. I went out to help her de-junk (is that a word?) her house so that the movers can just come in and pack it all up and she won't even have to worry about it. It is all organized. We accomplished the task. She's ready for her baby. But seriously, I don't know how Amy does it. Christian is so busy, most of the time she works like a single mom. Don't get me wrong, Christian is a wonderful dad, he loves his boys and they adore him, but at this phase in their lives, he doesn't have a whole lot of time. I guess the sacrifice is worth it, knowing that in a year from now things will be different. He won't have to go to the hospital every morning at 4 a.m. to study. He will be able to choose his schedule- which will mean less on-call shifts, nights, and weekends. But they just had their 10th wedding anniversary and it made me realize that they have lived like this for the last ten years. He has technically been going to school their entire marriage. First his masters, then medical school, then residency, now fellowship. WOW- i'm just trying to get my husband to finish his BA. All that is impressive, but I don't think I'd have the patience to do it. I need my husband around. I guess I'm just needy that way. Or is that normal? I can't conclude if one way is right or wrong. They make a ton more money than we do. But hopefully- if all goes as planned- by the time we hit 10 years we'll be in that position- and not have gone to 15 years of school. Who knows- I guess to each his own.
On a different note- our trip was great. Jared couldn't get enough of those boys and Jenna- their dog. He is a bit bored by himself now. He loved all the commotion. We went to the zoo, though he slept through most of it. We went with Ethan and Aiden to their school's family fun night- where we lost each boy at least once- but it was great. Amy sent us home with an entire large 18 gallon rubbermaid full of baby clothes and other cool stuff. If I lived closer she probaby would have furnished my house. She's pretty much downsizing everything. They are going to be in a pretty small place in Boston, and after that she'll be able to afford to buy it all new again. Jared cut another tooth, but neither of them have really grown all that much. I'm not sure how long that takes- for them to be all the way up- but for now they are just two little white dots in his mouth.
I love being able to visit family. Wish we did it more often.

The joy of Laughing

Just a quick thought I had yesterday. Jared is finally cutting his first tooth. We are so happy, but he just hasn't been. This is VERY rare. I realized yesterday for the first time that one of my greatest personal responsibilities as a mother is to make sure that I hear my son giggle or laugh at least once a day. Granted, there will be occasions when this might not happen, but I think that really those are very few. Even in the worst circumstances and situations, there is always something funny. They do say that laughter is the best medicine. I started realizing this after having a pretty grumpy child for the first time in his life, but after a few tickles and stories, his total attitude changed. Even in a ten month old baby, laughter can cure the pain. (yes, as of yesterday, Jared is now 10 months old)

Playing with new web tools!

And it begins......

This actually happened some time last week, but i'm just getting around to uploading my pictures. I was in the bathroom-- forgot to put the Cheerios box away before I went (which was closed tightly as a cereal box can be sitting as far up on the chair as i thought it needed to be.) I think the pictures pretty much explain the rest.

What's all the buzz about?

We took Jared to his first baseball game on Saturday-- the Salt Lake City Bees! he loved just being able to be outside for such a long time. the weather couldn't have been better. We went with the Doughmans and sat on the grass so the kids could play. Jared and Isabelle even got to ride the yellow and black train.


Though-- the day couldn't have passed without a few hilarious moments. First, if you can see from the picture we were sitting on a little bit of a hill- obviously- this makes it kind of like stadium seating. well, jared just couldn't quite keep his balance the whole time. At one point while leaning forward to eat the cheerios that I had place in front of him, he lost it- and rolled down the hill. and I mean, like rolled and couldn't stop himself from rolling. He almost rolled right into the people in front of us, but I caught him in time. Those people, and us, were laughing pretty hard. It scared him a little bit, but he was fine.

Then, towards the end of the game, Shawna and I were with the kids at the little park (yes, this was a pretty cool game, they have a park, free train rides and free astro jump, just to entertain the kids while dad watches the game) and as fancy as this all seemed- they even had cushions on the park benches so your buns don't get sore. Just make sure you don't sit in the spot where the seems have little holes. Yes, after I got up from the bench the entire seat of my shorts was soaking wet. Luckily it was warm outside, and I was told that it was obvious that I had sat in something. It was kind of funny.

Over all it was a great day. The kids even got to go and run the bases at the end of the game. It was a very family friendly environment- felt like a small town baseball game- when in actuality it is right in down town salt lake. They didn't even check our bags when we walked into the stadium! it's been years since i haven't had that happen- for any event. even at my little sister's cheer competition that we went to in february in las vegas, they searched my bag! go figure.

Oh, and yes, the bees won the game! they were playing Las Vegas 51's-- the reason daddy was insistent that we went this weekend to a game. The Bees are affliated with the Los Angeles Angels, and the 51's are the DODGERS-- so yes, dad had to go and see his future Dodgers.

HAPPY 1st EASTER

Our little boy just loved his easter basket! he got a little scared when he couldn't figure out how to get it off of his head... but still, it was a blessed day. we had the privilege of spending the weekend with jason's sister shawna and her family (which is what we have loved doing for the last three years.... they have three incredible kids that are so much fun to help in the egg hunt-- not to mention that there is always GOOD food) Jared got his fill of good 'ol peeps from his aunt shawna-- those were the only candy that he could actually eat. I think Jason was a little shocked when he read the label and realized that they truly are just sugar, and more sugar. But, they are allergy free and jared thought that they were delicious!! It was his first true taste of yummy refined sugar.

We got to go to church with them in park city, and i will have to say that jared was the highlight of sunday school. Though the lesson was on Christ, and how he taught the gospel (the teacher was talking about how difficult it was for Him to teach gospel truths and miracles to those that new nothing of a "gospel") and the man sitting behind us raised his hand and pointed out how incredible Jared was (he had been entertaining the entire room throughout the lesson) and birth and life and raising a child is such a miracle that we can't explain and will never fully understand. He pointed out that, like many gospel principles, I, as his mother, couldn't tell him everyday that he was going to write a famous symphony one day and just expect it to actually happen. That isn't the way it works. We don't dictate what happens in the world. While our choices and actions greatly influence the outcomes, in reality, there truly is a greater being that is helping us live our lives. There is no denying that. As a missionary i spoke with quite a few atheists that when it came down to it, they really didn't believe that there wasn't a greater being, they just didn't know who or what that being was. How grateful i am for my testimony of the gospel and the miracles that around me everyday. My little boy is living proof that there is a God, and that God has enough faith in me and other parents around the world to send his children to us to guide back to him. WOW-- what a responsibility!

Time flies when you're having fun.... or something like that

I love that it's spring. it's helping to motivate me to get off my butt and get some good exercise. i'm now walking at least twice a day and doing some strength training too! it feels so good... kind of anyway, i'm quite sore. but i have to loose just enough more weight to be able to fit into my summer clothes or i'm going to have a big problem- or i'll just wear the same two pairs of shorts for the next six months! but really, it is wonderful. we've been keeping ourselves so busy that i didn't realize just how long it'd been since i've posted last. really, it's not that long, but quite a bit has happened!

first and most exciting.... JARED IS FINALLY CRAWLING!!! he is an absolute animal and the cutest thing ever. he thinks he is so big and can do anything. no fear in that boy. he also took two steps yesterday, and i honestly don't think it will be too much longer before he figures the walking thing out. he is ready to dominate the world (which in reality he already does- at least our world!) i just can't get enough of his smiles. as soon as i figure out how to put a video on here i will do so.

next, yes indeed i finished my classes and will soon have my diploma with a bachelor's degree in health education with an emphasis in nutrition. it is very fulfilling to finally finish. i feel free to do what i want without something constantly hanging over my head. it's great.

Third--we've started to plant our first garden. our ward has a community garden that is adjacent to our lot, though we still have to walk around the block to access it because of a fence, and we have a good size plot where we can plant whatever we want. they have a sprinkler system all set up (still not sure who pays for the water) and even had a rota tiller there for us to turn the earth with. it was a wonderful activity to do on saturday in between conference sessions. we are praying that we have all of this fresh produce to help our little jared boy to continue to grow strong.

Finally-- i have come to a realization that it is really going to be an entire new learning process for me to try and figure out what to feed my little allergy boy. i've been doing tons of reading and all the books say that if he has had problems as an infant, then to keep him away from milk, wheat, egg, fish, shellfish, nuts, and for him, soy, until he is 3 years old to help his body get rid of the allergies naturally so that he will not have to deal with them the rest of his life. While this is a daunting process (have you ever read any of your food labels?? it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to find something that does not have milk and soy in it or that we even processed in a plant that might have mixed milk or soy into it) i feel that it is exactly what jason and I need and really the rest of our children yet to come. when i approached jason on the idea of totally changing our diet to somewhat (with some exceptions- jason couldn't live without cheese) match jared's so that he will eat what i give him 'cause he sees us eating it, he was a bit hesitant. but i think overall it will be great. lots of fruits and vegetables and grains that i had never heard of before (when jason and i went to the store to buy some Millet he started going through the bins and showing me different things his mom used to make him eat-- i'm very grateful she prepped him for this, whether he likes it or not) so there you have it. rice milk with veggies drenched in flax seed oil for fat. sounds yummy eh?

(this picture shows jared's favorite pose-- whenever i'm holding the camera and tell him to smile, this is what he does!)