Yep- He's a McKeon

We are alive!

So, we spent the last two weeks in Seattle at my mom's house. I watched my "little" sisters while she and her husband went on a cruise. It was quite the trip.

Jared did really well on the plane both ways. he is such a good little boy. He felt like such a big boy using his daddy's computer and head phones to watch jungle book. definitely made the flight go by faster!

They were so cute and celebrated my birthday when we got there. i hadn't had a cake with my name written on it in who knows how many years! Above is me and my sister rachel, below is my sister becky.
At the beginning of the week, jared got really sick. the worst he has ever been. poor kid had a fever of 103 for 5 days with random vomiting about once a day. I took him to an urgent care (where he freaked out, threw up all over me, and wouldn't let the doctor near him). the doctor decided he must have and ear infection. yeah right. the guy didn't even get to look in his ears. the next day jared's fever finally broke and he was covered in a rash head to toe.

at first i freaked out, thinking he was allergic to the amoxicillan (he's never been on an antibiotic before) but then after giving him benedryl and his rash not going away, i realized it must have been roseola virus.

He is doing a lot better now. very happy to be home. needless to say, we didn't do a ton of playing while there. jared mostly just had to be held and was acting like he was dying.

we did finally venture out on monday 'cause the girls didn't have school. we went to the famous pike's place market. it was way cool.

the adventure kind of got started on the wrong foot- the keys (and my bag with everything in it) got locked in the car. thank goodness for AAA. we had to spend the first hour hanging out by the car.

it was also pretty cold, and jared still wasn't doing too well. so, you know, all things considered, at least i can say i've been there. i'll have to go back sometime with different circumstances.

i still haven't gotten any mail from jason yet. BUT i have talked to him TWICE on the phone. how lucky am I? both the last two mondays he has gotten a 5 MINUTE phone call. and yes, it's really like 4 1/2 minutes 'cause he has to hang up early.

he seems to be doing alright. this last call he was sooooo sick. i could barely understand him because he didn't have a voice. but, he said other than having some type of flu, it really hasn't been too bad.

he's started the physical training. he said that there are actually a lot of "older" (as in closer to his age than 18) guys in his group. which is nice because they don't mess around too much- which means they haven't had to do a lot of extra push-ups.

i'll continue to keep you posted. we are happy to be home and sooooooo ready for this baby to come!

NOSE!!

that is what jared calls snow. he's gotten this funny habit where he puts the "s" at the end of every word that should begin with 's'. so, his uncle scott is "cotts" and snow is "nows", etc.

but, boy did we get some real snow today. i think it is close to 2 feet. and still going. i was talking to my neighbors (who very graciously snow blowed and shovelled for me) and they said that ogden hasn't gotten snow like this in at least 15 years. it's crazy!

It's a bittersweet symphony ......

so, jason's flight got cancelled on tuesday (due to the weather in chicago, his connecting flight). we got to go down to salt lake and spend another evening with him. we went to dinner and then just hung out at the pool in his hotel. (we weren't allowed to go into his room)

it was absolutely wonderful to be able to spend more time with him, but saying goodbye a second time was terrible. i think we were both crying more. (shhh, don't tell him i told you)

but jared got to play with his daddy, and that is what matters. and, since he was flying today, he got to call and sing me happy birthday. actually, i got to talk to him four times today- every lay over and while waiting for his shuttle. the best birthday present ever!

but, now his phone is off, and i won't hear from him (by phone) until then end of march. only good old fashioned letters.

My big boy!

Saying "CHEESE!"

Jason had to report to a hotel in Salt Lake last night by 10:00 pm. yes, he is gone. crazy. i still don't know exactly what i'm thinking or feeling. for the most part, i'm fine (it hasn't even been 24 hours yet!) but when jared starts asking for him, i want to break down. but hey, life goes on.

anyway, before he left, i shaved his head. not quite bald- which is what they will do when he gets to basic, but pretty close. i also did jared's head. my baby looks like a big boy!

it's a little shorter than i will probably keep it, but i wanted him to look like his daddy.

Some fun in California!

Hit pause on the music so you can hear my cute boy giggling! (the music has been moved to the right, a little ways down)

Called to Serve!!! --- FINALLY!!!!!!

My brother, Will, has been "talking" about a mission for a long time. he's 23, a little older than the average missionary. but yes, ladies and gentelmen, he has finally received his mission call.

he will report to the South Africa Mission Training Center on May 1st. He will serve in the Zimbabwe Harare Mission!!!

We are SOOOOOO EXCITED for him and his upcoming adventure. He has waited a long time for this, keeping himself worthy and dedicated to the gospel. he will be an amazing missionary! We love you Will!

Gone and done it.......

I don't even know where to begin. Some of you I haven't talked to in a while, therefore, the following post might seem sparse of detail. sorry. i'm not going to take the time for a full explanation just yet. maybe next week when i have more time.

first, the new template. it is called "army wife". yes, that is what i am-- officially.

jason was sworn in as a member of the Utah National Guard as of January 2nd. He will be trained in military intelligence, reporting to "boot camp" and training on January 8th.

yes, you read that right. As of tuesday, i will be without a husband until about the first week in AUGUST.

no, he will not be able to come home when the baby is born. we will be able to go and visit him, just not sure when yet or how often.

he will spend the next 10 weeks in Kentucky attending basic training. then he will go directly to Arizona for his intelligence training, which is 19 weeks long.

once that is all done, he gets to come home, finish school, work, and see where the lord sends us next!

As nervous and shocked as we are right now, we know it is the right thing for our family. i'm definitely not the first mom in the world to spend time "alone." i won't be totally alone and life will go on. 7+ months really is just a short period in life. the end result will bring about goals and accomplishments that need to be met.

i'm so proud of my husband for having the courage to take this giant step. he is my hero.