Yes, Tate is a giant compared to Claire. And (sidenote) I love Claire's face in this picture.
I got a picture of little Claire giving a peace sign.
Happy Black Friday! I feel a little silly wishing a happy holiday I didn't really participate in. Though I did buy a dress online, it wasn't because of black friday...it's for my sister's wedding. But I'm really excited about it. Even though we didn't shop, Josh and I had a really great day together. It's always nice having the whole day to be with each other. Today we went swimming at the rec center. I've been with Tate before, but we brought Josh along this time. It was more fun having Josh there. We played in the little kid area, where Tate could crawl around. Then we went to the lazy river. That was fun, because we would hold Tate in a swimming position (head above water, of course) and he would do the butterfly (or dolphin) kick and even get his arms involved. It was so cute! His little bum would bob up and down. Josh and I would laugh and laugh. Then I would come up behind him and "scare" Tate and as I got closer he would kick faster.
We also so Frozen with Josh's family today. I liked it! I loved the little snowman. We also brought Tate along. Luckily we had Sharon there, who held him the whole time! Tate did a pretty good job, considering he's never seen a movie before.
So, even though that's only two things we did, it was a pretty eventful day. I loved it!
I've been thinking a lot about time. And it's kind of silly, but I'm grateful we have time and time keeps going and life goes on. There have been times in my life where the days can't go fast enough and time is going so slow. But then other times I want time to stop! I guess I love that we have days and nights and we have a structured set up of awake time and sleep time. I want to use my time better and not waste so many minutes doing useless things. A few conferences ago, I was sad I was growing up! I thought all the really, really good times were over. I had graduated college, finished soccer, had Tate, and then I thought "now what!" Now I'm just going to get old! Then President Packer gave a talk and he shared a poem he wrote about how we wouldn't trade what he's learned growing older for youth. It brought so much comfort to me. Time is great! And life should just keep getting better!
Yes, Tate is a giant compared to Claire. And (sidenote) I love Claire's face in this picture.
I got a picture of little Claire giving a peace sign.
Happy Black Friday! I feel a little silly wishing a happy holiday I didn't really participate in. Though I did buy a dress online, it wasn't because of black friday...it's for my sister's wedding. But I'm really excited about it. Even though we didn't shop, Josh and I had a really great day together. It's always nice having the whole day to be with each other. Today we went swimming at the rec center. I've been with Tate before, but we brought Josh along this time. It was more fun having Josh there. We played in the little kid area, where Tate could crawl around. Then we went to the lazy river. That was fun, because we would hold Tate in a swimming position (head above water, of course) and he would do the butterfly (or dolphin) kick and even get his arms involved. It was so cute! His little bum would bob up and down. Josh and I would laugh and laugh. Then I would come up behind him and "scare" Tate and as I got closer he would kick faster.
We also so Frozen with Josh's family today. I liked it! I loved the little snowman. We also brought Tate along. Luckily we had Sharon there, who held him the whole time! Tate did a pretty good job, considering he's never seen a movie before.
So, even though that's only two things we did, it was a pretty eventful day. I loved it!
I've been thinking a lot about time. And it's kind of silly, but I'm grateful we have time and time keeps going and life goes on. There have been times in my life where the days can't go fast enough and time is going so slow. But then other times I want time to stop! I guess I love that we have days and nights and we have a structured set up of awake time and sleep time. I want to use my time better and not waste so many minutes doing useless things. A few conferences ago, I was sad I was growing up! I thought all the really, really good times were over. I had graduated college, finished soccer, had Tate, and then I thought "now what!" Now I'm just going to get old! Then President Packer gave a talk and he shared a poem he wrote about how we wouldn't trade what he's learned growing older for youth. It brought so much comfort to me. Time is great! And life should just keep getting better!
My phone cannot hold anymore pictures or videos, because I have too many, so here's one of my favorites.
Happy Thanksgiving! We have had a great day! I love thanksgiving, I think it's my 3rd favorite holiday (Christmas is #1 and Josh's birthday is #2). I love the weather at this time of year - today was a beautiful day. And I love the way things look and just the feeling. It's awesome. We went to my grandparents' house and then to Josh's. Both were wonderful. We got to see lots of family! Tate did a great job and he even ate some yams...not really, he spit them out as soon as I put them in, but it's a start! Tate was so funny, because every time Kenzie would hold him he would give her a HUGE kiss. Everytime! And there was a blanket with Heather's family pictures and Tate would kiss the picture of Eli.
Today I felt overwhelmed by my blessings. There are seriously just too many! I am really so so blessed. My life is so happy. I was reading a General Conference talk by President Eyring and he was talking about forgiveness and how because of Jesus Christ we can be forgiven, and that thought (even though I've known my whole life) seriously blew my mind. How sad would our lives be if we couldn't be forgiven? We would have no hope! Our lives are so great because things can and do get better! So I think I am most grateful for that today. We can hope!!
My phone cannot hold anymore pictures or videos, because I have too many, so here's one of my favorites.
Happy Thanksgiving! We have had a great day! I love thanksgiving, I think it's my 3rd favorite holiday (Christmas is #1 and Josh's birthday is #2). I love the weather at this time of year - today was a beautiful day. And I love the way things look and just the feeling. It's awesome. We went to my grandparents' house and then to Josh's. Both were wonderful. We got to see lots of family! Tate did a great job and he even ate some yams...not really, he spit them out as soon as I put them in, but it's a start! Tate was so funny, because every time Kenzie would hold him he would give her a HUGE kiss. Everytime! And there was a blanket with Heather's family pictures and Tate would kiss the picture of Eli.
Today I felt overwhelmed by my blessings. There are seriously just too many! I am really so so blessed. My life is so happy. I was reading a General Conference talk by President Eyring and he was talking about forgiveness and how because of Jesus Christ we can be forgiven, and that thought (even though I've known my whole life) seriously blew my mind. How sad would our lives be if we couldn't be forgiven? We would have no hope! Our lives are so great because things can and do get better! So I think I am most grateful for that today. We can hope!!
It's so hard to get a good picture of Tate these days, because he's always on the move...even when he's strapped into his carseat. I love this picture, because it shows his two front teeth, which I love.
Tate's been doing this funny thing with his eyes lately. He closes them slowly and it is so funny. He kind of does it in this video.
(I can't remember if I posted this already...oh well!)
Tate doing his new eye trick aka closing them and looking so cute!
Lately I've started listening to music more. I love it! Usually I play happy, peppy, the-world-is-great-type music when Tate is having a rough day and it helps so much. There are so many amazing people with amazing talent! Here's my music confession I suppose... I love Beyonce. I don't love all her songs, but I think she is so so good at singing. If I ever need a girl power moment, I turn on some Beyonce. I also have been listening to covers of songs, and I love those a lot, because it's more normal people with not-so-normal abilities. So I love music and I'm grateful for it. I'm also trying to be better at making sure my music is uplifting and has a good message and makes me feel happy and good- good as in a good person. And Tate and I listen to Mozart a lot too, because I love it and I think it makes him smarter haha. It's a win-win.
Monday Tate and I spent all day doing laundry, and then of course yesterday Tate spit up on almost everything I cleaned haha. I washed the sheets, spit up on. I cleaned all my pants, spit up on. I cleaned his clothes, spit up on and pooped on. Cleaned his pajamas, peed out of four pjs. At the end of the day I just had to laugh. I take responsibility for the spit up on the sheets, because I was bouncing him after he ate and he spit up a ton. So that's my bad.
Tate is doing a little better each day putting food in his mouth and not gagging. I am trying to give him time in his high chair with finger foods on the tray. He likes rice checks and they are good because they dissolve pretty easily. Sometimes he'll feed me something and it is so cute and he thinks it is so funny. He loves chewing on carrots, but it has to be the big carrots, not baby ones. He'll hold it and gnaw on it and then give it to me to have a bite and then take it back and gnaw on it some more.
Tate is doing really well sleeping. He pretty much goes through the night, he goes to sleep at 7 and wakes up around 10 or 11 to eat and then sleeps to 7 again. I remember thinking this would never happen, and it has! And he naps pretty well. So he's a champ.
He has taken a step or two, but I am not sure if they count as steps. They are really small and he doesn't stay standing very long afterwards. But he loves walking while holding our fingers. He gets so chatty when he does it. He loves going outside. If I open the door he gets so excited. And sometimes when I close it, he cries. I love that he loves the outdoors, because I do too! I can't believe how big he is!
I was talking to Sharon and she mentioned the picture of me with a pregnancy test I posted and she and Rachel thought for just a split second that I was pregnant, until they saw the caption. I didn't even think of that when I posted it! haha So just to clear up any confusion, I'm not pregnant.
It's so hard to get a good picture of Tate these days, because he's always on the move...even when he's strapped into his carseat. I love this picture, because it shows his two front teeth, which I love.
Tate's been doing this funny thing with his eyes lately. He closes them slowly and it is so funny. He kind of does it in this video.
(I can't remember if I posted this already...oh well!)
Tate doing his new eye trick aka closing them and looking so cute!
Lately I've started listening to music more. I love it! Usually I play happy, peppy, the-world-is-great-type music when Tate is having a rough day and it helps so much. There are so many amazing people with amazing talent! Here's my music confession I suppose... I love Beyonce. I don't love all her songs, but I think she is so so good at singing. If I ever need a girl power moment, I turn on some Beyonce. I also have been listening to covers of songs, and I love those a lot, because it's more normal people with not-so-normal abilities. So I love music and I'm grateful for it. I'm also trying to be better at making sure my music is uplifting and has a good message and makes me feel happy and good- good as in a good person. And Tate and I listen to Mozart a lot too, because I love it and I think it makes him smarter haha. It's a win-win.
Monday Tate and I spent all day doing laundry, and then of course yesterday Tate spit up on almost everything I cleaned haha. I washed the sheets, spit up on. I cleaned all my pants, spit up on. I cleaned his clothes, spit up on and pooped on. Cleaned his pajamas, peed out of four pjs. At the end of the day I just had to laugh. I take responsibility for the spit up on the sheets, because I was bouncing him after he ate and he spit up a ton. So that's my bad.
Tate is doing a little better each day putting food in his mouth and not gagging. I am trying to give him time in his high chair with finger foods on the tray. He likes rice checks and they are good because they dissolve pretty easily. Sometimes he'll feed me something and it is so cute and he thinks it is so funny. He loves chewing on carrots, but it has to be the big carrots, not baby ones. He'll hold it and gnaw on it and then give it to me to have a bite and then take it back and gnaw on it some more.
Tate is doing really well sleeping. He pretty much goes through the night, he goes to sleep at 7 and wakes up around 10 or 11 to eat and then sleeps to 7 again. I remember thinking this would never happen, and it has! And he naps pretty well. So he's a champ.
He has taken a step or two, but I am not sure if they count as steps. They are really small and he doesn't stay standing very long afterwards. But he loves walking while holding our fingers. He gets so chatty when he does it. He loves going outside. If I open the door he gets so excited. And sometimes when I close it, he cries. I love that he loves the outdoors, because I do too! I can't believe how big he is!
I was talking to Sharon and she mentioned the picture of me with a pregnancy test I posted and she and Rachel thought for just a split second that I was pregnant, until they saw the caption. I didn't even think of that when I posted it! haha So just to clear up any confusion, I'm not pregnant.
Seeing little Claire Jackson has made me look back at pictures of Tate when he was first born. I forgot he used to suck his bottom lip in. Aren't babies awesome!!
Josh and I were playing with Tate after Church and we were having so much fun! Josh was helping Tate walk and I would crawl after them and eventually catch Tate. Tate would look back at me and start laughing and he was laughing so hard, which made Josh and me laugh. We were probably being way too loud, but it was so fun. I was filled with so much happiness and fulfillment being with Josh and Tate. It was such a wonderful feeling. That is what I am grateful for. I am so grateful I am married to Josh and that he is such a good dad. And I am so grateful we have Tate. What did we do before Tate!? I will be the very first person to say being a mom has not been a walk in the park, but it has been more amazing than I could've imagined.
Also, yesterday (meaning Nov. 24-Sunday) I gave a Relief Society lesson for a different ward's Ward Conference. I was so nervous! And I don't get nervous teaching. I love teaching! But I was so nervous. I thought I was going to throw up during Sacrament meeting. But once I got going, I felt a lot of peace and the girls gave amazing comments. I learned so much! And Josh helped me so much on my lesson. I think I like teaching because I like to talk and I love preparing the lesson. But Josh is a naturally good teacher. He helped me add some thought-provoking questions that really helped the discussion during the lesson. So it wouldn't have gone so well without Josh's help. He's amazing (and he'd be really embarrassed if he read this, but that's okay).
Seeing little Claire Jackson has made me look back at pictures of Tate when he was first born. I forgot he used to suck his bottom lip in. Aren't babies awesome!!
Josh and I were playing with Tate after Church and we were having so much fun! Josh was helping Tate walk and I would crawl after them and eventually catch Tate. Tate would look back at me and start laughing and he was laughing so hard, which made Josh and me laugh. We were probably being way too loud, but it was so fun. I was filled with so much happiness and fulfillment being with Josh and Tate. It was such a wonderful feeling. That is what I am grateful for. I am so grateful I am married to Josh and that he is such a good dad. And I am so grateful we have Tate. What did we do before Tate!? I will be the very first person to say being a mom has not been a walk in the park, but it has been more amazing than I could've imagined.
Also, yesterday (meaning Nov. 24-Sunday) I gave a Relief Society lesson for a different ward's Ward Conference. I was so nervous! And I don't get nervous teaching. I love teaching! But I was so nervous. I thought I was going to throw up during Sacrament meeting. But once I got going, I felt a lot of peace and the girls gave amazing comments. I learned so much! And Josh helped me so much on my lesson. I think I like teaching because I like to talk and I love preparing the lesson. But Josh is a naturally good teacher. He helped me add some thought-provoking questions that really helped the discussion during the lesson. So it wouldn't have gone so well without Josh's help. He's amazing (and he'd be really embarrassed if he read this, but that's okay).
Tate and I were walking and he was asleep and then I looked down and he was peeking out...creepily
So yes, last night we watched a movie and afterwards I totally forgot to blog. We watched the new Star Trek movie, which I really liked. I have decided to not get myself emotionally invested in movies or else it drives me crazy!
Yesterday I had a great experience. I had a random thought that I should ask my friend Heather if she needed me to watch Gwen so she could get ready for their trip to Boston for Thanksgiving. So I texted her and asked, expecting her to say she was okay and didn't need me to watch Gwen. But she actually did and was wondering if she should ask me! I wasn't expecting that because the thought wasn't a really strong prompting, it was just one of those random fleeting thoughts. I was so grateful for that experience, because it taught me that maybe promptings come in more normal ways than I am looking for.
And today I am grateful for life and for Tate and for my new niece Claire Audrey Jackson. Yes, Nathan and Sarah had their baby and she is so beautiful!!! Seriously, she is adorable and so so cute. She is such a sweet baby! We went and visited them (twice) today and I loved holding her. For a newborn she is pretty big (8lbs), but she seemed so small and light and fragile. It was amazing to think that Tate was ever like that. I am so so happy for them. And things are going really well right now for them! Ah, it just makes me want to smile and jump up and down and clap my hands I am so happy for them(that's what Tate and I do when we are happy...or mostly I do it and Tate watches me).
Originally, the ear strip was covering his face. But it had moved by the time I took the picture.
Tate and I were walking and he was asleep and then I looked down and he was peeking out...creepily
So yes, last night we watched a movie and afterwards I totally forgot to blog. We watched the new Star Trek movie, which I really liked. I have decided to not get myself emotionally invested in movies or else it drives me crazy!
Yesterday I had a great experience. I had a random thought that I should ask my friend Heather if she needed me to watch Gwen so she could get ready for their trip to Boston for Thanksgiving. So I texted her and asked, expecting her to say she was okay and didn't need me to watch Gwen. But she actually did and was wondering if she should ask me! I wasn't expecting that because the thought wasn't a really strong prompting, it was just one of those random fleeting thoughts. I was so grateful for that experience, because it taught me that maybe promptings come in more normal ways than I am looking for.
And today I am grateful for life and for Tate and for my new niece Claire Audrey Jackson. Yes, Nathan and Sarah had their baby and she is so beautiful!!! Seriously, she is adorable and so so cute. She is such a sweet baby! We went and visited them (twice) today and I loved holding her. For a newborn she is pretty big (8lbs), but she seemed so small and light and fragile. It was amazing to think that Tate was ever like that. I am so so happy for them. And things are going really well right now for them! Ah, it just makes me want to smile and jump up and down and clap my hands I am so happy for them(that's what Tate and I do when we are happy...or mostly I do it and Tate watches me).
Originally, the ear strip was covering his face. But it had moved by the time I took the picture.
Me as a little girl. I don't see much of Tate, except for that we both wear funny clothes.
I had the thought a few days ago that I should make some bread and take it to a few girls in my ward. Well, today I finally did it. And I am grateful for the AMAZING feeling I felt afterwards. It wasn't a big deal at all. I just made some bread and took it to some people, but the feeling I had afterwards was so good and so happy. Isn't it funny that I think I find the most fulfillment and happiness doing things that I want to do. Like watch movies or just spend my time unproductively so I can have a break. But I felt so happy and so energized after my visits today, it made me want to do it again and again. Of course, I know it's not good to be overzealous, but today I learned that doing something small can bring big results. And I am grateful for that.
Me as a little girl. I don't see much of Tate, except for that we both wear funny clothes.
I had the thought a few days ago that I should make some bread and take it to a few girls in my ward. Well, today I finally did it. And I am grateful for the AMAZING feeling I felt afterwards. It wasn't a big deal at all. I just made some bread and took it to some people, but the feeling I had afterwards was so good and so happy. Isn't it funny that I think I find the most fulfillment and happiness doing things that I want to do. Like watch movies or just spend my time unproductively so I can have a break. But I felt so happy and so energized after my visits today, it made me want to do it again and again. Of course, I know it's not good to be overzealous, but today I learned that doing something small can bring big results. And I am grateful for that.
I am so grateful for friends today. I woke up this morning feeling a little gloomy...not for any particular reason. Just kind of in a funk. But Heather and Gwen came over this afternoon and we had a wonderful time together! So many funny things happened. Gwen is crawling so she and Tate were able to explore the toys together. At one point Heather was taking a picture and Gwen grabbed Tate's face and that got us laughing really hard. Then we were talking a little later and Gwen made this really odd screeching noise and my first reaction/thought was that it was Heather and she had lost her mind and she was not safe. I got an adrenaline rush and I was actually pretty scared. Then when I told her that we laughed so hard! I got to spend more time with my friends, because today some of my friends and I had our first book club meeting! It was so great to get together and talk about books and so many other things. It was perfect that I got to be with so many of my friends today. It was just what I needed and I think Heavenly Father knew that.
I am so grateful for friends today. I woke up this morning feeling a little gloomy...not for any particular reason. Just kind of in a funk. But Heather and Gwen came over this afternoon and we had a wonderful time together! So many funny things happened. Gwen is crawling so she and Tate were able to explore the toys together. At one point Heather was taking a picture and Gwen grabbed Tate's face and that got us laughing really hard. Then we were talking a little later and Gwen made this really odd screeching noise and my first reaction/thought was that it was Heather and she had lost her mind and she was not safe. I got an adrenaline rush and I was actually pretty scared. Then when I told her that we laughed so hard! I got to spend more time with my friends, because today some of my friends and I had our first book club meeting! It was so great to get together and talk about books and so many other things. It was perfect that I got to be with so many of my friends today. It was just what I needed and I think Heavenly Father knew that.
I worked on a lesson I am going to give on Sunday. The lesson is titled "God's Love Manifested through the Organization of Relief Society." Today I am grateful for Relief Society. As I was preparing my lesson, I just felt this greater purpose that Relief Society gives me. I love it! I am so grateful I get to be a part of it. It is God's gift to women. I have learned so much in my short time as a member of Relief Society. I have had so many wonderful women to look up to and I have really changed because I am surrounded by amazing examples in Relief Society.
I worked on a lesson I am going to give on Sunday. The lesson is titled "God's Love Manifested through the Organization of Relief Society." Today I am grateful for Relief Society. As I was preparing my lesson, I just felt this greater purpose that Relief Society gives me. I love it! I am so grateful I get to be a part of it. It is God's gift to women. I have learned so much in my short time as a member of Relief Society. I have had so many wonderful women to look up to and I have really changed because I am surrounded by amazing examples in Relief Society.
Where do I begin! I have so many things to be grateful for, because today was an awesome day! Cheerios. Today Tate ate cheerios! I was eating some cheerios (because I hadn't gone to the store yet and there wasn't much to eat besides cheerios) and then Tate picked one up, put it in his mouth, and ate it! It was amazing! And he kept going. He did kind of gag on one so we started cutting them in half, but still! I was so happy. And I felt a lot of gratitude for that. Sincere gratitude. I have joked to people that we will have to blend Tate's food for his whole life. Of course I was joking, but there is a little part of me that has been worried about his eating. And he did it all on his own! Wonderful! I am so grateful. AND today Tate mastered the light switch. He learned a few days ago to flip the switch off, but he couldn't flip it up. Today he did it...over and over again. I am so grateful for that. To me it is a reminder of how amazing Tate's mind is and how grateful I am he can learn and grow everyday!
And today I am coming off a laughter high. We had some people from our ward over and it was so fun! We were going to cancel it, because Stacy got sick and we were going to do it at their house. But I really felt like we should do it and so we scrambled to get the house ready and prepare and lesson. I am so glad and grateful we did! I had so much fun. So I am grateful for friends and new friends and fun games and laughing together. It makes me feel so happy inside! I need to remember how fun being with people is, because it's so easy to keep to myself, Josh, and Tate (which is fun too). Today was a great day.
I found this picture in Photo Book. We didn't even know Tate then!
I told Josh Tate kind of looks like Jimmy Kimmel in this picture. He didn't see it. I think it's the mouth.
These are from when Josh and I were first married. Hideously funny pictures. Or maybe just hideous.
Where do I begin! I have so many things to be grateful for, because today was an awesome day! Cheerios. Today Tate ate cheerios! I was eating some cheerios (because I hadn't gone to the store yet and there wasn't much to eat besides cheerios) and then Tate picked one up, put it in his mouth, and ate it! It was amazing! And he kept going. He did kind of gag on one so we started cutting them in half, but still! I was so happy. And I felt a lot of gratitude for that. Sincere gratitude. I have joked to people that we will have to blend Tate's food for his whole life. Of course I was joking, but there is a little part of me that has been worried about his eating. And he did it all on his own! Wonderful! I am so grateful. AND today Tate mastered the light switch. He learned a few days ago to flip the switch off, but he couldn't flip it up. Today he did it...over and over again. I am so grateful for that. To me it is a reminder of how amazing Tate's mind is and how grateful I am he can learn and grow everyday!
And today I am coming off a laughter high. We had some people from our ward over and it was so fun! We were going to cancel it, because Stacy got sick and we were going to do it at their house. But I really felt like we should do it and so we scrambled to get the house ready and prepare and lesson. I am so glad and grateful we did! I had so much fun. So I am grateful for friends and new friends and fun games and laughing together. It makes me feel so happy inside! I need to remember how fun being with people is, because it's so easy to keep to myself, Josh, and Tate (which is fun too). Today was a great day.
I found this picture in Photo Book. We didn't even know Tate then!
I told Josh Tate kind of looks like Jimmy Kimmel in this picture. He didn't see it. I think it's the mouth.
These are from when Josh and I were first married. Hideously funny pictures. Or maybe just hideous.
Today I was driving home from Doug and Sharon's house and I was thinking about what I am grateful for today. I decided I am grateful for laughter. We were laughing a lot at Tate and the funny things he did while we were there, and it felt so good! I love love love to laugh. I love it when I laugh so much that everything becomes funny and I can't stop laughing. I love to laugh so hard it hurts and I wonder when I will be able to breath. When I laugh my hardest I don't make a sound, I love the silent laugh. I remember one time my mom and I were making a gift for my sister for her birthday. She was at BYU and I was still in high school. We made a photo book for her, but we cut out her face in every picture and replaced it with someone else. The last page had a really small picture of her face on it. It isn't really that funny, but when we were doing it we were dying of laughter. We could not stop and both of us were doing the silent laugh. Laughing just gets me in such a happy and good mood. Life is good when I am laughing. Today I laughed and I am grateful for it.
Today I was driving home from Doug and Sharon's house and I was thinking about what I am grateful for today. I decided I am grateful for laughter. We were laughing a lot at Tate and the funny things he did while we were there, and it felt so good! I love love love to laugh. I love it when I laugh so much that everything becomes funny and I can't stop laughing. I love to laugh so hard it hurts and I wonder when I will be able to breath. When I laugh my hardest I don't make a sound, I love the silent laugh. I remember one time my mom and I were making a gift for my sister for her birthday. She was at BYU and I was still in high school. We made a photo book for her, but we cut out her face in every picture and replaced it with someone else. The last page had a really small picture of her face on it. It isn't really that funny, but when we were doing it we were dying of laughter. We could not stop and both of us were doing the silent laugh. Laughing just gets me in such a happy and good mood. Life is good when I am laughing. Today I laughed and I am grateful for it.
In the parking lot at City Creek. Tate didn't move from that position for 15 minutes.
Today I am grateful for Saturdays! Because today has been a great one! Well, I am grateful for Saturdays, but mostly I am grateful for Josh...again. But I am grateful he is so thoughtful. Last week he met some people at the library in Salt Lake and while he was there he thought I would love to see it. So he kept telling me we were going to Salt Lake but he wouldn't tell me why. But a few days ago he was talking about going to SLC and he said "When we go to the li-" and then I figured out he was taking me to the library. So we went to SLC and we stopped by City Creek and then he took me to the library. IT IS AMAZING! If you haven't been you should go. It's huge and the architecture is awesome and it is full of books. And there are separate study areas and fireplaces stacked on top of each other and the children's section has a little "attic" area. I was so blown away. Just thinking about it makes me happy and amazed. And I was so grateful Josh knew I would love it! Give me an amazing building and fill it with books and I will love it.
In the parking lot at City Creek. Tate didn't move from that position for 15 minutes.
Today I am grateful for Saturdays! Because today has been a great one! Well, I am grateful for Saturdays, but mostly I am grateful for Josh...again. But I am grateful he is so thoughtful. Last week he met some people at the library in Salt Lake and while he was there he thought I would love to see it. So he kept telling me we were going to Salt Lake but he wouldn't tell me why. But a few days ago he was talking about going to SLC and he said "When we go to the li-" and then I figured out he was taking me to the library. So we went to SLC and we stopped by City Creek and then he took me to the library. IT IS AMAZING! If you haven't been you should go. It's huge and the architecture is awesome and it is full of books. And there are separate study areas and fireplaces stacked on top of each other and the children's section has a little "attic" area. I was so blown away. Just thinking about it makes me happy and amazed. And I was so grateful Josh knew I would love it! Give me an amazing building and fill it with books and I will love it.
Today I am grateful I can do the simple things. I am grateful I can see, hear, smell, taste, touch, think, read, sweat. I'm serious about sweating. We knew a woman who couldn't really sweat and her body would get overheated, so I am grateful my body can stay cool by sweating, even if I sweat more than the average man. But really, I was walking through our apartment today and I realized how grateful I am that I can easily maneuver around and make Tate's bottle and get dressed and do all the simple things I think everyone can do. I remember when I tore my ACL I couldn't get out of bed for a week. My mom had to help me get up and go to the bathroom. And I remember once I was able to move around with crutches, I was at my friend's house going up their stairs and I needed someone to hold onto my shirt so I wouldn't fall because I was so weak. I got into the car with my mom and started crying because I couldn't even go up stairs or lift my foot off the ground. That was a temporary thing, so I can't imagine having those challenges every day. I saw a woman at the dollar store a few days ago in a wheel chair. Her right leg and right arm were small, so she couldn't walk and she could only use her left hand. It was hard for her to move around and grab things off the shelves, and I was moving around no problem. I am so blessed. It's great to be alive. And it's great to have a body. And I'm grateful that at this point in my life, my body can do the little things, which are actually BIG things.
Today I am grateful I can do the simple things. I am grateful I can see, hear, smell, taste, touch, think, read, sweat. I'm serious about sweating. We knew a woman who couldn't really sweat and her body would get overheated, so I am grateful my body can stay cool by sweating, even if I sweat more than the average man. But really, I was walking through our apartment today and I realized how grateful I am that I can easily maneuver around and make Tate's bottle and get dressed and do all the simple things I think everyone can do. I remember when I tore my ACL I couldn't get out of bed for a week. My mom had to help me get up and go to the bathroom. And I remember once I was able to move around with crutches, I was at my friend's house going up their stairs and I needed someone to hold onto my shirt so I wouldn't fall because I was so weak. I got into the car with my mom and started crying because I couldn't even go up stairs or lift my foot off the ground. That was a temporary thing, so I can't imagine having those challenges every day. I saw a woman at the dollar store a few days ago in a wheel chair. Her right leg and right arm were small, so she couldn't walk and she could only use her left hand. It was hard for her to move around and grab things off the shelves, and I was moving around no problem. I am so blessed. It's great to be alive. And it's great to have a body. And I'm grateful that at this point in my life, my body can do the little things, which are actually BIG things.
This was a few months ago. But really, he is so cute. I just want to squeeze him.
The weather the past few days has been amazing! Tate and I have been able to go outside and play and run. It is so nice being able to have a break from the apartment. We also bought a rec center pass and so Tate and I have been going to the playground and the pool. They have a shallow area for kids to play in. Tate is so funny. He crawls in the water and then will just put his face in it. I have to be ready to pull his face out of the water. And he wants to crawl into the deeper part and so I have to turn him in the opposite direction.
Josh and I watched Monster's University last night. It has been so long since we watched a movie. I thought it was so funny! Usually during funny movies I don't really laugh all that much, I just smile. But I was laughing almost the whole movie. And Josh and I had to re-watch some parts after it was over.
I decided last week I need to be more grateful. I think it's easy to just take blessings for granted and view them as just normal things. And it's can be really easy to see the things that aren't very good about life. So I am going to write something I am grateful for everyday. And today I am grateful that Josh helps me fulfill my goals and he knows me well enough to help me in ways that work for me. And I am grateful that we have the green tercel so I can have a car while Josh is at work.
Josh and I were trying to decide if we should find a different apartment to live in for the rest of the time we are in Provo. We were just thinking it would be easier for Tate to have his own space to sleep in and keep his stuff in. The idea of Tate having his own room is so nice. Right now we just put Tate to sleep in our bedroom and then when we go to sleep we move him into a little hallway we have. It works great, but in the morning it is kind of tricky. We want to get out of our room, so we have to move Tate back into our room. But sometimes Tate is kind of awake and when he sees us he starts crying and we feel bad having him in our room crying because our neighbors can hear him. Today it worked wonderfully. Tate was still sleeping and we moved him and he stayed asleep. So that was awesome! If it was that smooth everyday I would be totally happy with that. It's the days where he's awake and we can't leave our bedroom that I want to move. But I love this apartment. And it makes me sad thinking we will eventually have to move. And I love that we are right below our good friends and above Nathan and Sarah. And we are right next to Smiths. And we have so many happy memories in this apartment. And the ward is so awesome. And the rent is so so so good. So, we are staying! And that makes me happy. And maybe we will make our front room a room for Tate, but I really don't want to do that.
I am reading a book called "The Goose Girl." I was trying to tell Josh the title and I almost called it "The Google Girl." I really like it. I have this comfort zone that I like to stay in with books. I get nervous branching out and trying new books because I'm afraid I won't like them and so I just reread the books I know and love. I didn't like "The Goose Girl" at the beginning because it is different than other books I've read, but now I really like it. And I just finished a book that I've read before and I love it. But it has a really sad ending and while Tate was taking a nap I finished it and I was bawling. Not just crying. Bawling. It was a little embarrassing.
Tate is growing up so much. He actually has a personality! haha. He is so funny. He will do things on purpose to make me laugh. He can stand for a long time and he loves walking around the house-holding on to our fingers of course. I just can't get over how great he is!
We are going to Georgia for my sister's wedding in December. And I am so excited! The countdown to our trip has begun. 34 days. I think it's going to be a good trip. We Facetime with my parents and I really think Tate recognizes them. So I'm excited to see them interact in person. It's going to be crazy with the wedding and everything, but luckily we will be there a day and a half afterwards so we can spend some quality time together. Ah I'm so excited! Thank you to Whitney for getting married!!
This was a few months ago. But really, he is so cute. I just want to squeeze him.
The weather the past few days has been amazing! Tate and I have been able to go outside and play and run. It is so nice being able to have a break from the apartment. We also bought a rec center pass and so Tate and I have been going to the playground and the pool. They have a shallow area for kids to play in. Tate is so funny. He crawls in the water and then will just put his face in it. I have to be ready to pull his face out of the water. And he wants to crawl into the deeper part and so I have to turn him in the opposite direction.
Josh and I watched Monster's University last night. It has been so long since we watched a movie. I thought it was so funny! Usually during funny movies I don't really laugh all that much, I just smile. But I was laughing almost the whole movie. And Josh and I had to re-watch some parts after it was over.
I decided last week I need to be more grateful. I think it's easy to just take blessings for granted and view them as just normal things. And it's can be really easy to see the things that aren't very good about life. So I am going to write something I am grateful for everyday. And today I am grateful that Josh helps me fulfill my goals and he knows me well enough to help me in ways that work for me. And I am grateful that we have the green tercel so I can have a car while Josh is at work.
Josh and I were trying to decide if we should find a different apartment to live in for the rest of the time we are in Provo. We were just thinking it would be easier for Tate to have his own space to sleep in and keep his stuff in. The idea of Tate having his own room is so nice. Right now we just put Tate to sleep in our bedroom and then when we go to sleep we move him into a little hallway we have. It works great, but in the morning it is kind of tricky. We want to get out of our room, so we have to move Tate back into our room. But sometimes Tate is kind of awake and when he sees us he starts crying and we feel bad having him in our room crying because our neighbors can hear him. Today it worked wonderfully. Tate was still sleeping and we moved him and he stayed asleep. So that was awesome! If it was that smooth everyday I would be totally happy with that. It's the days where he's awake and we can't leave our bedroom that I want to move. But I love this apartment. And it makes me sad thinking we will eventually have to move. And I love that we are right below our good friends and above Nathan and Sarah. And we are right next to Smiths. And we have so many happy memories in this apartment. And the ward is so awesome. And the rent is so so so good. So, we are staying! And that makes me happy. And maybe we will make our front room a room for Tate, but I really don't want to do that.
I am reading a book called "The Goose Girl." I was trying to tell Josh the title and I almost called it "The Google Girl." I really like it. I have this comfort zone that I like to stay in with books. I get nervous branching out and trying new books because I'm afraid I won't like them and so I just reread the books I know and love. I didn't like "The Goose Girl" at the beginning because it is different than other books I've read, but now I really like it. And I just finished a book that I've read before and I love it. But it has a really sad ending and while Tate was taking a nap I finished it and I was bawling. Not just crying. Bawling. It was a little embarrassing.
Tate is growing up so much. He actually has a personality! haha. He is so funny. He will do things on purpose to make me laugh. He can stand for a long time and he loves walking around the house-holding on to our fingers of course. I just can't get over how great he is!
We are going to Georgia for my sister's wedding in December. And I am so excited! The countdown to our trip has begun. 34 days. I think it's going to be a good trip. We Facetime with my parents and I really think Tate recognizes them. So I'm excited to see them interact in person. It's going to be crazy with the wedding and everything, but luckily we will be there a day and a half afterwards so we can spend some quality time together. Ah I'm so excited! Thank you to Whitney for getting married!!
Josh and me when we were dating. I had dyed my hair brown and Josh had long hair. Good times.
I did it! I have been telling myself for a long, long time that I would organize this storage room we have and today I finally did it. I think it looks better, and at least now I can walk in it without being in danger of a box falling on me. Whenever I would go in there (when it was really messy) I would just get so annoyed and so mad that I had let it get so bad. So now I can go in it without being upset.
This morning Tate was standing like a champ. He would push himself up from something and stand for a long time and clap for himself. He forgot how to clap for a week or two, but then Josh reminded him how to do it and now he does it all the time. Whenever I say "yay" he starts clapping, because that's usually what I say when I clap.
Josh and I, well it was really only Josh, made the best fish tacos ever. They were so good I recorded Josh explaining how he made them, so we could make them again.
On Saturday, Josh and I went on a little date and played soccer at the RB. There are usually people playing there almost all day on Saturdays. It was so fun! The only hard part was we were some of the only people who spoke english and we were trying to split up the teams because at one point we had 24 (12v12) people on a field meant for 14 (7v7). It never worked out and sometimes someone would start talking to Josh in spanish and he just kind of nodded and said something vague, like "ya he should've shot it."
Here are videos of Tate from yesterday. I was laughing so hard, so that's why the camera is shaking.
Josh and me when we were dating. I had dyed my hair brown and Josh had long hair. Good times.
I did it! I have been telling myself for a long, long time that I would organize this storage room we have and today I finally did it. I think it looks better, and at least now I can walk in it without being in danger of a box falling on me. Whenever I would go in there (when it was really messy) I would just get so annoyed and so mad that I had let it get so bad. So now I can go in it without being upset.
This morning Tate was standing like a champ. He would push himself up from something and stand for a long time and clap for himself. He forgot how to clap for a week or two, but then Josh reminded him how to do it and now he does it all the time. Whenever I say "yay" he starts clapping, because that's usually what I say when I clap.
Josh and I, well it was really only Josh, made the best fish tacos ever. They were so good I recorded Josh explaining how he made them, so we could make them again.
On Saturday, Josh and I went on a little date and played soccer at the RB. There are usually people playing there almost all day on Saturdays. It was so fun! The only hard part was we were some of the only people who spoke english and we were trying to split up the teams because at one point we had 24 (12v12) people on a field meant for 14 (7v7). It never worked out and sometimes someone would start talking to Josh in spanish and he just kind of nodded and said something vague, like "ya he should've shot it."
Here are videos of Tate from yesterday. I was laughing so hard, so that's why the camera is shaking.
First, Happy Halloween (yesterday)! It was a great first Halloween for Tate. We were able to do some fun things, which were mostly fun for me. Stacy and I went and ran some sprints in the IPF and while we were there the women's team was practicing on the practice field. So we stopped by and said hi to everyone. Everyone loved seeing Tate and it was totally what I needed. I needed to see all my friends and laugh and talk! I felt so full afterward! When we got home I put Tate down for a nap - he didn't go to sleep. And then I looked for his Halloween costume. It is a Finding Nemo costume I bought and wore when I was a sophomore at BYU. It is supposed to be for a 2-year-old. But it works. I looked and looked and couldn't find it. Stacy, Tate, and I went to Rocco's Tacos to get a free taco, but when we got there I didn't have my phone to show them the coupon app that would allow me to get a free taco. And I didn't have my keys, so I went back to the car to get my keys (luckily a door was unlocked) and couldn't find my phone there. So we went home, but we were so close to getting a taco. Then I decided to look for the costume one more time and I found it! So Tate and I went to the BYU football stadium to meet Josh and go the farmer's market they have in the parking lot. I put Tate in his costume and we were off. It was a fun farmer's market. It's pretty small, but we got free samples, and that's all it takes to make us happy. Then we went to the Jackson's house and saw Rachel and Kenzie's costumes. And I got this picture I've been wanting to get. One of their neighbors has some ghosts on their front lawn, and I've wanted to get a picture of Tate with the ghosts. Here are some pics.
I had a few great experiences this week. So during Stake Conference, the Stake Presidency talked a lot about the "Hastening the Work of Salvation" broadcast and how we can be better missionaries. Well, I feel like the General Authorities have really been emphasizing sharing the gospel and how missionary work is a group effort. So I decided I would be a part of this and not be idle in regards to missionary work. I felt like I should facebook message one of my old friends from high school and see how she is doing and if she is going to Church. So I did. And she messaged me back and told me she was just thinking she should start going back. Then I told her it was meant to be that I messaged her during the time she was feeling prompted to go back to Church. It is such a small thing, but for me it was a way to show Heavenly Father that if He will give me the prompting I will do my best to follow through. And I think He was telling my friend that He loves her and wants her to come back.
As part of this missionary effort I am also trying to serve more and really follow Elder Ballard's counsel to pray every day for a chance to help someone (that was from a few conferences ago). One day I felt like I should go visit my friend and I did and we ended up talking for a long time and she's been sick and has had so many big events happen and at the end she said she had needed to just talk to a friend...and I needed that too! And Wednesday Josh ran into a friend on campus. This friend got in an accident a few years ago and suffered a traumatic brain injury and so he has some challenges. Well, when Josh saw him he told Josh it was his birthday and no one had done anything for him yet. So he gave Josh his number and later that day Josh told him I had an intramural game he could come to and we could celebrate. Then he wanted to take us out to dinner, and we had this moment where I looked at Josh and I wanted him to text him back and explain how we couldn't, but I really felt like we should make an effort to go. So we did, we asked our neighbors to watch Tate and we had Stacy bring some cookies and I made a card and we went to dinner with him and then he came to my game. Then afterwards we all sang happy birthday. It wasn't a very big deal at all, but the next day he texted Josh and said he hasn't had anyone sing happy birthday to him for 3 years and no one else day anything for his birthday. So I was grateful Josh ran into him and we were able to do something really small for him.
I wanted to make sure I documented these experiences. I think writing down our experiences reminds us Heavenly Father answers prayers. If we really want experiences, he'll give them to us. I think I've missed probably hundreds of chances to serve or share the gospel because I didn't follow an idea or thought. So I'm trying to just do what I feel I should. These have been really, really small things, but they've been big to me. I really want to be a part of the missionary wave.
First, Happy Halloween (yesterday)! It was a great first Halloween for Tate. We were able to do some fun things, which were mostly fun for me. Stacy and I went and ran some sprints in the IPF and while we were there the women's team was practicing on the practice field. So we stopped by and said hi to everyone. Everyone loved seeing Tate and it was totally what I needed. I needed to see all my friends and laugh and talk! I felt so full afterward! When we got home I put Tate down for a nap - he didn't go to sleep. And then I looked for his Halloween costume. It is a Finding Nemo costume I bought and wore when I was a sophomore at BYU. It is supposed to be for a 2-year-old. But it works. I looked and looked and couldn't find it. Stacy, Tate, and I went to Rocco's Tacos to get a free taco, but when we got there I didn't have my phone to show them the coupon app that would allow me to get a free taco. And I didn't have my keys, so I went back to the car to get my keys (luckily a door was unlocked) and couldn't find my phone there. So we went home, but we were so close to getting a taco. Then I decided to look for the costume one more time and I found it! So Tate and I went to the BYU football stadium to meet Josh and go the farmer's market they have in the parking lot. I put Tate in his costume and we were off. It was a fun farmer's market. It's pretty small, but we got free samples, and that's all it takes to make us happy. Then we went to the Jackson's house and saw Rachel and Kenzie's costumes. And I got this picture I've been wanting to get. One of their neighbors has some ghosts on their front lawn, and I've wanted to get a picture of Tate with the ghosts. Here are some pics.
I had a few great experiences this week. So during Stake Conference, the Stake Presidency talked a lot about the "Hastening the Work of Salvation" broadcast and how we can be better missionaries. Well, I feel like the General Authorities have really been emphasizing sharing the gospel and how missionary work is a group effort. So I decided I would be a part of this and not be idle in regards to missionary work. I felt like I should facebook message one of my old friends from high school and see how she is doing and if she is going to Church. So I did. And she messaged me back and told me she was just thinking she should start going back. Then I told her it was meant to be that I messaged her during the time she was feeling prompted to go back to Church. It is such a small thing, but for me it was a way to show Heavenly Father that if He will give me the prompting I will do my best to follow through. And I think He was telling my friend that He loves her and wants her to come back.
As part of this missionary effort I am also trying to serve more and really follow Elder Ballard's counsel to pray every day for a chance to help someone (that was from a few conferences ago). One day I felt like I should go visit my friend and I did and we ended up talking for a long time and she's been sick and has had so many big events happen and at the end she said she had needed to just talk to a friend...and I needed that too! And Wednesday Josh ran into a friend on campus. This friend got in an accident a few years ago and suffered a traumatic brain injury and so he has some challenges. Well, when Josh saw him he told Josh it was his birthday and no one had done anything for him yet. So he gave Josh his number and later that day Josh told him I had an intramural game he could come to and we could celebrate. Then he wanted to take us out to dinner, and we had this moment where I looked at Josh and I wanted him to text him back and explain how we couldn't, but I really felt like we should make an effort to go. So we did, we asked our neighbors to watch Tate and we had Stacy bring some cookies and I made a card and we went to dinner with him and then he came to my game. Then afterwards we all sang happy birthday. It wasn't a very big deal at all, but the next day he texted Josh and said he hasn't had anyone sing happy birthday to him for 3 years and no one else day anything for his birthday. So I was grateful Josh ran into him and we were able to do something really small for him.
I wanted to make sure I documented these experiences. I think writing down our experiences reminds us Heavenly Father answers prayers. If we really want experiences, he'll give them to us. I think I've missed probably hundreds of chances to serve or share the gospel because I didn't follow an idea or thought. So I'm trying to just do what I feel I should. These have been really, really small things, but they've been big to me. I really want to be a part of the missionary wave.
