Jackson and his momma

 

I think this is the second photo of me with Jackson since he was born. Sad. 

I'm back...

My hard drive crashed last week and so I spent the week fixing that. Now I need to know what all of your blog addresses are. So, send them to me, please!!

Jackson and the big red chair

 


This is part of mother's day gifts. 

comic relief

oh, and just for some comic relief, I also sanded over the cord of the belt sander douglas borrowed from a work buddy.

Good or Bad News?

So...is it good or bad news when you start the computer (newly constructed computer, I might add) and a black screen comes up blinking WARNING: Backup all files. Hard disk failure is imminent. ??

Immenent, of all the words the computer can choose.

oh, and getting non paintable silicone off the wall is realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly hard, or dare say a b****. Only way to say it. I rarely swear, but this singular event has brought me that low. Even my "imminent" hard disk failure seems like notin.

Once I finally get the wall presentable (if at all possible ever) I am going right out to Potterybarn kids and buying all the bedding for that room that I want.


There you have it. Don't try and stop me.

Park City

Well, our get away weekend is over. It is always nice to get home and back to your things. Jackson did awesome staying with his Grandma Dee and Grandpa George. He ate his first happy meal and polished off the whole hamburger, half of the fries and half of his milk. He doesn't eat like that for me!! He is such a squirrel when I feed him. He slept well, stayed happy and I am sure LOVED the attention he got.

We got up to PC on Friday night, checked into our room and ate dinner at the restaurant in the resort. This is one of those time share deals where you get the room free if you listen to their speel. Which, side note, we actually considered purchasing until we realized that we are really too poor for it. That is good selling. They make you feel like you are this great vacationer and then want you to make a decision right then and there. Luckily I had the wits about me to say, no way am I making this decision right now while I sit here. They didn't want to let us go think about it, but reluctantly we did which is when reality set it and we were like, "what the heck are we thinking." Anyway, we got the free stay and $75. Not bad for a 90 minute presentation.

So is it sad that when you are on vacation all you want to do is sleep in, lay around all day watching TV and movies and eat? We went to main street in PC and wandered a little and had fun in the heated pool mmmmm, but besides for this, I was a total lazy sack. I didn't even take my camera out which is unheard of. It was a really relaxing vacation for us and so nice to be able to leave Jackson with someone we really trusted.

So we watched the movie Tristan and Isolde. Anyone seen it? I liked it and yet was disturbed by it. Let me know what you thought of it. We wanted to go to the theatres and see something, but there is really nothing playing, although Stick It was in the top of our list too, or should I say my list?? Douglas hadn't even heard of it. I think we will go see MI III this Friday. It will probobly be totally stupid, but looks exciting anyway. Dang, I'm an easy sell. Oh by the way that is Mission Impossible III.

I don't want to even think about all I have to do this week. Our yard is dying, my house is nasty, I HAVE to finish painting Jackson's room, I am working, going to a scrapbook all nighter. Ahhhh, just the thought makes me feel major anxiety. I am starting over with Fly Lady. I am even a failure at that. I do really well for a while and then get lazy and forget and it is a slippery slope downhill.

I am photographing a wedding in two weeks. I am really nervous and I have a new lens I need to figure out--also adding to my anxiety.

Christian and Holly

Just some pictures I took of Christian and Holly for those of you who have never seen her. She is really great--definitely a good match for Christian.


 
 
  

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(notice my new counter top)

Some cute pictures

 
 
 
 


I am having Jackson picture withdrawls so I thought I would post these cute ones from Easter weekend. 

Grace's new big girl bed.

 

Buddy found this one night when he went to check on Grace in her big girl bed. Who knows how she got there. Funny girl. 

Cute little Grace

 
Made this the other day for buddy and sally. Grace was a little stinker (aka two year old) when we went out to take these pictures. She didn't want to look at me at all because she was searching for "Nino" (Nemo) in the water. Cute. 

long night...

Wow, I feel like I was run over by a tanker right now. Between Douglas getting in and out of bed last night and Jackson waking up screaming I am beat. Every so often Jackson will wake up in the night screaming and after 10 minutes of not going back to sleep I will go in to Bink him. The problem is that he doesn't want me to leave. Usually I am kind hearted enough to sit in the rocker for a while until he is out of it enough that I can get on the floor and crawl out, but last night I just didn't have the patience for it so I Binked him, read him a book and kissed him good night and walked out as he screamed on the top of his lungs. I shut his door and mine, put my hand over my ear and eventually fell back to sleep. I don't know that he ever did, but I couldn't deal with being up again. Am I a horrible mom or what.

And now, I am watching my friends kids all day. I so wanted a good night sleep for this event (two year old twins).

Jackson has started doing the cutest thing. There is this part on Baby Mozart where a dinosaur puppet comes out and moves its head back and forth and finally says "blah". When J hears this part in BE he hurries to the family room shaking his head back and forth like the dino and then says "Baaa" when the dino sticks out his tongue. It is really cute if I do say so myself.

So is it normal for kids to be able to stay focused on a movie at two years old? Just wondering.

Well, I guess I will go and eat something healthy for breakfast. I ate three desserts yesterday and I am still feeling a little guilty about it. I guess I just felt bad for myself since it was my anniversary and I had a sick hubby. Very uneventful. At least we are headed to park city this weekend sin baby for a little getaway. That will be nice.

I now have two two year olds hanging out by me so I will sign off. Hasta pronto.

I splurged....

It has been my quest for some time to find cute long shirts that aren't too tight or rub my armpits wrong. Well, I did and I am happy to announce that I invested in four new, really cute shirts. Click HERE to go to the website. These are the shirts I bought. There are many more I want, but I used a little discretion.

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Just ordered a new camera lens and I am soooo excited Tamron 24-75mm f2.8 It will be SWEET!

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Since Sarah just posted a list of ephiphanies I thought I would add some of myself.

1. I can never take anyone's word for it. I always think I can come up with a better way.

Case in point: Painting Jackson's wall. I have a friend who just recently did it and told me exactly what to do. Easy huh?? Well, I thought there must be an easier way.

2. There isn't an easier way.
Case in point: Paint that bled under the tape.

3. There are both paintable and non paintable caulk.

4. Non paintable is dang hard or dare say IMPOSSIBLE to get off the tape after you put it all on and THEN realize the paint won't adhere to it.

5. Why try?
I ask myself this often as a "easy" project turns out to be my worst nightmare and I lose all desire to finish.

You Belong in Paris

You enjoy all that life has to offer, and you can appreciate the fine tastes and sites of Paris. You're the perfect person to wander the streets of Paris aimlessly, enjoying architecture and a crepe.

What European City Do You Belong In?

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Still Painting...

but hopefully I will be done today.

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Do you have a hard time keeping up on your house? Sometimes I feel like mine is going to eat me. I am doing this fly lady thing that I tried about a year ago, but didn't committ fully to it. Now I am trying again, So far at least my kitchen is clean at night, but I want to get rid of the junk and get it organized. The one allowance I give myself is that I still have A LOT of my parent's stuff in the closets. It makes it hard to have anywhere to tuck things away. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with it all.

On another happy note...I think I got Jackson's throat thing. So not cool with family coming to town and a messy house I am supposed to be motivated to clean up. Aaahhhh.

Went to Cafe Rio for dinner last night. I love that place. Seriously, I think I could eat there every day it is so good. And we rented Memoirs of a Geisha. Very enjoyable. I have been making bracelets and bows like crazy. Let me know if you would like some for your daughter to model and advertise for us and I will send some.

I have been thinking about joining Weight Watcher lately. I still want to lose 9 pounds to be back to where I like to be. It is really discouraging because I go to the gym every day and try to watch what I eat. I am getting desperate. It is just such a financial committment that I drag my feet to get started. Oh yeah, I also like to eat what I want and not feel guilty. Sometimes I feel like life is so laden with guilt. If it isn't one thing, it's another.

The clue wall is painted in Jackson's room. Now on to the stripes and 3 days to do it. Wish me luck.

Looks like a little boy, not a baby anymore :(. 

Isn't he the cutest. 

Some pictures a family friend took. 

back to normal...hooray!

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Well, I am happy to say that my little sweet pea is back to normal. He woke up at 9am today happy and playing unlike the screaming of past days (at 5am no less). He wanted to hang out with me all day, but was content running errands, visiting his Grams, and playing with Strider. What a tough life. And, he went right to bed tonight. Love it. Days like this remind me why I love being a mom. The best is when he comes to me and squeezes my legs as if giving me a hug. Love that too. Anyways, just loving my baby today and thought I would share.

 

 

the worst thing in the world is...

A SICK BABY. Although it is great birth control b/c I realize my limited ability to deal with a needy baby. And yet, I feel so sad for him that I just want to love him.

Even worse than that...the time change and a baby that thinks he goes to bed at 8pm now. His early bedtime is my sanity and so that is not going to fly.

But the BEST thing...is a baby that loves the new, huge, oversized (did you get the big part) plush duck that his grams bought him at Kmart. I mean he LOVES this thing. I have never seen him like this with anything besides his hair. He likes to go over and lay his head on the duck and snuggle with it. The cutest thing ever, let me tell you.

Jicama

Does jicama really have purpose? I bought some to try it out and yes, it has an interesting texture and crunch, but absolutley no flavor. What do you think?

father and son. so great. 

a quick reason why i don't empty or load when he is awake. 

my weird child loves to chew on the bottom of rugs.... 

why we no longer have a drawer in the entertainment center. 

Little man

Just came across these pictures again. Oh, so cute. 

Is it only noon??

Wow, what a day. Jackson is getting one of his teeth (at least I think it is only one) and he is mr. crabby!!! He wants me to sit and entertain him all day long. Wow. I know 20 years from now I will think back and wonder why I didn't, but right now I need to do laundry and clean and maybe pay a bill or two. If I make it through this week I should at least be made R.S. president or something.

So I painted the ceiling in Jackson's room. Not as hard as I thought it would be. It took me about an hour this morning. I know I will have to touch up a little, but it is progress.

I went to a stake YW meeting last night. It was really long and they talked a lot about camp. I am jealous of all the women that get so excited, but truth be told, I don't have any fond memories of girls camp. They are doing a mission theme which will be interesting. My suggestion was that they have to wear skirts the whole time, but everyone thought I was kidding. What better taste of mission life??

I have tons of laundry stacked on Jackson's new cardboard fort. I try to fold it while he plays, but inevitably it gets unfolded be my dear sweet son before I get a chance to finish. Why do I even try??

My friend Anne and I are starting a little business selling braclets and hairbows. I am telling you, I should be Jewish because I want to make money with everything I do. Plus it helps to pay for little hobbies. Poor Jackson has to be my hairbow model. I figure if it fits on his head, it will fit on any baby head because he is, as the pediatrician put it, "top of the charts" for head size. My little overachiever. Love it. If he wasn't so dang cute I might be concerned about it, but he is, so no worries.

I finally got my desk stuff cleaned off the kitchen table. They came and replaced the last counter (looks awesome and I will post a picture soon). I had just shoved everything into a laundry basket and finally yesterday I tried to clean my "hot spot" or one ofthe many. I feel a great sense of accomplishment about this. Now if I could just get to the counter top. Awe well, I can't see it while I sit here anyway.

I better go shower. Jackson had the hardest time falling asleep this morning and I don't know how long it will last. Hopefully I can write again. I am taking Douglas to this new fondue restaurant tonight and I am pretty excited to eat.

another page. was he really this little once? 

One of my first digital scrapbook pages. I still have a lot to learn. 

Just another cute one of Jackson

Yes, he is eating a rock because, "why not?" 

Jackson at the beach

 

So I really enjoy reading people's blogs. I don't know why, but maybe it just makes me feel more human to hear what others have going on. And, let's be honest, I get bored. Lately especially. I have so much to do, yet my mind is just bored. Has anyone ever experienced this??

Anyway, I came across this blog the other day from a girl who had left the LDS church and now is very bitter (obvious in her blog). She was writing about the new series "BIG LOVE" on HBO that is about the polygamist family in SLC, Utah. They claim that it makes it clear that they are not affliliated with the LDS church but yeah right, anyone who knows anything about the church can see that they are trying to draw parallels. I am repulsed by this show, but I know there are many, like this girl, who find it to be validation for their poor choices. She went on in her email about subservient women in the church and polygamy coming back and all of these other issues. I really wanted to write a reply basically telling this chick in a nice way that she was wrong. It is amazing how bitter people become when they decide to leave the church. I went to reply and noticed she had like 250 replies. I clicked in and let me tell you, I have never seen so many bitter ex-Mormons in my life. I finally figured, what's the use. I think satan poisons people so well that they couldn't feel the Spirit even if they wanted to. Plus the fact that I am really not that articulate and would probobly not be able to express what I feel anyway. It is just funny to me how people can get so angry at the church. Even if you aren't LDS I would think you could see how the church blesses people's lives. I know there are the hypocrites, but they are definitely not the majority. Anyway. I have let it bother me enough which is probobly exactly what she wanted to do.

I am taking a break from Jackson. He is sleeping, but lucky to be. He whined and cried the whole time we were out in town, at home depot and on the way home. Rrrrrr. I tried to turn my music up so I couldn't hear him, but he just got louder. Stinker. He has hated being in the car lately. I don't know what the deal is, but I cannot be shutup at home all the time and he will just have to deal with going out a little. He is his dad's son when it comes to running errands.

So we got our other counter top in yesterday. They look so nice. Now if I could just motivate myself to clean them off!! Or fold the laundry. Or anything else productive. I blame it on the rain. Who wants to do anything when it rains?

I am finally starting to paint Jackson's room. It will be a lot of work let me tell you!! I noticed after I taped the ceiling off that the ceiling is a different color than the trim. I could probobly could just let it go--who am I kidding, it would bug me forever. I am going to paint some stripes in his room too. I can't claim the idea as my own. My friend Brittany had done it to her little boy Ryder's room and it was so cute. She copied it from Potterybarn.

Well, I am off to visit teach. Fun times.

Santa Barbara Zoo

This is a great picture from when my mom and I took Jackson to the zoo. There were all these exotic animals and what did he like the best??? The sheep in the petting zoo. My mom bought a little cup of pellets and Jackson LOVED feeding them to the sheep. After they were all gone he found more on the ground to feed to them. It was really cute. His other favorite attraction were the birds, in the zoo or wild--he loved them. Funny kid.

Californ-I-A

I have been in California for almost a week now. It has been relaxing and fun in almost everyway except a) /Jackson is yet to sleep through the night here and b) Jackson is yet to sleep past 6:30 am (today was the first day he slept that late). So, needless to say I have been somewhat tired and grumpy. But, besides for that we have had a good time. I took J to the beach this morning to take some pictures. They turned out semi cute although the sun was casting a shadow which really annoyed me. Sometimes I get lazy about getting my camera out and then once I do I remember how much I love to take pictures. It is this totally theraputic hobby of mine.

I really wanted to find a cute pageboy hat for Jackson to wear. Okay, in reality he probobly wouldn't even keep it on, but I always have a vision in my mind of these amazing pictures I want to take. Let's be truthful though, they usually don't really turn out like I envision. I don't know if that is do to lack of experience or unrealistic expectations. Anyway, found a hat at Gap. Really cute except the pattern so I didn't get it. Reality is that he wouldn't keep it on anyways. Back to my unrealistic picture expectaions.

So, I got some cute new church clothes at Anne Taylor while I was here. One skirt is for Christians wedding in June. Check it out, very cute http://www.anntaylor.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&RestartFlow=t&Section_Id=304&Product_Id=813182

Jackson is starting to sign so much. It is really cute. He just started saying please. Whenever my dad says, "say please" and shows him the sign, he will make the sign on my dad's chest. It is really funny. He also says, nite nite, baby, food, water, more, and dog. It is so dang cute.

Well, my stomach is growling so I am going to go eat something.

Chitter Chatter

Okay, so I am not quite sure why some of my links are different colors. I don't want anyone feeling bad if they are not the color they want-it isn't personal I promise.

And, my feet are really cold right now. I hate that.

Chitter Chatter

p.s. to all of the millions who frequent my blog, these entries are a little dated. I transferred them from my other blog so that there would be something worthwhile to read. For instance-Jackson turned one February 18th. Sorry to mislead you all. Please forgive.

Jackson's Birthday

I can’t believe that t has been a year since that little guy entered our lives. I can’t imagine life without him. Today is his #1 and we are celebrating. We made pancakes for breakfast which he loves, had mac and cheese for lunch before eating his veges and tonight we will have burgers and LOTS of cake. I love to celebrate. Jackson is such a sweet and happy baby and learns more each day. I got some balloons and when he came down this morning he was soooo excited to see the balloons. He pointed at them and played with them. We hung streamers and a banner as well. We will have family and a few friends over tonight and it should be fun.
On a side note, I just reread my digital rebel manual and learned some really cool things about the features of my camera. Hopefully that will help with the blurry pictures I was getting with my new 50mm lens (f 1.4-fast, fast, fast!) I have a photo shoot tomorrow and so it was good to learn this trick.
Well, I guess I should go start my lesson for YW tomorrow. It is on homemaking. Sometimes….I wonder. Oh well, it will probobly be exactly what I need to read and hear.

BORED!!

It is really sad when you are so bored or I guess totally out of energy from dealing with honery?? baby all day that you sit at your computer trying to think of something to google. I won’t even tell you some of the things I came up with.
I guess I should go fold the laundy. I really think that if I had to choose one chore I really hated it would be laundry. It takes me weeks to get it done from start to finish. Depressing. There are always more fun things to do.
I made tuna for dinner. I don’t think Douglas realized it until he was in the car on the way to his meeting. I can just envision him cursing me and wondering why I made something so foul. That’s what you get for coming home so late and them running right out again. Hahahahaha. Not really. It sounded good to me.
Jackson is in this phase where he spits all his food while he eats and throws it off the tray to Strider. How do you get a child to stop. All the ladies at book club laughed at me for caring. Am I crazy that it drives me CRAZY. Tonight I tried taking him out of his chair whenever he would do it. It was punishment for me and really, I don’t think he learned a thing. He just followed me around crying. Sad life. Strider loves it and at least I don’t have to clean up the floor.
So my backdrop stand came today. I am really hoping to get my photography business going. Too bad I love in cheapville where everyone thinks I am their keeper. Rrrrr. Speaking of which, this is a constant problem with doing hair. I am too nice to people. I have one client in particular who always acts like she doesn’t have much $$, but her husband has a good job. She always leaves with me wonderinghow I ended up feeling like the rich one. Irritating. Oh well, I guess I will be blessed for my generosity??
I took Jackson to see the horses today and okay, first, I think I have a fear of horses. I like them, as long as I am not too close. Jackson was the same way. He loved to look at them and kept making the sign for more but if I got too close he would get really scared.
So, I sometimes post pictures on this scrapbooking website and it is odd, I feel like their are clics on it. Is that weird?? Sometimes I will post a really great picture and one person will comment and then someone else will post a totally random picture and will have like 15 comments. And they are always the same people that post and comment. It is weird. I never thought I would feel like an outsider on a website. I still post though and just wait for them to realize that my stuff is great too. (at least I think so.)
I went to Costco today (my favorite store–they always have cool stuff that I have to talk myself out of getting). I have been thinking of getting D a huge cooler for his bday (in may) and guess what, they had a HUGE one. I quickly put it into my cart (nothing else fit once I did) and bought it. I was so excited. I got to the car and buckled J in. Then I looked at the cooler and looked at the car and looked at the cooler and looked at the car. There was NO way that thing was fitting in my car. My common sense told me that from the get go, but I tried putting it in anyway. No can do. I ended up pulling J out, and returning the thing. So sad. I will send D back tomorrow to rebuy it. It will be a perfect cabin cooler and since D wants to spend the whole summer at the cabin (weekends at least :/) we will need one.
Well, I guess I will get off the computer now, puts the toys away, fold some laundry and work on my quilt square. I am in the process of total reorganization of the house (post for another day) and so I have much to do-Always.

Jackson

Okay, so I just have to tell you how dang cute Jackson is this morning. He sat on me while I laid on the couch and we watched Baby Einstein and every time I would make kissing noises he would lean over and give me a kiss. And he played peek a boo with me. Pretty amazing considering I have a hard time getting him to him to sit still for a millisecond.
Oh, and I just looked over and he was reading a book–turning each page one by one, getting to the end and starting over. So cute. Now I am sure that in just a second he will start ripping the book but…I will enjoy the cuteness while it lasts.
We are on our way to Henderson today to visit Gma and Gpa Walker. Should be a grand old time. First however, I have a few things to do.
One of those things being to go to my quilt class. Well, it isn’t really a class. It is a block of the month group. Basically I paid $5.00 up front for the first block then I bring the block back done the first Saturday of the next month and the next block is free. This goes on for a year (so basically you end up with 12 blocks, for any of you who are not mathematicians. Well, I stayed up late last night (as I always do the Friday before the class-shame on me for procrastinating) getting the block done. I was so proud and went to show D this morning (no he doesn’t really care about it, but does a good job faking it) and realized that I had made a BIG mistake-one that will require a lot of seam picking. Rrrrrr. Well, I will do it later. Serves me right for not being more concientous.
Oh, another funny anecdote–ahhh I will have to tell you later. My cute son is no longer being cute but rather standing by my side crying and trying to push buttons on my printer. Oh well, I will go back and read the paragraph about how cute he was being and remember.
p.s. we saw Firewall with Harrison Ford yesterday–pretty good.

Chitter Chatter

Well, the reason I haven't been writing on this blog is that I also have another one and I have been trying to get it to work b/c I already have a lot written on it. The problem is, however, that I can't get pictures to post and lets be honest, that will just not due. So for now, until I really commit to one blog or the other, you can read all of my interesting info at www.walkerpro.org/sws/weblog . By the way, as soon as I get back in town I think I will convert to this one for good.