P's birthday and more!

This is such a P look...you know how your kids have "those" looks that are so them...this is one of them. J took charge and open, inspected and played with all her gifts for her. He is so helpful.

P is trying to figure out her new house. I had no idea what to get her and this got great reviews on the internet. We will see if it ends up being a winner or not.

P's baby doll from her Nana and Papa.

Look at that maternal instinct. She is a natural.

Just crawling through the door.

With their mama. Seriously, I don't see myself in pics often and I really don't recognize the girl I see...I look like I am getting old or something.

Douglas told me if I didn't put pictures of myself on then my posterity would think I was ugly or something and that is why I never put pictures up...now they will know how stunning I truly am (was.)

Happy bday P. By the time we got around to cake she was done and went to bed without really eating any cake...

Just a little blue....

Do you ever have those days when you are just a little blue?? Today is one of those for me. I have just been a little sad...don't know why exactly. Okay, well it probably has a lot to do with being tired. I have stayed up too late the last few weeks and it is really taking a toll on me. I haven't been the mother or wife I want to be. I also think it has to do with being so busy getting ready for this class, trying to keep up with sessions I have done and trying to keep up with a house. I feel a little unbalanced right now. I know it will be past soon, but it makes me sad.

I want to be better and sometimes it is so hard not to have the time to devote to doing the things I love. Then I feel sad because my kids grow so fast and even though I love what each new stage brings I miss the past one.

Oh, so I don't know what it is. I am just a little blue. I like it better when I am happy. Hopefully tomorrow will be one of those days.

Happy Birthday!!

Little Miss P, Paigie Poots Boo girl, Sissy Sue, Drama Queen, Love Bug, Sweet Pea

We couldn't imagine life without you and I couldn't ask for a more beautiful little girl. I waited all my life to have a little girl to dress up and be mine and you are perfect. Any time I put a hat, bow or accessory on, you grin as wide as you can. You know you are too cute. I love how you suck your thumb and snuggle into your blankie as go to sleep. I love how you will crawl as fast as you can when you see me. I love your gap tooth little gummy smile. I love how excited to get when you see your bottle. I love you. Thanks for being ours.

Lessons on Life

J and I were outside when a neighbor's dog came over, found a baby bird and killed it. J watched this and was quite sad about it so we dug a hole and buried baby bird. Then we had a little talk about where you go when you die and that you get to see Heavenly Father and your family. J wasn't quite getting it so I tied up the conversation. About 20 minutes later J came up to me and said,

"When Max (the dog) kills me I am going to heaven to see mama bird."

Oh to be so innocent.

Sink Bath

D's bday

Calypso Pie...mmmm

I didn't have 30 candles so we just did a multiple of 30. Good thing J helped him.


We actually got Grams to come over which is always a treat. We had burgers, tater tots (D's request), watermelon.

Yeah!! 30 years!!

George

Post piggies Paige.

Grandma Dee and Paigie.

Paige's first try with ice cream...

Good but,

Too COLD!

Manners, what are those?


The verdict is in, and she LOVED it!!

our birdie

This momma bird made our peach tree her home...J is fascinated by her nest and eggs and is usually pretty nice except for the occasional pounding on the tree or whistle blowing nearby.

Coming up for breath...

Have I ever mentioned that I am a little anxiety ridden. Add, lack of sleep, lots to do and two busy kiddos and really, not a pretty picture. I try to hold it together, but oft times, something has to go and lately that has been blogging. I love to blog so that has been a sacrifice.

So here I am...it is almost 11pm and I should be in bed. I had decided that I would start waking early to exercise...maybe Friday. The evening will have to do for now. Who am I kidding anyway. I am NOT a morning person. I really wish I was, but I am not. I like to sleep. At least until 7am. I know I am such a lazy butt.

So, what is going on with me? Oh, photo sessions to edit, a workshop (insert major stomach ache thinking of it) to finish putting together, bday announcement for P to order and send out, bills to pay (oh yeah), blogs to update.

Oh yeah, and two little, demanding children. How do people have any more than two??

Along with my anxiety comes much fun..here is a run down...

Two weeks ago we went to Vegas and I helped a friend shoot a wedding. Wow, these people dropped some dough on their event. It was a good learning experience and made me greatful to have an understanding of eternal families. This whole bit is no good if it ends when we die.

My inlaws made a surprise appearance this past weekend. I love visitors and it was such a fun, relaxed weekend. J was in grandma heaven. DeEtte plays non-stop with him and he loves it. I don't even know how many games of CandyLand they got through this weekend. We went out on Saturday to celebrate D's #30 (wow he's old!). I had wanted to put together a fun bbq, but he requested that we go out because he knew I would spend the day cooking, cleaning, and being frazled and I guess he doesn't like that. We went out with a few friends and had a really nice dinner at a little restaurant in Kayenta (the snooty, earthy community up the road from us). Then we headed to our house for yummy brownie sundaes. Mmmmm.

What else did we do with them...let's see...slept in (oh yeah, just me I guess), watched movies, and relaxed.

P is growing so fast...She now has four chompers, stands for long periods unassisted (I wish she would figure out the moving legs thing...I am sick of dirty knees), says a few words, "Jackson", "Strider", "Doggie", "Momma", "Dadda", "Nite-nite", "bobba" to name a few. She signs well when she wants, only wants to feed herself, and never wants to me away from momma. Actually she is fine until she catched sight of me or hears me and then she cries. I love that I bring out the best in my kiddos.

J is always cracking us up. He loves to pester his "Sissie Sue" or "Pagie-poots" or "Boo" as he likes to refer to her. He told DeEtte the first morning that they were here that it was a "beautiful morning to not wear pants." Has cut yet another article of clothing and is very headstrong. At the same time he is a snuggler and always needs a hug as soon as he is scolded. I took some Love and Logic classes and they have really helped with parenting him. He is taking gymnastics again and loves it. One of his nursery leaders told me that he is now one of the best behaved in nursery. My little boy?? Hurray. Can't remember the other funny things he has said, but they come non-stop. He is a crackup.

D is 30. Wowzers. He is hiking rim to rim at the Grand Canyon this weekend and is sooo excited. He tries to bike as much as he can too.

Well, I am really tired now, but everyone can get off my back because I posted :).

Anyone want to come visit? I am lonely for some company.

And p.s. why is gas so DANG expensive??

I tried to hold out until the big day BUT...

she is just too dang cute. I couldn't resist!!

can you believe she will be one on sunday. where did the year go?

I sing nice primary songs to J as he goes to sleep, but what does his Dad sing?? Oh, songs by Widespread Panic...And which song does J always request? His dad's of course. So here he is singing "coconut".

check out sarah's babies!!

Here

Another Jacksonism

J saw a Nordstrom catalog on the counter yesterday and asked, "Is that the Book of Normon?"

No honey, although I bet some wish it was.

good meal ideas!!

I am in need of some good meal ideas for my dinner group. Let me know if you have any please. I am dying to try something new.

Happy Mother's Day!!

So, I guess everyone should know that I have the greatest mom. People always think I am crazy when I say I just want one little girl and it is because I want to have the relationship with little miss P that I had with my mom growing up as the only girl in a house full of boys. Any good quality I have as a mother I learned from her and every bad quality I did not. She is an example of patience, kindness, loyalty, generosity, beauty and fun. I am not a great expressor of feeling through words, but I love her and can't imagine my life without her. When I am sad, sick, or have some success in my life, she is one of the first I have to tell about it. Thanks for being the greatest. I love you mom!

And, on that vein you also need to know that I have the greatest MIL out there. How did I luck out to marry into such a great family?? I must have done something right along the way of life to receive such a great blessing! Thanks for being the most fantastic, unjudgemental, giving, creative, sacrificing MIL I could ask for. You are great DeEtte and I love you too.

To all aspiring photographers!!

My friend Kellie and I are offering a photography workshop this June that will be great for any of you with SLR cameras that want to figure out how to use them to take great portraits. Check out our blog!

You've Been Shot!

4 comments, seriously??

I know there are more than four people that read my blog and if you want to continue reading it maybe you could throw me a bone once and a while. Otherwise I will just ban you from reading it. So there.

Just a whole lotta pictures...

I finally took J and P out for Easter pictures. I was so glad Anne came along...I couldn't have done it without her. I really think my kids are HARD to take pics of. I was exhausted by the end. Anne was a great help...and patient. Thank you!!
I played around with photoshop which I don't do much anymore. It is fun, but sucks away my life, so I really limit myself. I played with new conversions and textures and I like what I came up with.don't be fooled, he is not as innocent as he looks.
which of these two do you like?
We loved having my mom out to visit. J says almost everyday that he wants "nana" to go to Grams house again. Grams lives kiddie corner so that means he gets to see nana if she is there (my mom always stays over there.)Douglas tried his hand at the whole photography bit. Seriously, with such a hot model how could he fail??Here is the picture of my new charm bracelet. Charming, huh?It was Father and Sons for our ward this weekend. D wasn't ready to take J so he decided to do it in the backyard. J had a blast!! The roasted weiners over a campfire, made smores and slept in the tent. J loved it!My mom got J an ice cream at Blue Bunny and he was in heaven. We had to stop the guy from piling the cone any higher. Yes, I know his bib is pink, it is all I had and he loves pink anyway...all to save the white shirt.We went to lunch at this new little cafe on main street. I love the atmosphere down here. I know I will frequent that place. Here is our self portrait from our anniversary.

Oh. and my child decided to try his hand at cosmetology. He cut down to his scalp in the middle top of his head. There is nothing I can do to salvage it. {sigh} Seriously, I am not sure that we will both survive this year...I have almost all the scissors up and away, but I was trimming something in my office and left for a short time. My little ninja (he is silent) snuck in, hid away, and worked on his masterpiece. Sorry, no pics of this one...I am trying not to encourage anything.

Lest you think J is fun to take pictures of...

What r we up 2?

you ask?? Well, quite a bit in fact! Here is a run down of the last few weeks and some of my children's craziness. But first, the great Jacksonism of the week (this may not be totally G rated so read with caution)...

J was sitting on my mom's lap and proceeds to tell her,
"My Dad has giant testicles under his penis."

All right then.

Anyway, last week we made the trek out to Cali-for-n-eye-ay to visit my brother, sis in law and nieces at their new place in Orange County. We had a blast...park, shopping, bike riding, popsicles, bow making, playing Ticket to Ride, watching "B" movies, eating too much good food and enjoying great company. We had a fabulous time minus the car ride. I mean the ride wasn't horrible, but when is a car ride with two kids ever fun. And seriously, gas prices, ridiculous. Tey are expecting baby #3, a boy, this summer, so we are trying to fit in good times until then.

My mom made a surprise appearance and came back to Utah with us. We had a fun week--of course we made a stop at Cafe Rio which I have missed. This is the second time this year (can you believe it) that I have gone. I was having withdrawls. I stopped going when I was doing Weight Watchers and I am glad to be back on the wagon. Why is it so dang good? I always have such a great time with my mom. She is one of my best friends and I feel so lucky to have had her here.

Paigie is a crawling maniac. She is fast and into everything. She popped out two teeth and is working on three and four. I finally found the culprit of her momma only fussiness...teeth. As soon as that dang thing came through she was all happiness and giggles again. I love when she is like that...so much fun to be her mom. She just started pulling herself to standing in the last week. I know she will be walking before I know it, not to mention that she will be one in another month and a few days. Where did the year go? It makes me sad. She wears cute piggie tails now that she insists to pull out half way through church.

J is loving to ride his bike these days. He has a little bike that was mine when I was a little girl. It is cast aluminum--super sturdy. From one day to the next he figured out how to ride it. Now I find him outside all the time riding around. He continues to say the funniest stuff. Tonight he poured a spray bottle of water that he got in the bathroom all over his bed...nice. He is keeping me on my toes. I am taking another Love and Logic class because seriously, I need all the help I can get with him. He has been really hard for me to know how to discipline. It seems that he responds to nothing which is so irritating. I am trying out a few new tactics so I will see how they work. He started swimming lessons last week and loves it...he is a little fish and has no qualms with going under water and no fear of the water period.

D and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. We decided that we were going to get a TV and DVD player to mount to the wall by the treadmill so we can put away the portable DVD player that we have been using. Since we were doing that I just got him a card and some pistachios. I thought that was it until we pulled away from Costco and pulled a present out of the glove box for me. I was shocked. We rarely get gifts for each other for various reasons so I really didn't expect this at all. So I open it up and it is this beautiful charm bracelet that I had told him I wanted. On it he had four charms. I will post a picture when I am not feeling lazy so you can see how nice it is. We went to dinner, ran errands and just enjoyed time together. I can't believe it has already been five years and at the same time I feel like it has been forever. And I love him so much more today than I did the day I married him...I couldn't imagine that being possible when we got married, but each day I spend with him I love him more and more.

Okay, sappy enough. Really though, he is the best.

D was called as first counselor in the young men's organization. I am a little sad about it...just for selfish reasons because I like him home with me in the evenings, but he is great with the youth.

May will be busy for us. D turns the big 30 so I want to plan something fun. Any ideas? He will do a few hikes, but I want to plan a little party or something.

Can't think of anything else to say and I am tired so until next time....

Oh.......my.......gosh...

He will be the end of me. Let me just list the naughties from today:

1. Pen on the white bead board in the family room

2. In my garden (which he KNOWS he is not supposed to get into)

3. Packages of gum mysteriously appearing in the backyard (of course there are no pieces remaining)

4. Found him with two sword letter openers that he found in my desk (which he is banned from going through)

5. Playing in the big bucket of dog food (can't tell you how many times it has been discarded after he fills it with water)

6. Found him outside with scissors cutting his clothing (again)

I know there are more, but I think I forget as a survival tactic. He has been in time out more times than I can count. He doesn't care. What am I to do.

Some time the lesson is harder on the teacher!

J has been such a stinker lately...fibbing, temper tantrums, picking on P. You name it. I am trying to be really consistent with him which is tough since by nature I guess I am sort of a pushover. I am trying though!

Tonight we were having FHE. J was acting up, running away, arguing. You know the scene. So, when the lesson that he completely missed was over I decided that we would play a game and he couldn't play with us b/c he didn't behave for the lesson. Unfortuately the game I chose was Duck, duck goose. What was I thinking? So D, P and I played an exciting game of DDG. J tried to get in on it, but I made it clear that he was not invited to play.

Next, we sang a song and said the closing prayer. J was warned but once again opted not to join so I decided that I would bring dessert out and all the well behaved family members could have some. So, I dug through the freezer and uncovered some old, semi freezer burned skinny cow ice cream sandwiches. J was very sad, but D and I couldn't stop laughing as we tried to eat the rock hard, kinda gross sandwiches all in the name of helping our child develop good character.

Some times being a parent stinks.

when did that happen??

I have crow's feet around my eyes. For real? When did I get old enough for that to happen. I thought you were only as old as you feel which would put me at about 21.



Thank heavens for photoshop...you will all just have to see them in person if you really want to.

Real piggies!!

So, is it just me?

Every day around 4:30pm P just falls apart. She crawls after me crying, cries some more and cries unless I am holding her. This goes on until bedtime. I am going crazy and D thinks all she does is cries.

She did this a while back and then stopped and now she is doing it again. Could she be sick? Is it just a phase?

I am going crazy.

My new photography blog...

http://www.staciashawphotography.blogspot.com/

Just a place for clients to preview.

he says the darndest things...

I found Jackson in my closet today with D's headlamp on the ground illuminating the ceiling. He tells me as he makes shapes into the lighted ceiling..."I'm a frosus (ferocious) monster."

I asked J the other day how he got so cute. His reply, "Jesus."

J in the car the other day tells me, "Jesus built the sun."

J saw an indian statue the other day and informed me that it was David of David and Gowiath.

he is hillarious.

just a little "basgetti"

and she loved it.