Sunday, January 23, 2011
Fresh Start
Okay so birthday is over, baptism is over, party is over. Mormor and Papa are gone. Back to reality. Jared's job is working him hard this week. He's super stressed. But happy to be working. I had a really fun photo shoot and have more coming up. I am really trying to find the perfect balance between work and family. Its coming together I think. I LOVE what I do (see my photo blog here), and it brings in much needed extra money. Not enough though so I'm in the process of raising my prices with some serious help from a good friend/mentor Kelli. I'm helping her figure out "Clean Eating" and she's encouraging me to raise my digital file prices through the roof. In fact, I really need to work on that today. In fact, I just read a quote by Thomas Paine, "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly." Totally what I don't want from my clients. So. I have a lot of New Years Resolutions. Physical: Continue with my fitness training to reach goals I haven't quite yet met. Eat clean. Try to eliminate (most) caffeine. Emotional: Connect with my kids more. Do more fun things with them. Teach them good things always. They are only young once and its passing dang fast. Spiritual: Pray on my knees morning and night. I used to want to get up at 6 a.m. for some quiet time of scripture study and prayer before the kids got up...but I haven't even been able to do that once. So forget it. I will get my scriptures in at the kids bedtime (while I wait for them to fall asleep) and pray more sincerely, on my knees. I talked with a good friend about swapping child care so we can both go to the temple. Her and her husband one month, the next month us. Going every couple months will be alot better than what we're doing now! I'm actually super excited about that one, plus it will give the kids a fun Saturday morning with friends. Financial: Get our budget figured out, get my business more up and rolling (new logo, blogsite, pricing). Get a gallery set up in my house. That's alot of goals but I feel like they're do-able. Things we're already working on at the moment. Oh, and also blog and journal more. Take pictures of the day to day stuff so I can document it. Hmmm..Hopefully there are enough hours in the day for all this. Plus cooking, cleaning and making time to relax and de-stress. All right. Kids need lunch. Whiney and calling....
Jaxon's Birthday
Phew. This is a lot of blogging. For one morning anyway. On to Jaxon's birthday. Got lots of lame pictures that I will post anyway for memory's sake. After the baptism we had Grandparents and cousins for Jaxon's bday dinner of pizza and followed by a really cool castle cake that Grandma Cooper made. She has been making these amazing cakes/cupcakes for her grandkids for the past couple years and the kids really really look forward to them! She puts my cakemix cakes/cupcakes to shame that's for sure!!! Jaxon had randomly picked Harry Potter as his birthday theme, so the cake worked perfectly! After cake Jaxon opened all his presents and then the kids had a little dance party to the wii game "Just Dance" which was super cute.
Since Mormor and Papa were here, they wanted to treat Jaxon to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese--so we decided to make it for Hannah and Mason too, since their birthdays are next month anyway and they wanted Chuck E. Cheese parties too! So it worked out perfectly! We had Carson and Max there and an extra friend for Mason--Andrew B, to help even the numbers. It didn't really work out that way in the end, but fun having Andrew anyway! The kids (and Papa) had a blast. Jared took the day off work and was able to spend some quality time with Travis, on his "off" day from the hospital. Well, Chuck E. Cheese was a success, since all the kids are already dying to go back!! Thanks Mormor and Papa for a fantastic bday party!!
Since Mormor and Papa were here, they wanted to treat Jaxon to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese--so we decided to make it for Hannah and Mason too, since their birthdays are next month anyway and they wanted Chuck E. Cheese parties too! So it worked out perfectly! We had Carson and Max there and an extra friend for Mason--Andrew B, to help even the numbers. It didn't really work out that way in the end, but fun having Andrew anyway! The kids (and Papa) had a blast. Jared took the day off work and was able to spend some quality time with Travis, on his "off" day from the hospital. Well, Chuck E. Cheese was a success, since all the kids are already dying to go back!! Thanks Mormor and Papa for a fantastic bday party!!
Jaxon's Baptism
So I cannot believe my little Jaxon is 8. And baptized. It was kind of crazy time for his baptism-- my mom came into town I think just before our little nephew/cousin Will was admitted to the hospital because he couldn't walk or even sit anymore, after being really sick for like a month. After a few days of questions at Santa Rosa Memorial, they transported him to UCSF..an amazing hospital with zillions of specialists and genius doctors. Thank goodness its so close. After a family fast the day he was transported, Will had a team of doctors surrounding him the next morning who quickly diagnosed him with Guillian-Barre syndrome. At this point I will refer you to his poor mama's blog for her descriptions/feelings of this whole ordeal. No one wants to see their poor baby so lethargic and sick. It was hard for me to hear about this illness, but almost harder to imagine her pain and anguish about learning about it and watching her little man suffer. In fact, he will be turning 2 next week, in the hospital. A memorable birthday for sure. On a good note, he's responded very well to treatment and is regaining movement already. The doctors think he'll be able to head home in 4 weeks. Still a long time, but at least its not months. A challenging time. So...my point was...it was hard to think and plan for a really happy time in Jaxon's life, while thinking of the challenges his cousins were going through. With my parents here, it was a helpful distraction while we prepared. Jaxon was baptized on his actual birthday and I forced the poor kid to take a few pictures right before hand.
After that, Jaxon and Jared changed into their white baptismal clothing and I took another picture.
Then the service started. It was short and sweet. Grandpa Jed gave an amazing talk about baptism, and what its meant to him in his life. He gave Jaxon a headlamp as a reminder of the light and example of Christ, when things in life seem dark and challenging. And even when they're good for that matter! I wish I could remember the specifics of his talk but it was a good reminder to keep in mind the covenants and promises we make to God when we are baptized, and to try to live those more fully.
Jaxon was baptized after that, and it was really cool to see his face light up when he was brought out of the water. The newness and freshness and cleanliness baptism represents is soo comforting.
Following the baptism, Grandpa Art gave a talk on the Holy Ghost, and compared us to a GPS...in order to receive clear signals from the Holy Ghost (like from satellites) we need to be clear of obstructions, basically. Like wrong choices and sins and being caught up in the world. It was a great symbol also, although he didn't then give the GPS to Jaxon (haha). Jaxon then was blessed to received the gift of the Holy Ghost, which was a really nice blessing given by Jared.
The bishop and then Colleen Dame from primary gave him a nice welcome, and we wrapped it up. It was a very cool experience for Jaxon and I could tell he felt really good and appreciated all who had come. It was especially cool that all his grandparents were there and that even Jenna was exhausted from her week at the hospital, she was able to make it with Carson and Max. Thank you Jenna!
After that, Jaxon and Jared changed into their white baptismal clothing and I took another picture.
Then the service started. It was short and sweet. Grandpa Jed gave an amazing talk about baptism, and what its meant to him in his life. He gave Jaxon a headlamp as a reminder of the light and example of Christ, when things in life seem dark and challenging. And even when they're good for that matter! I wish I could remember the specifics of his talk but it was a good reminder to keep in mind the covenants and promises we make to God when we are baptized, and to try to live those more fully.
Jaxon was baptized after that, and it was really cool to see his face light up when he was brought out of the water. The newness and freshness and cleanliness baptism represents is soo comforting.
Following the baptism, Grandpa Art gave a talk on the Holy Ghost, and compared us to a GPS...in order to receive clear signals from the Holy Ghost (like from satellites) we need to be clear of obstructions, basically. Like wrong choices and sins and being caught up in the world. It was a great symbol also, although he didn't then give the GPS to Jaxon (haha). Jaxon then was blessed to received the gift of the Holy Ghost, which was a really nice blessing given by Jared.
The bishop and then Colleen Dame from primary gave him a nice welcome, and we wrapped it up. It was a very cool experience for Jaxon and I could tell he felt really good and appreciated all who had come. It was especially cool that all his grandparents were there and that even Jenna was exhausted from her week at the hospital, she was able to make it with Carson and Max. Thank you Jenna!
Papa Comes
Of course after all that raving about Mormor I for sure can't leave out Papa!! My dad came and joined us this trip since it was going to be Jaxon's special 8th birthday and baptism. I never can exactly put my finger on what it is about having my dad here--but I really look forward to his presence. Besides the fact that he fixes everything that needs fixing (broken light fixtures, permanently clogged toilets, changing lightbulbs...etc. etc.), his presence here is just a comfort to me. Probably just cause he's my dad!
Okay but before I go on, I want to include a letter that emailed to us while he was at home and my mom was here--hope that's okay with you, Dad! It was hilarious.
Hilarious, right???!
He's been wanting to take the kids geocaching for some time, and was able to do that this time, which was fun for them...even though they only found one out of the four that they looked for. I love that he enjoys his nightly desserts with us, so my mom stocked the house with oreos and ice cream before he got here...always a nice excuse to ditch that diet and eat treats with him! (Although I know he's SUPER healthy at home and would never dream of eating ice cream and cookies every night, right Dad?) Jared had a crazy night at work the night before Jaxon's baptism--so my dad and I went early to the church to fill the font and set up chairs. It was a sad day when my parents left. That's for sure. Isaac didn't quite grasp that they were gone for good and kept asking for Mormor and Papa. It was very sweet. Now I'm wishing I got a picture of my dad and the upside down toilet and the nasty toothbrushes he found down the pipes--which is why its been permanently clogged--thank you Isaac!
Okay but before I go on, I want to include a letter that emailed to us while he was at home and my mom was here--hope that's okay with you, Dad! It was hilarious.
January 9, 2011
Hi all,
This might be short. The night is almost upon us. I was happy to accept Matt and Taryn’s supper invitation tonight. After a delicious supper we watched a movie. I got home in time to take out the recycling, talk to your mother on the phone, and type out this letter.
I drove your mother to the airport on Tuesday. As it happened, a medical detail rep brought in lunch to the clinic that day. After I finished a good helping of garlic laden pasta, I realized that it really didn’t matter how bad my garlic breath was, because your mother would not be around to put up with it. It caused me to wonder how many other things I could do while your mother was away and not have to worry about it. So I kept a list. I’m sure I could add to the list if I had a little more time to think about it.
Here’s the list:
1. Eat all the garlic I like with the only consequence being possible massive thirst and the resulting trips to the bathroom.
2. Discharge all the flatulence I care to without fear of harassment, assuming I restrict such pleasures to home and not the office.
3. Wash dishes the man’s way – turn on tap, swish dish under the water, put dish on drying rack. Don’t even think about using soap.
4. Leave the toilet seat up. This is actually very hard to do. I am too well trained.
5. Play video games to my heart’s desire, including Texas Holdem, anytime of the night or day.
6. Wash hands, dry hands on towel, and then scratch nose with towel. That one gets me into major trouble when your mother catches me.
7. Throw out things that could be recycled. As a matter of fact I threw out a lot of things but I will skip the specifics since the evidence (or lack thereof) could be incriminating.
8. Go to bed any dang time I feel like it.
9. Have naps any dang time I feel like it.
10. Eat cookies for breakfast.
11. Eat cookies for lunch.
12. Eat cookies for supper.
13. Eat cookies anytime.
14. Don’t eat any vegetables.
15. Don’t eat any salad.
16. Don’t eat anything that might be good for me.
17. Leave the bedroom closet door open when I go to bed.
18. Leave the bedroom door open when I go to bed.
19. Leave the ensuite bathroom door open when I go to bed.
20. Leave any door in the house open that I feel like when I go to bed.
21. Use the same bowel and cutlery for all meals. Wash bowel and cutlery after each use. See 3 above.
22. Heat up food in the microwave on a plate covered with saran wrap.
23. Take peanut butter and jam sandwiches to work for lunch.
24. Buy lunch when I get tired of peanut butter and jam sandwiches.
25. Wear wickaway underwear to the gym all week without washing it after each use. (I’m thinking of doing this. I haven’t actually done it yet but it is nice to know that I could if I wanted to.)
26. Let the answering machine answer all incoming phone calls. (Unless it is special people I recognize on call display.)
Well, as you can see, it’s almost like being in heaven around here. It would be except this place would never be heaven without the one ingredient that is missing. Your mother.
Bye and love,
Dad/Art
Hilarious, right???!
He's been wanting to take the kids geocaching for some time, and was able to do that this time, which was fun for them...even though they only found one out of the four that they looked for. I love that he enjoys his nightly desserts with us, so my mom stocked the house with oreos and ice cream before he got here...always a nice excuse to ditch that diet and eat treats with him! (Although I know he's SUPER healthy at home and would never dream of eating ice cream and cookies every night, right Dad?) Jared had a crazy night at work the night before Jaxon's baptism--so my dad and I went early to the church to fill the font and set up chairs. It was a sad day when my parents left. That's for sure. Isaac didn't quite grasp that they were gone for good and kept asking for Mormor and Papa. It was very sweet. Now I'm wishing I got a picture of my dad and the upside down toilet and the nasty toothbrushes he found down the pipes--which is why its been permanently clogged--thank you Isaac!
Mormor's Birthday
We were super lucky to have my mom come at the beginning of January...just went post-holiday/rain blues were starting to kick in for me. She was a fantastic distraction and we really enjoyed her coming!! She got to share Hannah's room with her..which Hannah always loves to do. A few days after she got here, it was Mormor's birthday. We had a girls' outing to go see Tangled (which was awesome!) and then we had Jared's butternut squash soup for dinner followed by ice cream and oreos for the kids, and cheesecake as Mormor's birthday dessert choice (of course with cherry pie filling as a topping). We loved being able to celebrate with this amazing lady, and took a few pictures.
My mom is seriously one of the most giving and compassionate people I know! She always has been..absolutely going the extra mile for anyone that needs anything! Any time she comes here she becomes Mom #2 for my kids...(that's a great thing!!), and helps with their meals and chores and homework and babysitting and laundry and sewing buttons and blankets and oh my the list goes on and on. But most importantly I look forward to having her presence here...to chat with and vent with--she empathizes with me struggles and reminds me of my blessings. I miss her already! Seeing my parents once or twice a year is just not enough. The kids adore them and can't wait til we make the trip in the summer!
My mom is seriously one of the most giving and compassionate people I know! She always has been..absolutely going the extra mile for anyone that needs anything! Any time she comes here she becomes Mom #2 for my kids...(that's a great thing!!), and helps with their meals and chores and homework and babysitting and laundry and sewing buttons and blankets and oh my the list goes on and on. But most importantly I look forward to having her presence here...to chat with and vent with--she empathizes with me struggles and reminds me of my blessings. I miss her already! Seeing my parents once or twice a year is just not enough. The kids adore them and can't wait til we make the trip in the summer!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Christmas 2010.
Christmas 2010 rocked!! Every year I decide the kids will get less toys..and that has yet to happen. Both sets of grandparents spoil them rotten!! They love it. This year, Santa brought Jaxon and Mason bikes...Hannah wanted a camera (learning from her mama!) and so that's what Santa brought her. Isaac's big gift was an art easel which actually hasn't been used a whole lot. He still prefers the wii. Seriously the only 3 year old I know that can play the wii and the computer as well as he can. What does that say about me? So sad. Seriously.
All right. I just went through all our Christmas pictures and sadly I hardly took any. I took a few extended family shots Christmas Eve, sort of...that I'll post. But I realized, luckily, Hannah took a million pictures Christmas day with her new camera which I will post here later. She will seriously be thrilled.
But Christmas Eve we spent with Jared's family...took some pictures for Kalleen's Christmas card, and then had a yummy dinner of some kind of beef wrapped up in salty dough?? I dunno but I wish I took a picture of it cause it was YUM. Then Grandpa Coop talked about the story of Jesus, in a kid-friendly version that was really nice. He also bribed them with a "money grab" to be quiet while he talked. (Fistful of coins from his stash of change! Score!!) It was perfect. Then to the presents. We just let them at it and they all open all the presents at the same time and it is insanity since there are 8 grandkids under the age of 9. (Oldest and youngest are the only girls!)
But it is pure bliss for them and its really fun to watch the excitement of opening gifts. It doesn't even matter what it is, they think its awesome. Love it!!
Christmas Eve we got home relatively early, got the kids to bed and then just chilled..it was so nice. This time I had decided to do all the wrapping like 2 nights prior and I was soo glad I did!
Christmas morning they slept til 7 a.m. and then got up to find what Santa had left them. We dragged ourselves out of bed by around 7:30 and let them open the rest of the presents. Pure joy again!!
Usually we stay home all day in our pajamas, but this time we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's to be with the cousins and uncles and aunts and enjoyed the day. Awesome brunch of pumpkin waffles and chicken sausages by Uncle Brad, and Tangled in the afternoon--perfect day!
It was a nice Christmas (except for a little toe breakage by me...not so nice...its getting better now though so its fading into the dustiness of memory..thank goodness).
I'm sure tons more happened but I'm tired and I hear the kids going a little nuts upstairs while Jared tries to get them to bed...so I'll end here for now. More to come tomorrow with updates from January...Jaxon's stapled head, sick little nephew Will...visits from Musson grandparents for Jaxon's bday and baptism...more to come!
All right. I just went through all our Christmas pictures and sadly I hardly took any. I took a few extended family shots Christmas Eve, sort of...that I'll post. But I realized, luckily, Hannah took a million pictures Christmas day with her new camera which I will post here later. She will seriously be thrilled.
But Christmas Eve we spent with Jared's family...took some pictures for Kalleen's Christmas card, and then had a yummy dinner of some kind of beef wrapped up in salty dough?? I dunno but I wish I took a picture of it cause it was YUM. Then Grandpa Coop talked about the story of Jesus, in a kid-friendly version that was really nice. He also bribed them with a "money grab" to be quiet while he talked. (Fistful of coins from his stash of change! Score!!) It was perfect. Then to the presents. We just let them at it and they all open all the presents at the same time and it is insanity since there are 8 grandkids under the age of 9. (Oldest and youngest are the only girls!)
But it is pure bliss for them and its really fun to watch the excitement of opening gifts. It doesn't even matter what it is, they think its awesome. Love it!!
Christmas Eve we got home relatively early, got the kids to bed and then just chilled..it was so nice. This time I had decided to do all the wrapping like 2 nights prior and I was soo glad I did!
Christmas morning they slept til 7 a.m. and then got up to find what Santa had left them. We dragged ourselves out of bed by around 7:30 and let them open the rest of the presents. Pure joy again!!
Usually we stay home all day in our pajamas, but this time we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's to be with the cousins and uncles and aunts and enjoyed the day. Awesome brunch of pumpkin waffles and chicken sausages by Uncle Brad, and Tangled in the afternoon--perfect day!
It was a nice Christmas (except for a little toe breakage by me...not so nice...its getting better now though so its fading into the dustiness of memory..thank goodness).
I'm sure tons more happened but I'm tired and I hear the kids going a little nuts upstairs while Jared tries to get them to bed...so I'll end here for now. More to come tomorrow with updates from January...Jaxon's stapled head, sick little nephew Will...visits from Musson grandparents for Jaxon's bday and baptism...more to come!
Very First Post
So. The day has come. I have finally started our family blog. There have been many moments lately that I feel like are already forgotten. I haven't journaled in ages...and I feel like we are in the golden years and they will be over in no time. So its, well, practically the end of January..but the start of a new year. And thanks to sort of learning about blogging through my photography biz it is time to start documenting our family life. Hopefully on a regular basis.
There are 6 of us. Hannah is almost 10 for crying out loud. Jaxon just turned 8 and was baptized a week ago (which I will actually post pictures of). Mason is going to be 6 next month, and Isaac is 3. I realized recently how much I am enjoying Isaac. This is the first time I've really been able to enjoy a 3 year old completely, since I don't have another baby that I'm spending all my energy taking care of! It has been bitter sweet deciding that we are done at 4 kids...sad that I will have no more babies, but also nice that I can actually really focus on and appreciate each of the kids.
As I write this, Isaac is running around naked, occasionally yelling that he has to "go potty"...and then runs to the bathroom to successfully make it to the toilet. Its happened twice, and both times I've been super excited, until I see the long line of "sprinkles" all the way across the floor to the bathroom. Whatever. Good thing I haven't had my carpets cleaned in a while.
The kids are wii junkies. They could play 24-7..but the aftermath of too many hours of wii is torturous. Jaxon especially gets super angry and annoyed with everyone and is just not fun to be around.
So...this being a new year, I do want to post about Christmas so I can remember that it actually happened in 2010. Like the Christmas of 2009? Totally gone. Out of my memory. Except for the fact that we got snakes.
All right. New post to talk about Christmas.
But wait. Here is a recent picture of all the kids...not my favorite photo..but the most recent.
There are 6 of us. Hannah is almost 10 for crying out loud. Jaxon just turned 8 and was baptized a week ago (which I will actually post pictures of). Mason is going to be 6 next month, and Isaac is 3. I realized recently how much I am enjoying Isaac. This is the first time I've really been able to enjoy a 3 year old completely, since I don't have another baby that I'm spending all my energy taking care of! It has been bitter sweet deciding that we are done at 4 kids...sad that I will have no more babies, but also nice that I can actually really focus on and appreciate each of the kids.
As I write this, Isaac is running around naked, occasionally yelling that he has to "go potty"...and then runs to the bathroom to successfully make it to the toilet. Its happened twice, and both times I've been super excited, until I see the long line of "sprinkles" all the way across the floor to the bathroom. Whatever. Good thing I haven't had my carpets cleaned in a while.
The kids are wii junkies. They could play 24-7..but the aftermath of too many hours of wii is torturous. Jaxon especially gets super angry and annoyed with everyone and is just not fun to be around.
So...this being a new year, I do want to post about Christmas so I can remember that it actually happened in 2010. Like the Christmas of 2009? Totally gone. Out of my memory. Except for the fact that we got snakes.
All right. New post to talk about Christmas.
But wait. Here is a recent picture of all the kids...not my favorite photo..but the most recent.
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