post partum decision

What do you do when your baby turns four months old and you realize that you've had ample time to lose that baby weight and start taking care of yourself, but you look in the mirror and look exactly like you did the day he was born?

You take the one part of yourself those gorgeous-long-flowing-locks-of-beautiful-hair and completely desecrate it?  Like this...

More importantly, you don't even think about chopping off the only-good-thing-you've-got-going-for-you-at-the-moment-hair until your friend is just getting ready to cut. You know, just so you can traumatize both of you!  Luckily, if you have an awesome stylist like I do, you'll still end up looking decent and then take lots and lots of self portraits of yourself so that you can see just how chubby you still are and hopefully get motivated to actually lose some of that baby weight!

 

girls weekend in st. george

Camille (and Trey), Heidi, Dani and I (left Michelle behind...boo) and headed to sunny St. George for a girls weekend trip.  It was exactly what I needed.  I've been cooped up in my house, and more specifically, my bed for the past 7 weeks.  I needed to get away.  I needed to re-energize my soul and remind myself how to live again.

The week leading up to the trip I could hardly wait.  From the second we left Salt Lake my heart was so happy.  The sunshine was exactly what my soul needed.  I couldn't get over how perfect the weather was the entire time and, more importantly, how lucky I was to be with three A-MAZE-ING ladies and one adorable baby!

We had the best time.  Although, I still was not 100% myself (hence the lack of pictures) and had moments where I felt really sick, it was fabulous.  We ate, shopped, got pedicures, watched movies, talked, played on our iphones, ate some more and talked some more.  We were so lucky to be able to stay at Camille's parents condo.

I loved sharing ideas with each other about parenting and life.  Each one of us is so different in our own way.  I learned so much from these girls this weekend.  I came home refreshed and ready to be the best wife and mother I could possibly be.  Obviously, I've got a long ways to go, but it's great to have the inspiration I received this weekend to just keep going and do my best.

I couldn't get enough of the sunshine.  I sat outside every morning and read.  It was heavenly!

Cam and Trey.  He was an angel the whole time!

It's tradition!

What would you expect the trunk to look like after a girls trip?

Thank goodness I got an iphone the day before the trip.  I would have been seriously left out!

Trey, Heidi, Me, Dani & Camille

if you give a pig a pancake

Are you familiar with these children books?  They are pretty funny and hit much too close to home for me.  You see, I feel this way ALL.  THE.  TIME.  Here is my version of the story:

IF YOU GIVE BRITTANY AN HOUR TO HERSELF

If you give Brittany an hour to herself.  She'll probably think of 20 things that she can cram into that hour.  She'll remember that her phone is broken so she'll stop by the store to have it fixed.  While at the phone store, she'll remember that she is close to one of her favorite stores.  She'll have to stop by and look around.  Then she'll remember that Christmas is coming and she needs to buy gifts.  She'll load her cart with Christmas gifts.  Then she'll see a pillow that reminds her she wants to redecorate her bedroom.  She'll buy the pillow.

On the way home, she'll see another store she remembers she needs to visit because they have things that would help her redecorate her bedroom.  She'll stop inside and find the perfect quilt and rug.  While she's there, she'll see a shelf that reminds her how bad she's wanted a new shelf for her kitchen.  She'll buy the shelf.  She'll bring all her new items home.  She'll hang up the shelf in her kitchen.  Then she'll remember she really needs some new bowls and cups.

She'll go to the store and buy some more bowls and cups.  While at the store, she'll remember that she really needs some new boots for the winter.  She'll take the new boots home and put them in her closet.  She'll remember that she bought a new quilt and rug for her bedroom.  She'll put them in her room.  Then she'll remember that she really wanted to repaint her bedroom.  She'll go to the store and get paint swatches.  She'll hang them all over the room and try to decide on a color.  Her husband will return from his business trip and she'll tell him everything she's done.  He'll think she's gone crazy.  She'll feel a little crazy and be reminded that all she would like is an hour to herself!

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who does this?  Also, please tell me there's a cure?



p.s.  This is a true story. 

p.p.s.  I'm painting my room gray.  Tim talked me into waiting until after Christmas when he has the week off {I'm thinking this weekend sounds better}.

wasatch back ragnar relay 2010

{Strong & Hanni Team}

My experience was so great last year (minus the dehydration causing me to feel like I was going to die part) and for some reason the Strong & Hanni team invited me to run with them again this year (pretty sure it's too ensure that none of them have the slowest times) so I couldn't resist!  Although my training consisted of about two short runs leading up to this race, I had a great time.

{Our Van...Jackie, Jeremy, Emilee, Laura, Me, Ryan & James?!}  

This picture is hilarious because James is actually standing with us in the picture next to Ryan (can you see his shorts?), but whoever took it cut him off.  Sorry James!

{Laure & Emilee}

Isn't it obvious these two are sisters?  Emilee is my neighbor and her husband Jeremy is the one who coordinates the team and was nice enough to invite me.

{Jackie-O...my back seat partner}

{Laura exchanging with me...off I go!}

The highlights of this race for me were:

1.  Emilee letting me borrow her shorts.  Only a true friend would let someone else sweat in their brand new shorts and then take them home and wash them....eeew!  I would have died from the heat without those shorts.  Thanks Em.

2.  Jeremy running my second leg for me.  I consider it a sacrifice, but Jeremy sees it otherwise.  It was like 2 am.  I was half asleep.  Who cares about running?  Jeremy offered to run it and I said, "okay."  He coordinated the whole thing, he drove us the entire time, supplied us with drinks...it was the least I could do!  Plus, he wasn't running because he got an injury (but somehow managed to do my longest run...questionable, I know?)  I also know that I've disgraced the Jones name, but this race is all about  fun...right?  Thanks Jeremy.

3.  The great company.  Our van was filled with fun.  I loved being with Emilee & Laura who were both running for the first time.  They were so nervous.  It was fun to watch their excitement and anticipation.  Not to mention, they are just fun to be around and talk to.  Also, Jackie is a riot.  She has great stories and let's us sleep at her house!  The boys make us laugh, "Why The Face?!"  Ryan has endless amounts of stories about everything.  James made me laugh even when he wasn't trying {Toy Story 3} and Jeremy's quiet nature is deceivingly funny.  Thanks Van Crew.

4.  My amazing supportive husband & family.  I was just coming around the corner of my last run approaching my climb to the finish line when I saw my family pull into the parking lot.  It couldn't have been better timing.  I love seeing my family during a race.  It's all the motivation I need to push myself harder and keep going.  Tim was so great.  This race was pretty crazy to pull off.  Tim (along with my boys, in-laws and a car packed for a road trip) picked me up at the finish line in Park City.  We then drove straight to St. George on our way to a 9-day vacation in California.  Which meant that Tim had to pack up the van and get the boys ready all on his own while I was off running through the mountains.  They also had to traipse through the crazy finish line crowds (seriously crazy...picture grown men in super-hero costumes, wedding dresses and speedos) to find me.  True love...I know.  Thanks family.

Okay, this felt more like an acceptance speech than highlights.  Bottom line, it was a great race thanks to everyone involved...and no thanks to my lack of training!  

book of life

 We each have our own book of life.   Our books are full of chapters.  Some chapters are happier than others.  Some chapters are cliff hangers.  Some chapters seem to drag on forever.  Some chapters you don't want to see end.  However, each of these chapters is important to the development of our life stories.  I believe that our Heavenly Father is the author of this book and we are merely characters.  If we allow Him, he will develop us into the characters we have the potential to become.  However, if we ignore this beautiful plan our Heavenly Father has for us, our life story might turn into a tragedy instead of a fairy tale.

I believe my life story is definitely a fairy tale.  All fairy tales have adventure, love, happiness, laughter, contention, evil, disappointment and heartache, but in the end good prevails.  I know that if I can conquer the villains in my story that my fairy tale will have a happy ending.  However, right now I'm just closing one amazing chapter in my life and starting on a new scary adventure.

This new chapter in my life is scary.  I am getting older, my kids won't stop getting older and life seems more complicated than it ever has before.  However, I know that I'm not the author.  I know that I am simply playing a part and I must trust in my Heavenly Father's plan for me.  Heavenly Father has never let me down before.  In previous chapters, I have felt loss, disappointment, sadness, sorrow, discouragement, but all of it has ultimately lead me to happiness. 

I am so happy.  My fairy tale life has been filled with so much adventure, love, peace and joy.  I know that once this chapter in my life concludes I will look back and see the many amazing things that have come from the challenges we face, but right now I'm just trying to have faith that Heavenly Father knows what is best for my story.  That's really all we can do each day.  Play our part, do our part, be our best and have faith in our Heavenly Father's Plan.

I don't really know where my life story is headed, but I'm excited to see what happens along the way!

Editor's Note:  No, I'm not pregnant, we're not moving, no job change, nothing drastic is going on in our lives and Tim and I are still madly in love.  I'm just referring to {and being dramatic about} all the little things in life.

little acts

"It is the aggregate of the acts which I perform through life that makes up the conduct that will be exhibited in the day of judgment, and when the books are opened, there will be the life which I have lived for me to look upon, and there also will be the acts of your lives for you to look upon. Do you not know that the building up of the kingdom of God...is to be done by little acts? You breathe one breath at a time; each moment is set apart to its act, and each act to its moment. It is the moments and the little acts that make the sum of the life of man. Let every second, minute, hour, and day we live be spent in doing that which we know to be right."

-President Brigham Young
(Journal of Discourses, 3:342-43)

Christmas 2008

Oh Christmas Tree!

Cooper's 1st Christmas.  I think he loves the new toy!

This is what Payton looked like after every present he opened.  Pretty excited!

Parker was also excited and a bit overwhelmed!

Check out Parker's new bat cave.  We love imaginext toys!

Cooper's finally ready to start enjoying the fun, but...

He was more interested in eating the paper than unwrapping the presents.

It was a "wicked" Christmas for me.  Tim surprised me (with some help from his  Dad) with Wicked tickets.  I was so surprised and so happy!  

Our Christmas was delayed until the snow plows made it up our street, but we finally got to my Grandparents to celebrate Christmas.

Parker, Grandma Patty and Payton

Sweetest moment of the day

Cowboy Payton

The Hulk Cowboy Parker

Cooper still just interested in eating the wrapping paper.

I made a tribute scrapbook for my Grandpa.  My family all wrote letters to my Grandpa and we compiled all of our pictures.  It turned out really neat.  I think he liked it!

Unwrapping Gifts at the Joneses.

Tim, Cooper and Brice

Payton, Tim and Krista at my parent's house.

Clint & Becca

Payton, Ashton & Parker

These ninja turtles sum up our Christmas pretty well, It was totally awesome, dude!

Christmas Eve

 

We had a pretty easy going Christmas Eve this year. Normally, we have a party with some of the Jones family friends, but they didn't have the party on Christmas Eve this year. So, we had our own party with Tim's Parents. We ate dinner and played a silly game that involved pushing people out of your way and a newspaper. It was a great way to get the boys wound up for Christmas!

After our little Jones party we went over to my grandparents for their traditional Christmas Eve spread. My Grandma always has lots of yummy appetizers and her homemade candy.  Can you tell by Tim's creepy face that we are having a great time?!  Weird!

My grandparents have had some extremely bad luck this past month.  Their beloved dog that they have had for years died earlier this month and the next day my Grandpa found out that he was dying of cancer.  Yes, extremely bad luck!  We bought my Grandma this puppy for Christmas hoping that it would help lift her spirits a little bit. 

The puppy loved licking the drool off of Cooper's face.  I guess this is officially Cooper's first french kiss!  

This holiday was bitter sweet for me.  My family spends so much of our Christmas with my grandparents and it was hard to imagine that this would be my last Christmas with my Grandpa.  I was even more grateful for family this year and treasured every moment we were able to spend together.  

elves

Tim's family has a tradition that we decided to do with our family. The tradition is that the twelve days before Christmas, you put your shoes outside of your bedroom door and Santa's Elves leave a little present for you. Like this:


The kids really love doing this. Thanks to Payton, so do a couple of his friends as well. Last year, he told his friend, Chase, that you leave your shoes outside your door and you get a present from the elves. That night Chase's Mom found him opening the front door and leaving his shoes outside. She asked him what he was doing and he explained what Payton had told him, which followed with a phone call to me to ask about this tradition. I clarified that you put your shoes outside of your bedroom door instead of the front door. I also gave her some Elf pointers. Needless to say, it is now one of their family traditions. This year Payton shared this tradition with his friend, Caleb. I'm sure you can guess how the rest of the story goes. Caleb's family is now enjoying this tradition also. Pretty funny!

The elves are always a nice threat to have during the holidays (just like Santa, but more immediate.) I am constantly saying, "If you are not good the elves won't leave you anything." One "rough day" (as Payton put it) I used this threat more than a dozen times. So, that night this is what the elves left in the boys shoes:

Tim was appalled. His Mom said this only happened one time while her kids were growing up. I guess the elves at our house are mean! However, this note did not have the intended effect. The boys didn't care. Payton thought it was funny. Parker didn't think twice about it. Although, I must say, we did have a much better day.