GOOD JOKE

So yesterday, my friend Shauna, informs me that her brother was at the Apple Store and saw who he thought was my dad. Not quite sure, he inconspicuously took some photos with his phone and sent them to Shauna to see if it really was him. It was. And now I'm in possession of two random photos of my father browsing a Mac in an Apple Store. Cool huh. Seriously, imagine a loved one, who lives far away, sending you photos or yourself checking out something at the mall. CRAZY. I've been laughing to myself about the whole thing since. Anyhow, back to the joke. So of course, I can't wait to confuse the socks of my dad. So this morning I emailed the PC loyalist this: Mission accomplished. I love my dad.

PRIMARY PROGRAM: CHECK

I don't believe I've mentioned this before, but I'm our ward's primary chorister. I know this calling isn't that big of a deal to some (most) women, but I've never thought of myself as primary chorister material so often find myself out of my comfort zone. Well, today was our primary program... and the music portion went pretty well, if I do say so myself. I mean my shirt was drenched with sweat and I felt like I wanted to sleep or a week afterward, but hey, no problem. AND considering at the practice a week before I kept forgetting to "raise" and "lower" (you primary graduates know what I'm talking about) my cute little choir and at one point reacted to my forgetfulness by cursing "oh cr@p" in the chapel to 30 young impressionable minds (I knew I had done something really wrong when I heard the wee gasps of nine-year-old girls and a few teachers put their hands to their mouths) I think I've come along way. Thankfully, I am part of an amazing primary including great leaders who've always got my back (during cussing spurts and bouts of forgetfulness) and, of course, 30-something beautiful children, to whom I owe any success. Whew. Our theme was "I Am a Child of God". So obviously, our year was focused on teaching the children that very fact. So simple, yet the crucial piece of knowledge that's missing in the solution to some of the world's most complex and troubled issues. I think even some of us who have grown up hearing "I Am a Child of God" their whole lives still struggle with understanding its importance. I think its sometimes really hard for us a humans to realize and accept our huge potential. That we're divine. That we're loved beyond our understanding. That someone is always there blessing us, rooting for us, and molding us to be our possible best self. That can be a hard thing for us to wrap our head around sometimes. But it's true, dang it! (oh no, there I go again.)

HOLIDAY TUNES

I need some help. Some of my happiest memories of elementary school reside in the multipurpose room of North Park Elementary where every holiday season we'd gather to sing songs. And not just Christmas mind you. We sang Thanksgiving songs and, yes, even Halloween songs. And for the life of me I can' remember them!!! I want more than anything to have fun Halloween songs to sing to Peanut and my memory is failing me? I do remember one:

Have you seen the Ghost of John, Long white bones and the rest all goooone. Oooo. oooo-oooo-ooo-oooo, Wouldn't it be chilly with no skiiiin ooon. {sing in a round--very catchy}

And I do recall something about three little witches and something regarding turkeys for Thanksgiving. Even if you don't remember do you have any good sources for some classic children Halloween/Thanksgiving songs? (I've got Christmas covered). I would really appreciate it :)

SESAME STREET HUMOR

So when Peanut gets a little cranky or bored, we pull out the big guns. The Sesame Street music videos. He loves to just sit on our lap and dance and clap to these surprisingly entertaining music videos. The one I linked you to below makes me laugh every time. The Feist "Counting to Four" video is also a favorite. So go ahead and watch. Everyone needs a little sesame street every now and again. Preschool Musical So very funny.

CHANGE

Oh how I love General Conference. Especially October Conference...the chill in the air, the smell of my Spiced Pumpkin candle, cute friends who surprised us with delicious pecan cinnamon rolls. So great. I usually like to do a rundown of my favorite talks and mention briefly my thoughts from each one. However, this time around there was one talk that really struck a chord with me. Don't get me wrong. I can't wait to drink many great words of wisdom, encouragement and motivation again from that November Ensign, but for now, I want to focus on one in particular: President, Thomas S. Monson's talk on Change. The main message of this talk, to me, was about living in the moment and accepting change. There have been a lot of things going on lately that have made me think about this. This is a concept I understand and that I strive for, but have a hard time living. A very 'easier said, than done' thing for me. I feel like the majority of my life, I've lived for the next moment. And although I think that's more understandable while growing up, I feel that the regret you'll feel for not living in the moment, grows exponentially as you enter the adult phases of life, such as marriage and parenthood, just like how your joy grows exponentially in those phases for choosing to "find the joy in the journey, now." I also have a hard time with change. I'm a planner and I'm a worrier and those two things don't mix well with change, let alone with unexpected change. I think the reason this talk resonated with me so much is because it offered me the perspective of the effects living this principal can have. Not only will my regret go down and my joy increase, but I will be more able to accept unexpected change when the occasion calls for it, and that's a great comfort to me. I also loved how President Monson pointed out that living now goes "hand in hand with gratitude". How can you not be grateful for your blessings when you are taking the time to embrace and live each one? All of the pettiness, envy, grudge holding goes away because you no longer have the space for it. I think the Savior was really good at living in the moment. He got what life was all about. I think when you figure that out, you know you only have time to love. President Monson also focuses about how it's our choice: "It's our conscious choice what secret garden we will tend...Not to focus on what is missing but are grateful for the abundance that is present: love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature and personal pursuits that bring us happiness...the waste land of the illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth."

I BLEED BLUE

So as we're sitting here watching BYU cream Utah State. No worries my USU friends, there's still a quarter left. Anyhow, during the commercials they played this little promo clip or donations pitch, if you will, for BYU and...well, let's just say through my tears, I almost gave Bronco everything in our savings account. Almost. Very inspirational. If you bleed blue like myself, take a look see: Check out BYU Football Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall in this new film, 'With Honor.' It can be viewed at http://bronco.byu.edu

THE OTHER BLOG

Introducing...again: Putter Wall! You may have visited Putter Wall before or you haven't visited Putter Wall at all, either way come give us a call! www.putterwall.blogspot.com And if that clever poem isn't enough, to kick everything off we're going to have a drawing for one of our very own and very cute "feeble attempts at domesticity"

GOODBYE SUMMER

So while I hear people lamenting over Summer's end, I usually just keep my mouth shut when truly I want to yell, "See ya, Summer! Welcome, Autumn!" I love Fall with a passion. I love it's the season that ushers in school and the holidays, I love wearing cute sweaters and turtlenecks, I love hot coaco and cozying up in blankets, I love the colors, I LOVE IT ALL! However that's not to say we didn't go out of Summer with a bang! Here is end of summer/September recap: (I'm trying to get better and do a group of digi scrapbook pages for each month...we'll see :)

{click on pages to enlarge}

WORRIED

Are any of you as worried about the current economic state of our country as I am? I don't know about all of you, but we're feeling it. Mostly because we know we want to sell our home within the coming year. I'll spare you the details, but it does make me concerned as to what decisions are being made in Washington. Will pumping $7oo bagaillion dollars really help? Or will it just hurt us more in the long run? I think there is really something to be said about everyone learning their lesson, but I'm greedy and I want our, my, needs met right now. I do think something needs to be done. I don't know about a $7oo billion something, but perhaps a plan that prevents all of main street from hitting rock bottom. Anyhow, so much to be said. Crazy world.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR....AGAIN

I don't know if you read my first encounter with froggy season, but it's that time of year again. I was abruptly reminded of this when the other morning I ran the garbage disposal (which is a frightening business within itself) and right when I flipped the switch, something in the opposite drain flew up. I jumped thinking it was a piece of lettuce or something, but didn't scream until I realized it was a bite-sized froggy. I quickly hopped him into a plastic cup and hopped him right out the door. And well, let's just say, I found froggy from last year....

(He has a little lint on him...seriously though...where did he come from?)

In all honesty I don't think this was Mr. Froggy from last year. At least, I hope not because I don't know why he would just appear on my kitchen floor like that. I suspected he liked the coolness of the fridge. Anyhow, if it was Mr. Froggy from last year...well, I think that's a little creepy.

I NEED TO STOP WATCHING OPRAH

In just this last week I've managed to convince myself Peanut was dry drowning at least once, that Suze Orman yelled at me for reasons I still remain unsure about and that I'm beginning to like Jenny Mcarthy and Jim Carrey???

NEW ADDRESS

Dear Invitees... I'm going unprivate...or in other word's I'm "open it up!" But before I do so I'm changing my blog address to: Don't go there yet because there isn't anything there. I'll make the switch over next Friday, September 26. But make sure you change the link you have for me now to my new one up there before then. Does that sound good? I hope so. Also, I've seen other bloggers do this and I think it's a good idea. Every member of their family is given a nickname and thereafter ask people not to use their reall names. So blog roll goes as follows: Me: Jazzy Ryder: Peanut (it goes way back) Phil: Mr. Man

The Protect Our Children Act

I just wrote my senator!!! Why? I'm glad you asked. To request the pass senate Bill 1738--the Protect Our Children Act. I don't know if you watched Oprah yesterday, but within the first 5 minutes of the show I was sobbing. I was overwhelmed and disgusted with the wickedness of this world. I could only watch a few minutes before having to turn it off. I thought to myself, "what can I do?" The only thing that came was to make my home a light. A refuge. So when my kids learn and see what I see, they know there is safety and peace that exists too and teach them to pass it on. I did watch the rest and fortunately found out there is something else I can do and you can to. Write your senator. Seriously, it took me 2 minutes. Super easy. Here is the link all ready for you along with a pre-written letter, if you choose to use it. If passed this bill will:

• Authorize over $320 million over the next five years in desperately needed funding for law enforcement to investigate child exploitation.
• Mandate that child rescue be a top priority for law enforcement receiving federal funding.
• Allocate funds for high-tech computer software that can track down Internet predators.

Here is the link to yesterday's show if you want to find out more. So thanks Oprah, for bringing this up. Now, if you could only make the connection between this and many other of the things you support, or choose to ignore because its not popular, we'll really be getting somewhere. P.S. I don't know if this worth mentioning and it's been something I've been guilty of in the past...let's just say I'm never, EVER putting any sort of slightly n@k3d photos of my children, no matter how cute or how young, on the Internet ever again.

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow!

Congratulations, Tyler Jay!!! Way to go! Woo! Woo! You're Amazing! Yahooo! Oh, yes. My brother found out today that he passed a little test called the Bar. I am oozing pride. He just graduated this last spring from Law School in Syracuse with his Juris Doctorate and passed the Idaho State Bar Exam on his first shot. Kapow brotha!!!

Let's Discuss

So before I post about our last week's happenings, I've been having some thoughts...

• I feel like I'm in a funk. I went home for a visit and it was FANTASTIC and it was just what I needed, but I get home and I'm having such a hard time putting my new motivations into actions. I'm so easily swayed, lately, into not being my best and I don't like myself like that.
• I have just caught myself up on all the NieNie news and that whole story is another inspiration that is causing reflection.
• I feel like a very boring mom. I don't think Ryder saw the sun the whole day yesterday and today is shaping up to be not much different. I think a visit to the park is desperately needed. Any other ideas out there to keep a curious one-year old occupied are more then welcome.
• We are trying to figure out how and when to sell our condo. This stresses me out greatly. The economy is so bad and I'm not blind! I see things around me not selling! If you know anyone who wants to buy a very loved 2 bed 1 bath condo please tell them to give me a call. Or any advice in the real estate area? Again, give me a call.
• I'm thinking of going "un-private". Can you do that? Is that against the blogging rules? I hate to be blunt, but private is boring. I will fully admit one of my favorite aspects about blogging is the dialogue the oppotunity to meet a friend of a friend's sister's cousin's friend. All that diminishes and I'm left with people like my sister who tell me that they just never think to check my blog anymore (when your private, you're not eligible for Google Reader, Blogroll or any other feed reader options). Or maybe I'm the one that's boring now...Oh no!! That's it isn't it!?!!....shoot.

Ryder's Birthday Party

These last couple of weeks have sped by as we have been up to so many things...some of which have been stressful, others fun. Where I've had a rather difficult time getting out of vacation mode, I'm now going to finally start putting together some accounts of what we've been up to. First, off: Ryder's Birthday Party! A huge hit. He enjoyed the company, loved opening his presents...although difficult to get him to move from one to the other :) and had a hay day with the cake (video below). When people ask me how old he is now, I love saying, "he's one". A whole year! No more of this silly month business.

Eating Chocolate Cake...

Thanks Nana and Pompa!

Hey Mom and Dad, Here's a little somethin' to show you how much Ryder loves his new birthday present! Really. He LOVES it.

Talent

With all this Olympic craze going on, it has made me think a lot about people's talents. I look at these amazing athletes and can't help but think that if they were born into any other circumstance than they were privileged to, they may not have discovered they were crazy talented in a given area. For example, what if Michael Phelps never encountered the coach who discovered his potential or for that matter, never had the opportunity to take swimming lessons? They showed feature stories on him over and over about how his abnormally long torsoed/short-legged/long fingered body making him as close to a fish as one can humanly get. This makes me wonder if every individual in this world could be a gold medalist at something. Whether its building skyscrapers or playing the violin, I think every person, if given the opportunity to discover it, and the mentors, and the education and the money, could be spectacular at something. Obviously, that's not realistic because on one had you have those who lack opportunity, or are lazy and on the other hand you believe in balance and wouldn't be happy pursuing perfection just because you could. So with that said, these thoughts have offered me the following...thoughts that are a bit more applicable to me.

• Share your talents. Obviously, it's a commandment for a reason. I believe Heavenly Father wants us to find joy in what we love and become good at it. I think it's an aspect of humanity that will come into play big time in the eternities.
• As a mother, I hope I can provide opportunities for my children to find talents they love.
• Is it to late for me to become a gold medalist at something? Seriously. The athletic route is out, but all my life I've been a dabbler. I dabble here, I dabble there...Jack of all trades--master of nothing. But lately my secret desire has been to become Amy Butler or Heather Bailey. Stop laughing. It encompasses everything I love and I could maybe make money at it one day (on a much smaller scale...I'm thinking like Etsy.com is all) Anyhow, is it too late for me (considering I got my first sewing machine at Christmas)?

As for the 2008 Olympic round-up: I hate to admit it, but I'm a little relieved to see the Olympics come to an end. Ya know, all things in moderation...too much of a good thing. Don't get me wrong I love watching them, but toward the end the staying up late, the ups and downs, scores, competition...it's starting to get repetative, plus I feel like the best stuff is over. I'm not really in to the teams sports that are finishing up right now (soccer, softball, basketball, etc) so I'm ready for that closing ceremony. I was a little annoyed by how we knew everything before we actually saw it...but my favorite things to watch were...

• Michael. He puts on a good show.
• Nastia taking all around gold.
• USA men's gymnastics team taking silver.
• Misty and Kerri. I love them.

Family Photo Session...Yes, we actually had one

I know, can you believe it? These are our first official family photos! Notice the coordinating outfits and everything! And finally, finally, we got some photos of our little guy. His official one-year old photos! I didn't have them done right when he was born, but I figure better late then never. My plan is to do his once a year and who knows how often we'll do a full-fledge family photo shoot...I'm so bad at these types of things. Anyhow, their random placement is because they files were to big to download so this was the quickest and easiest way for now for me to get them online for my mom to view :) So here you go mom! These are all our favorites. I'll show you the rest when I see you. If you click on a group of pictures it will make them bigger so you can see them better.

The Whole Family

Just Ryder

Ryder and Me...and Phil

Happy Birthday Ryder!!!

Ryder turned one today!!! We celebrated his birthday yesterday with Phil's family and I think it was a success. He seemed to enjoy himself quite a bit. I'll post photos from the birthday festivities later. Part of me can't believe he is already a year old. While I'm very happy he's a healthy, energetic baby boy, a little bit of my heart breaks to see him growing so fast. Oh how I love him. He brings Phil and I such joy and I can't imagine life without him. Here is a little look back on his first year...

Oh we love you little boy!!!

Baby Face

So lately, I've gotten enough comments about my age, that the randomness of them aren't becoming random anymore. I'm beginning to think I really look a teenybopper.

• The first one was in the airport in February. I went to go grab a treat for the plane ride and the lady was shocked I had a baby and in her Indian accent mumbled something about how she thought I was 14. I had recently gotten my haircut, so I blamed it on that.
• The other time was sometime in June when my friend Elizabeth and I were eating lunch at a restaurant in Tacoma and some lady came by and was cooing at our babes and was baffled that one was actually mine. She clocked me at 16. I was wearing a hat, so I blamed it on that.
• Finally, I was in Home Depot yesterday buying spray paint and a woman asked to see my ID. More surprised by the fact you had to be at least 21 to buy spray paint than the lady asking to see my ID, I easily handed it over and assumed this was normal protocol. She then sat their taking a long look at my driver's license and after seeing birthday did the calculation in her head and slowly said, "...sooo that would make your 24?" Mumbled something about people looking younger than they are, apologized and told me to enjoy it while it lasts. I wasn't wearing any make-up, so I blamed it on that.

Keep in mind for every single one of these instances, Ryder has been with me. I'm beginning to wonder whether or not I should take it as a compliment that people still think I look like a teenager (a troubled teenager for that matter). Hmm..or a I guess I should just enjoy it while it lasts. In other news...

• I cried for Alicia the other night. Not because she messed up, because I felt so bad she felt so bad. I later heard Shawn and Nastia stepped outside the bounds too. That made me feel better, but for some reason my DVR cut that part off.
• I'm wondering whether or not to leave both my boys for a quick trip to Utah. Leaving Ryder makes me nervous.
• Speaking of which he's up, so I gots to go!

Beijing 2008 !!!

Da, da, DA, DA, DA, DA...(Olympic theme music playing in background) Are you ready for the Olympics!!! Woo hoo! I'm so excited. I've been watching the Today Show coverage and Phil and I have been good about watching all the trials, so we are up to date on Team U.S.A. along with all the heart felt stories and athletes that make me smile. Here are a few I'll be looking out for: Women Gymnastics: Shawn Johnson, Nastia Lukin, & Alicia Sacramone. Of course, this is the sport I've followed the most. I love that Shawn just seems to get pure joy out of it all. You never feel as though someone locked her in a gym, stripped her of her childhood and made her eat, drink and sleep gymnastics and even if they did, she would be as happy as a clam. I believe that Nastia is the gymnast who I get the most joy out of watching. Her unusually long, extended lims make everything she does exquisite. I also love Alicia. She is kind of the 'if at first you don't succeed' story and I think she is cute and funny. Everytime she gets on camera she makes me laugh and I love that she doesen't take thinks too seriously. Women Weight Lifting: what? I know. But local, Melanie Roach, a mother of three including one autistic boy, is who I'll have my eye on. I sound like I'm writing a news story. Apparently, she was doing awesome but gave it all up for ten years to be a mom and now she's back at it and predicted to do really well. Back to you, Matt. Swimming: Of course, Michael Phelps (what is with the stash he's sporting?). I think he'll do pretty good. And there are a couple of girls I'll be watching, although I can't remember their names. (side note: you know people who know everything about sports, name, stats, it's really quite impressive...I'm not one of those people.) And finally, I have to say something about the medals. They did a cover story on them this morning and they are B-E-A-Utiful!!! The Chinese wanted to add a little somethin' somethin' of their own to the design so they all have an embedded ring of jade in them. The bronze has dark green jade, the silver has light green jade and the gold has white jade, which, of course, is the most rare. I want to buy one for whatever multiple amounts of grand they are worth and wear it as jewelry. Yeah, so for any of you athletes that care about fashion-this is the year you really want to win one of those puppies. (If you get second...its okay because you may have, indeed, won the prettiest medal...) If you haven't been in the loop, hopefully, this post gets you jazzed and updated for the Olympics. Opening Ceremony tomorrow night: Friday, 8-8-08! (Check you local listing for times :)

Retainer

Oh, my retainer. Oh, my teal retainer with silver glitter and stars that I still put in my mouth every night after I brush my teeth. You have been with me a good number of years now and what a vital piece of plastic and metal you are to me in my life.

I know it's pretty common for people my age, who have had braces, to still own their retainer. However, the difference between me and them is that most people just need it every once in awhile and can go for long periods of time without wearing it, particularly for occasions where not having to worry about your retainer would be helpful...like camping. Not me though--I'm like a 13-year-old--if I go more than two nights without wearing my retainer I can feel my teeth move and can barely get the thing back on. Why is this? I don't know. I blame it on my wisdom teeth that still currently reside in my mouth.

This isn't a big deal, but it is annoying. For example, the times you go camping and you wake up take it out and look at those handy little side pockets of the tent and think, oh that looks like a convenient place to put your retainer...only to pack up go home, realize you don't have it and then, have to call your in-laws to ask them to search the tent they let you use to see if you can find their daughter-in-law's retainer. Hmmm...you think think this would make me embarrassed, but what I was most concerned about was if I had lost it forever. What would I do!?! I'd have to go to the orthodontist, that doctor guy who I haven't been to in over 10 years, and get fitted for a new one? Then, the fear that by the time that happened my teeth had gone every which way? Awful, awful. Luckily, this didn't happen and they did find it. Whew!

I tell ya, I hadn't had an experience like that since I was in 8th grade and I went and dumped my lunch tray in the garbage can and my retainer was still on it. I have to say calling my in-laws was far less humiliating than searching through the trash for a very aforementioned reason in front of my fellow adolescent peers.

Success!

We had a successful first camping trip with Ryder. He slept through each night, except for getting up at 6 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. for the day. But, hey, that's fine with me! We also discovered a few tricks for handling the heat...LOTS of sunblock and letting the little dude take his naps in this stroller with a fan propped up on his cup holder (we had electricity, thankfully). Most of the action happened on the river and in the pool, so here are some photos. Thanks everyone for the advice, the pack and play truly is the ticket!

Me skiing on one! Not to be confused getting up on one, however. I still have to kick one off and I still don't dare get in the water without a wet suit. Brrrhhh!!!

Ryder driving the boat...in a rather carefree manner :)

Ryder with dad tubing for the first time (at about 5 mph!) Isn't he adorable in his bite-sized life-jacket...he hated it, unfortunately. But he loved the tubing!

Ryder taking his morning nap on the boat.

Ryder in his floaty Speedo suit in the pool with Phil and Grandma. This was the first time he could actually get IN the water (the river was too cold). He was a little apprehensive at first but thoroughly enjoyed counting to three and jumping of the edge (while being held, of course!)

A Few Firsts

• We're taking Ryder camping for the first time this weekend. Wish us luck! I've very nervous about how he'll sleep in a tent and if he'll get too hot. If you have any good 'camping-with-baby tips' please let me know.
• First time going private on my blog. I don't know if I like it. I feel like no body is out there. Hellloooo!!! [echo] [[echo]].
• Ryder took his first steps a few weeks ago. We have a walker! I didn't know he'd progress this fast from a couple steps to clearing whole rooms. He walks with his hands in the air with a slight yell. Phil calls it his E.T. walk. The cutenosity level is off the charts.
  
• I'm in the process of sewing my first apron. Yikes! I'll let you know how it goes.
• This whole last week Ryder has slept every night (8 p.m. - 7 a.m.) with out a peep. We're hoping the consistency means it's here to stay!
• I had another 'first' I was going to mention, but now I can't remember?? Owell, wouldn't be the first time! (mwah, mwah)
  

Sweater

I just got back from Target where a female stranger asked me where I got my very favorite, 6-year-old, button-less sweater (keeping them all on was too hard to maintain so I took them all off). After I told her it was like 5 years old, she told me how cute she thought it was. How nice was that. I wanted to kiss her. Don't worry, I didn't. Anyhow, it's just nice to know my favorite, old ratty sweater is still hip and happenin', that's all.

Jasmine: The flower

I saw and smelled one for the first time the other day. I'm sure I've done both of those things before without realizing it, but my in-laws had one in their yard and pointed it out to me. The blossoms are much smaller than I had originally envisioned, probably because the pictures I saw were of the blossoms only. Anyhow, I've always wondered and now I know. My flower is quite beautiful, if I do say so myself.

Private and Pics

Hey all, as promised I'm posting photos from our vacation below. Before I do however, just in case you didn't read my post about my exciting vacation adventures, you probably didn't see at the end I was thinking about changing my status to 'Private'. This is still the case, SO if you want access to my blog please jot down your email address or send it to me at: jasmine[dot]shorten[at]gmail[dot]com

This makes me tad sad because I'm giving up the whole exciting mystery aspect of blogging. Ya know--who is going to find your blog? Or who already has but is just to chicken to comment on it? (Luckily, it doesn't take away from who's blog can I find but I'm too chicken to comment it, so just because I'm doing it doesn't mean you need to, okey dokey :) This is one of the funner parts about blogging to me, but my reasoning (mainly safety issues) is important too. However, with that said, don't be shy and send those emails people! Because if you like my blog (or me for that matter), I like you :)

Now for photos:

Ryder bathing at Grandma's. He's a little excited he's getting away with breaking the rules (standing in the bathtub).

Fouth of July family photo. Arent' the matching boys so cute!? (I did that).

Ryder and me at Bar J Wranglers. That good lookin' woman on the left is my mom. Woo, woo!

View of Jenny Lake from our boat

A little worse for the wear--me in front of a water fall

This is the best. Ryder fell asleep on our hike--sideways. Phil had to walk 2 miles with his elbow out to support his head. What a good dad.

Ryder swinging in front of our hotel. That kid just kept talking to us and to sum him up, you just have to read his T-shirt, "I'd so rather be playing video games."

The last and final photo ever taken by our retired (broken) camera: my foot and Phil's knees...ah memories.

va-CAY-tion

So after youth conference, Phil, Ryder and I headed out the very next day to Utah. We tried out driving through the night in hopes Ryder would sleep most of the time and unfortunately worked like a gem so we decided to drive though the night on the way home as well. We got home early yesterday morning and think we're almost recovered from our week-o-fun. We arrived at my parents house last Monday and did some shoppin' and chillin' for the first couple of days we were there. Thursday we took off to Jackson Hole for the 4th of July weekend. I have been to Jackson a number of times on family vacations and hadn't been there for years. It was the first time Phil had ever visited the area so I was excited to say the least. Thursday we went to Jenny's Lake first, took the boat across and hiked back. It was beautiful and Ryder fell asleep sideways in his backpack on the way back, so cute. That evening we took it easy browsing shops and getting ice cream. Friday the boys went whitewater rafting while the babes and ladies went to the parade. After the men got home we switched and the girls went to lunch and did some more shopping. That night we went to the Bar J Wranglers dinner and show (very fun). Saturday we went to breakfast and headed home. This was my family's first attempt at a vacation all together (except for my brother and his family, who were greatly missed) with babies and toddlers and it came of as a success! Thanks mom and dad for putting it all together! It was so fun for me to visit that area again. I love, love, love it there. I'm definitely more of a mountain girl. Hopefully, we'll get to do it all again sooner than later. (More photos will come soon...our camera broke while we were there (sad) but here are a few I was able to copy from the website of the rafting trip).

This isn't the best photo, but you get the idea. Phil is the second one back on the left. My dad is behind him and Bro-in-law, Sean, is second one back on the right (this was right before he got thrown in :)

Here is the best one of Phil, but you can't see my dad or Sean :(

Now we're safely back home trying to get back to our routine. I feel like I've been out of my life here for weeks, so getting back into the swing of things will be nice. I have to write a post about Ryder and all of the cute things he has been doing. He does something new every day. And finally, I plan on making my blog private here in the next couple of weeks so get ready to send me your emails! That is all.

Done, Done & Done

Youth conference is officially done. {insert huge tired sigh here} Yeah, Phil and I were co-chairs in planning this year's Renton Stake Youth Conference with our new and very dear friends, Laura and Ben Jex (head-chairs). I haven't mentioned any of this on my blog before because there would be just WAY too much to talk about that I didn't find the point in even starting. It's also the reason I've dropped off the blogging world for the last little while. I almost feel like I've been on a different planet for that last week eating, sleeping, drinking youth conference and only talking to people involved in it. If you didn't know the answer to who was doing what, how many fliers we needed or who was going to speak when, I'm sorry, but you were of no use to me (kidding, KIDDING). I seriously think this is the most work I've ever put into any particular project in my entire life. Even more so than my capstone project in college. It's funny though, because I just kept telling myself by this time (Saturday evening) it will be all be over, as if the actual conference was tossed in the same category as the preparation, but I must say the last couple of days have been a rewarding and joyful experience and totally worth the hours of hard work that went into this. I know this probably doesn't interest many, but since so much of me and people I've grown very fond of have thrown everything they've had into this in the last few days, weeks, months I have to share some of my thoughts...

• Holy cow!!! Have I learned A LOT! A lot about leading, a lot about following, a lot about doing, a lot about delagating, a lot about working with others and team work, a lot about teenagers, a lot about making a gajillion hand outs and a whole lot about how Heavenly Father has his hand in these types of activities organized for the youth of the Church.
• Our stake has amazing youth. I'm sad we only got to work with them for such a short amount of time.
• I have had the opportunity to learn from and watch our wonderful stake leaders who were there the whole time helping us the whole time.
• I loved learning from the youth.
• I loved meeting so many youth from our stake.
• Our service project was such a success and I couldn't be more relieved that it was (and that it's over) I'm very grateful for a very on-the-ball service project specialist, who made my job easy.
• I'm so excited to pay more attention to my baby boy (he feels like he's been just an accessory for the last couple of days)
• I am so grateful for LauraJex :) I really feel blessed to have worked so easily with someone on something like this. We jived...and that's all I can say and I'm grateful for a new friend. We're not quite sure what we're going to do with ourselves now that we don't have to talk to each other a dozen times a day.
• And last but not least, I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father making this youth conference a smashing success. I'd be here all night if I got into all the ways we saw His hand in everything (teachers, schedule, location). I feel bad because I never had the opportunity to bear my testimony to the youth. I think they just thought I was that sister running around all the time telling them what to do and where to go. But if I had, had the opportunity I would have told them that I love my Savior and I know this Church is true. Without a shadow of a doubt, I know it's true. They are a light to the world and that it doesn't stop at finding their testimony and sharing it. It is when you do that you really start growing and becoming that person Heavenly Father wants you to be and you will never know the affect that will have on those searching for truth. That's what I would've said. There is a strong force and power within the youth of this church in these latter-days.

I DID IT!!!

I ran my first race! And not just any race, a 12k (as in a 7.5 mile 12k). No, I wasn't the fastest one, in fact, I wasn't very fast at all, but besides a quick potty break, I ran the whole way. Again, I believe running up some of those wicked hills I saw people walking faster than me, but I did it. As for my final time it was 1:26:12. Now, you may look at that and think. Huh, that's kinda slow. But I look at that and think "Wow, I can run for an hour and a half? How cool is that?" Here are a couple of pictures of Elizabeth and me (my dear friend who I would have never been able to do this without). Oh and a photo of my free shirt, that I've been proudly wearing for the last five days. Ha, just kidding (...kind of :)

BEFORE

AFTER

(Sorry for the edit. My pesky midriff snuck its way into the photo)

THE SHIRT

A Little Poem...

So I've never been into poetry much. I wish I were, because I think people who can recite poems from memory are cool. However, there are a few that have a profound effect on me. So when I like a poem, its usually because I love the poem. Well, I heard one today that I think has fallen into this category. I heard it while I was folding clothes and watching the movie "In Her Shoes", of all places. You know those moments where you look at or think of someone you love and you feel like you heart is going to burst because you're so overwhelmed by your love for that person? Sorry, I keep using the word love, but that's kind of my point. There are no synonyms for love and therefore that tiny little word is rarely enough to describe its monumental meaning. Well, I thought this poem came very close to describing those moments of love that you thought you'd never find the words for. And that's why I like it.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

--e. e. cummings

Lazy Day

I'm having a lazy day. I don't want to do anything productive today. Well...it depends on your definition of productive. Because something fun like reading, trying a new recipe or rearranging the furniture in my bedroom (again) sound like something I want to do today. Getting ready, cleaning my house, making signs for Youth Conference and figuring out drivers for our primary activity on Saturday does not sound so fun to me right now. (I'm sure it will in a couple of hours, but just not right now). So right now, Ryder and I are still in our pajamas discovering the glorious world of Seasame Street and Elmo (apparently, he LOVES Elmo, I've never seen him so interested in the TV until Elmo was on it). Anyhow, I really am in the mood for something creative, so if you have any great ideas, let me know. I did plant a tree this morning. So I'm not THAT lazy. We named it Ryder.