...and we're so excited. I really had thought it was a girl. Felt like it was a girl. Daydreamed that it was a girl. But I had no idea if that was my motherly intuition, or the novelty of having the opposite of what I had last time. Whatever it was, it was right. She is sweet and quite pretty in my humble opinion and we can't wait to have her as a part of our family! We are currently trying to teach Ryder the word "sister" and well, the actual concept of a little sister. She is doing great and growing strong and we couldn't be more thrilled.
YAY!
...and we're so excited. I really had thought it was a girl. Felt like it was a girl. Daydreamed that it was a girl. But I had no idea if that was my motherly intuition, or the novelty of having the opposite of what I had last time. Whatever it was, it was right. She is sweet and quite pretty in my humble opinion and we can't wait to have her as a part of our family! We are currently trying to teach Ryder the word "sister" and well, the actual concept of a little sister. She is doing great and growing strong and we couldn't be more thrilled.
CURIOUS?
So we get to find out this Wednesday whether we're having a boy or a girl. I'm so excited I can barely stand it. I feel this is my reward for making it half-way through my pregnancy. We get to pick out a name, we can start buying him/her fun little baby things and I have a better picture of what our newly structured little family will be like. Anyhow, I'd love to hear what you think: boy or girl?
TWO WEEKS NOTICE
I'm alive, I promise. One of these days I'm going to go back to happily blogging about nothing like my decorating preferences and the random going ons of this world as opposed to what we're actually up to.
These last couple of weeks have been CRAZY. We got our condo sucessfully turned over to our new tenant. I have forgotten how much hard work moving is. I hope I forget again, or else, I'll never do it again.
Right now we are currently stationed at Phil's parents who have graciously offered to house us AND our all our stuff for the next two weeks. However, our little Ryder is struggling a little bit with the transition. I don't blame the poor confused thing. It's like the terrible twos+transferring from crib to bed+feeling sleep is optional= a lot harder than I'm used to. I can't wait to get him settled with his own things and into a solid routine again. I'm hoping everything calms down a little after that.
Other than that Phil and I have also been spending the last two weeks meeting peeps who are part of the BYU MBA program from around here and trying to get everything figured out for what we still need to do for that, and that has been pretty fun. We're always impressed with the people we meet and even though it's going to be hard, it's nice to know we'll be in great company. So here's to our 'Two Weeks Notice' and to future blogs about nothing :)
GOOD-BYE JUNE
In all honesty, I'm a little relieved to see June go. It was a bittersweet month and I knew it was going to be. Thankfully, it all turned out on the sweet side, but it was a little stressful getting to that point. However, for its farewell, I'd like to show you one of the sweetest parts of the month...
Autumn came to visit me!!!
She came without her babes and Phil took some work off to watch Ryder, so we pretty much had an entire weekend to ourselves.
Her visit to the area pretty much consisted of fun visits, good conversation and lots and lots of yummy food.
We spent her first full day here at downtown Seattle shopping at the mall and grazing our famous Public Market. Making sure to give her the full effect we took the bus each way :) We also spent one day at Trophy Cupcakes where we were miraculously comped $20 worth of delicious cupcakes because their cash register broke. We followed up the day with dinner and a movie. Sorry, these are the only two photos I got. We're not that good at remembering to do things like take pictures.
I love my sister and I was so grateful she took the time & money to come visit me. Thanks, Autumn!
I love my sister and I was so grateful she took the time & money to come visit me. Thanks, Autumn!
IT'S A FEAST!
This daddy is a keeper
VACATION ADVENTURES
(I left my sunglasses on this ride :( )
Amid the stress, we still have a fabulous time at the beach. After a nice nap (for everyone) we went to look and Carly and Jordan's new house, which was very fun, and then stopped at In and Out for dinner. Which is good as everyone says it is. In an effort to avoid traffic we drove that night to our hotel in Anaheim.
The next morning (Disneyland Day), Ryder woke up with a 100 degree temperature, which was encouraging because his temperature always seemed the worst in the morning. Plus, he was as excited and lively as ever. But of course, fell asleep two minutes after entering the amusement park. I gave him his last dose of Tylenol around noon and he was pretty much good to go after that. I'll never know what went wrong, but it was pretty miraculous that he healed so fast and was able to enjoy the whole vacation. We were very blessed.
We had a great time in Disneyland. Ryder always looked rather nervous while on the rides but would get done and smile and yell "Yay!" and clap his hands. We think he had a pretty good time. Every time he went on a ride with just Phil, I would acted like an idiot and made a spectacle of myself trying to wave at him all the while getting a little teary eyed that A) my baby was old enough to ride rides and B) that he might fall off of one of them. I didn't need to ride rides with the emotional roller coaster I was on. Hehe.
We drove to Indio that night and stayed the rest of our vacation in the hot, hot sun at a very nice resort lounging about, getting tan, eating, and watching movies. A vacation, indeed.
DEAR GG FANS
If you are a Gilmore Girls fan and have participated in watching the reruns on ABC Family channel everyday at 2 p.m. then you know just as well as I do that it will stop at the end of the sixth season and start the next day with the pilot. If you're like me you don't know whether to be bothered or slightly relieved.
Anyhow, I'm sure many of you, much more normal than myself, probably watched the reruns only cycle through once. If that's the case you have no idea that this time around ABC obtained the rights to the 7th Season! So, come on! Join me in watching reruns of the worst Gilmore Girl season ever! And we can all enjoy remembering exactly why this particular season was SO bad.
Obviously, I'm not too picky when it comes to the Gilmore Girls, I'll take what I can get.
FUNKY MONKEY
Oh hey there. You thought I was gone, didn't you? Nope, just in a bit of a funk. But I hate being in a funk because it (or me) causes me to forgo things I love, such as blogging. And that is just unacceptable. Besides, even though some aspects of my life are a little tricky and a little stressful, I have to think the majority of it is pretty charmed. So goodbye funk.
Well, now that is left to do is update you on what I've been up to during my elusive absence (just kidding, it's not that elusive).
- We had Easter at one point (IOU photos)
- We had some nibbles--mind you, just nibbles--for renting out our condo
- None of the nibbles went though. Hence the term "nibble"
- I discover there are a lot of interesting people out there in the renting pool
- Had a couple gigs with the band (happy to report no photos of this, whew)
- There was mother's day. Yummy breakfast in bed, cute company and a family dinner
- Drought of any bites or nibbles or even sniffs for the rental
- Attempt to complete any school "to-do's" we have left for this fall
- We take a vacation to California & Disneyland, woot, woot! This deserves it's own post and photos to come later.
- We start seeing our own stress reflected back at us when friends and family ask us if we've rented our place out and we tell them 'no'
- We get a couple of "bites" (def. where they actually come look at the place). Nothing has yet followed through, but hope and optimism is the name of our game, so no worries. When we do actually rent out our place, I shall call it a "feast".
- I experiment with my new third column in my blog layout. After all the work I did to figure out how to make a third column, I found that the third column looked way to crowded along with not being an exciting enough person to have all that much information to put in a third column. Took it out and decided simple and clean is more my style.
- Oh, in my attempt to get out of my funk, I got whopping sick. Not so much severe as never ending. I've been living like an invalid this weekend trying to kick it. I refuse, absolutely refuse to be sick tomorrow.
- And that's that. Later Skater.
SOME RISKY BUSINESS
Man alive, I'm struggling in the blogging area lately! I've been a little overwhelmed with everything we've got to get done before we move, plus moving that I only have lame, to-do items on my mind and by-all-means not much I would consider blogworthy (which isn't a high standard to begin with).
But! I have been meaning to post this little video for a couple months. We got the idea when Ryder took a nap one Sunday in his white shirt and socks. I don't think it will make a Guitar Hero commercial anytime soon, but you get the picture.
*note Phil in the reflection of sliding door & ignore that annoying voice ahootin' and a hollerin'. I have no idea who she is.
SWEET, LITTLE DORRITT
So have any of you been catching the Masterpiece Theater of "Little Dorritt" by BBC? Sooo good. I crave each Sunday when one more of it's five parts is added to my DVR. Apparently, it was book first written by this author named Charles Dickens.
But seriously, if you're not into the BBC Masterpiece Classics, you should be. For the following reasons:
- I think they're aired on you local PBS station so they're easily accessible to every one.
- If you're like me and haven't read many classics, these movies are here to inform you of such famous plots and perhaps even interest you enough to read them...perhaps.
- They have great actors with great acting skills, like Matthew Macfayden or Colin Firth
- Granted some stories are better than others, but the good ones are really good.
- They have interesting little bios about the author at the beginning of each part given elusively by Laura Linney or Gillian Anderson. I like their elusivness.
DEAR OPRAH, UNCUT
Ya know, I don't really like to voice my strong opinions on my blog very often, but today is one of those times.
If you know me, you know I watch Oprah. If you know me really well, you know she has really gotten on my nerves lately and although I don't watch her show nearly as much as I use to, I am always threatening to give up her show completely. Well folks, it's time. After her show last Thursday I was pushed over the edge and my mom, sister and I vowed to never watch again. Let's just say I felt the same way watching the latter part of this show as I did watching her show on child p*rn*gr@phy. The only difference was that Oprah was in blatant support of the ideas mentioned in Thursday's show. So I'm done.
I felt strongly that is was only fair to let the Oprah Winfrey Show about this decision as well. Although, this letter probably won't get past the entry-level employee whose sole job is to filter fan mail, it is really all I can do to fight for what I believe to by right.
But I didn't want my hard work to go to waste, so here you go--my letter to Oprah, uncut.*
*The email slot to oprah.com only allotted me 2000 characters so some of it had to be cut. FYI, there are some adult terms used in this letter.
{Click to Enlarge}
FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT
*WARNING*
There is a gross amount of photos in this post, particularly of myself.
So back in January before Phil's little sister, Jaimie, left on her mission, we had a little family photo shoot....or a large one, rather. We hit a variety of poses with every family combo possible and ended up with a lot of great shots to choose from. But I believe my favorite part of the whole process was the photographer's insistence on each of us getting individual portrait shots. I found it a rather funny (see below). I mean, who wouldn't jump at the chance to feel like a senior in high school again?
Then it was my turn...
...and ended up feeling a tad bit like a fish out of water and for the life of me couldn't quit laughing.
But don't worry, guys. I warmed up.
I totally managed to pull it together in time to get my real estate agent shot and my album cover...
And of course, a little somethin' somethin' for Phil to frame and put by his bedside...
Grhhh!
Oh. And there were some other people there besides me. Here are my favorites from everyone together, followed by just our little family and of course, the true model of the hour, Ryder Roo.
THOUGHTS...SPIRITUAL ONES
So another General Conference weekend comes and goes. I have to admit I didn't partake of this conference, as much as I'd hoped. It was a combination of things that left me rather distracted, and due to no one's fault but my own, I was left unable to revel in those sweet words as much as I'm used to doing. I found the feast over and I only got a few bites.
One bite I found most delicious to the soul was Elder Holland's talk on the Jesus Christ and loneliness. I was riveted. Feeling so drawn and understood by the Savior, I also loved how he chronologically took us through the events leading up to His crucifixion. When Elder Holland bears his testimony, it awakens my own.
Another talk that struck a chord with me was Elder Hales' talk on living providently. But more specifically concentrating on things we don't really need. And how those things can become addictions and can prevent you from feelings the Spirit. Although I can think of a number of cute and clever responses to my husband asking me if I wanted him to buy me a fancy coat. I can't imagine myself ever saying "Where would I wear it?" and turning it down. Especially where he points out much of her time was spent with needy families. The part about this story that hit me was that she couldn't think to wear something in front of people that might warrant their envy. I mean I don't know if she even thought about it that deeply, but wow. I say wow, because that is SO the opposite of how I think!!! I mean I don't go around consciously deciding how I can make someone feel lesser than me, but I know their is a c
ertain level of trying to obtain the approval and, dare I say, the envy of others? I mean, I don't think its working, but that's beside the point. I know it's a simple concept. Yes, Jasmine we're not supposed to desire the envy of others...but if it just happens to come our way, well then, we can't help it we're that cool. Right? That's how I think a lot of us subconsciously look at it. It's a new concept to me to prevent it and another perspective as to why living modestly is important. Anyhow it made me think.
One bite I found most delicious to the soul was Elder Holland's talk on the Jesus Christ and loneliness. I was riveted. Feeling so drawn and understood by the Savior, I also loved how he chronologically took us through the events leading up to His crucifixion. When Elder Holland bears his testimony, it awakens my own.
Another talk that struck a chord with me was Elder Hales' talk on living providently. But more specifically concentrating on things we don't really need. And how those things can become addictions and can prevent you from feelings the Spirit. Although I can think of a number of cute and clever responses to my husband asking me if I wanted him to buy me a fancy coat. I can't imagine myself ever saying "Where would I wear it?" and turning it down. Especially where he points out much of her time was spent with needy families. The part about this story that hit me was that she couldn't think to wear something in front of people that might warrant their envy. I mean I don't know if she even thought about it that deeply, but wow. I say wow, because that is SO the opposite of how I think!!! I mean I don't go around consciously deciding how I can make someone feel lesser than me, but I know their is a c
ertain level of trying to obtain the approval and, dare I say, the envy of others? I mean, I don't think its working, but that's beside the point. I know it's a simple concept. Yes, Jasmine we're not supposed to desire the envy of others...but if it just happens to come our way, well then, we can't help it we're that cool. Right? That's how I think a lot of us subconsciously look at it. It's a new concept to me to prevent it and another perspective as to why living modestly is important. Anyhow it made me think.
SWEET SUITS
So I'm in the market and have been for the last year or two for a new swimsuit. I've put it off and put it off because, for some reason, trying on swim suits doesn't leave me looking in the mirror saying to myself, "dang, girl, you are fine!"
Plus, past experiences have proven tricky to find cute, modest swimsuits. However, a new day has dawned, ladies! In fact, I just don't know which to choose. Here are the stores I know of featuring some of my favorites. Let me know what you think...
Modbe
I actually liked their 2008 line better then this years, so I was a little disappointed, but who is to say you aren't going love some of their new designs?
Shade Clothing
These guys had a lot of great options with basic designs and colors. I'd like to show you a picture of my favorite, but I think it's sold out already. I hear they're going pretty fast.
Layers Clothing
This is my favorite! Their 2009 line is so fun! I can't decide, but for right now my favorites are:
How charming, with a little vintage design? Okay.
I love the print and colors. It also ties cool in the back and I think this would be funner to accessorize with.
Lime Ricki
And then today I came across these guys ! And kind of liked these here...
I love the color and pattern on this one. However, I don't know if it would be that flattering on my hot bod.
Look they made Audrey Hepburn a swimsuit! I like the classiness of this one.
This store also carries these boy shorts in black and brown. But beware, I voted for these babies when I was a cheerleader in high school in lieu of the traditional bumpkins and they ended up accentuating my thighs quite a bit more. But in theory and perhaps on someone other than me, they are a great option!
How charming, with a little vintage design? Okay.
I love the print and colors. It also ties cool in the back and I think this would be funner to accessorize with.
I love the color and pattern on this one. However, I don't know if it would be that flattering on my hot bod.
Look they made Audrey Hepburn a swimsuit! I like the classiness of this one.
This store also carries these boy shorts in black and brown. But beware, I voted for these babies when I was a cheerleader in high school in lieu of the traditional bumpkins and they ended up accentuating my thighs quite a bit more. But in theory and perhaps on someone other than me, they are a great option!
IT'S TIME
I don't know if you've noticed, but I haven't been posting as much as I usually do and when I ask myself why, I have a hard time coming up with a good reason. Well, after a little self-reflection, I know the answer! Procrastination. I've lost you, haven't I? Lets back the trolley train up a bit.
You see awhile back Phil and I made a 'to-do' list longer than my arm with all of the things we need to get done to move this summer and go back to school. Well, depending on the task, I marked it with a 'P' (Phil) or 'J' (me) for whom that task was designated. It just so happens the tasks,
- post rental ad on Craigslist
- create rental blog
~SIGH~ OF RELIEF
Just in case there is the smallest chance the Boogy Man is listening, I don't like to blabber around to the WWW when my man, my PRO-tect-OR, or in other words, the other half of this marriage delegated (by me) to sleep with a baseball bat under his side of the bed, is out of town. Which is why this post is after the fact and why I'm breathing a sigh of relief to HAVE HIM HOME AGAIN (I didn't want there to be any confusion).
Phil just happened to have a business trip that took him out of town for five day followed by a training the next week that took him out of town for 4 days. In defense of my independence, we managed just fine and I only had like one or two woe-is-me episodes :) But seriously, I believe people adapt to their situation and so were just got used to our daily routine without him. That sounds sad, but now that he's home, what used to be the norm, is now totally extra great and nice and allows me to do stuff like just sit here and blog while Phil feeds and bathes our babe. Not to mention we missed him like crazy. Truly, it's quite the spectacle around here--Ryder and I both vying for his attention...it's really not much of a competition. Anyhow, I wasn't really looking forward to these last couple of weeks, so I'm quite glad they're over.
In other news, we're also breathing a sigh of relief to finally have a plan for this fall. {drum roll please} We will be attending:
for the next two years while Phil completes his MBA program in Organization Behavior. Wahoo! In considering our options there were so many pros to this program that it moved quickly to the top of our list. Oh, and anyone who knows me knows I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited (ecstatic) to be moving closer to my family. It also goes without saying how sad we'll be to leave too...but, more on this later. Right now, it just feels so great to have a plan and know where we're going. So at this point, hopefully, everything goes according to plan :)
And there were are.
Phil just happened to have a business trip that took him out of town for five day followed by a training the next week that took him out of town for 4 days. In defense of my independence, we managed just fine and I only had like one or two woe-is-me episodes :) But seriously, I believe people adapt to their situation and so were just got used to our daily routine without him. That sounds sad, but now that he's home, what used to be the norm, is now totally extra great and nice and allows me to do stuff like just sit here and blog while Phil feeds and bathes our babe. Not to mention we missed him like crazy. Truly, it's quite the spectacle around here--Ryder and I both vying for his attention...it's really not much of a competition. Anyhow, I wasn't really looking forward to these last couple of weeks, so I'm quite glad they're over.
In other news, we're also breathing a sigh of relief to finally have a plan for this fall. {drum roll please} We will be attending:
BYU
Marriott School of Business
for the next two years while Phil completes his MBA program in Organization Behavior. Wahoo! In considering our options there were so many pros to this program that it moved quickly to the top of our list. Oh, and anyone who knows me knows I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited (ecstatic) to be moving closer to my family. It also goes without saying how sad we'll be to leave too...but, more on this later. Right now, it just feels so great to have a plan and know where we're going. So at this point, hopefully, everything goes according to plan :)
And there were are.
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR VISIT TO UTAH
Oh, hey you. Yeah...still here...
...with some more holiday photos! Booya!
Promise, that's all. Really.
Promise, that's all. Really.
OH, RYDER
{I bet you never thought of using your Caboodle like this}
ETSY PICK OF THE DAY
During Ryder's nap time today I was browsing Etsy.com and came across these cool, funky letters made from either copper or aluminum. I think I prefer the copper myself. Anyhow, I want to get an eclectic collection of significant letters and numbers (ie. P, J, S, R, '05 ) to mix into one of my main wall hangings one day. For only $20, this one might be a winner...
BEST MOLASSES COOKIE EVER!
It all started when I moved to Seattle and visited my first Starbucks. I never really had a need to visit Starbucks being the non-coffee drinker that I am. But you move to a place where there is one every 20 feet, and naturally you're bound to hit one for lunch every once in awhile. You become accustomed to their hot chocolate, caramel apple cider, steamed milk and other sans caffeinated beverages. They also have a decent spread of pastries and sandwiches and on this particular day, I waddled my pregnant self in and saw a brown molasses cookie the size of my head staring right back at me. What joy. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
Well, now I don't run into many opportunities to do lunch at SB anymore, being a stay at home mom 'n all, so a few weeks ago I googled Starbucks molasses cookies and viola! (how do you spell that?) Up came the recipe. Man, I love technology. And the best part is...they really taste like the real thing. Chewy on the inside, sugary crisp on the out...ahhh. Anyhow, I love it when you can make some favorite item from the restaurant right in the comfort of your own home and usually for a fraction of the cost.
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