Planning

Phil, trying to get some work done at his desk.

So Friday, we got the news that our newest addition in going to be a girl. I always consider the 18-week ultrasound to be my present for having almost made it half-way thru each pregnancy. Even though I really didn’t care whether it was a boy or a girl, I was so anxious to find out. These last 4 months have been very looong and there is something about reaching this point that makes it all quite real. Not to mention how fun it is to learn more about them, and to begin putting all the pieces together about this little person who you are so excited to get to know. With that said, I’m quite thrilled to finally know our little baby is a “lil’ guwl” (as Penny would say).

So now begins the planning. The sleeping arrangements, the sibling adjustments, the clothes, other necessary accessories and supplies and the name. Oh the name! Usually, I know by now. But this time around we’re finding it more difficult to find something we love and something we both agree on. 

Besides that, my other main concern is getting Ryder and Penny into one bedroom. Of course, such an occasion calls for someone’s room needing a makeover and I’m thinking since the nursery is already in girl mode--it might be fun to shine the attention on what will be Ryder AND Penny’s room. The plan of course, would be to make it a bit more gender neutral. 

I can look at Pinterest ideas until my eyes go blury, but when it comes down to finding stuff that will work within our budget and situation--I pretty much have to start from fresh. I started looking at bedding. I found these bright quilts (twin size) at Target for less than $30 a piece. 

Ryder already has a rug with these colors, but which two do I choose? Which one is a tad more feminine for Penelope?

I figure I’ll throw in some decorative pillows to unify the look and a couple of personalized accessories and call it good. I think this will provide those kiddos with something a little special without breaking the bank, not to mention if any sort of change in sharing rooms, moving or anything like that happens, I won’t feel bad only getting a couple of years use out of them, not to mention they are simple enough to use about twenty other ways. Have I convinced you yet, that I’m totally justified in doing a little shopping? Because I’ve totally convinced myself. 

Huh...I wonder what else can I convince myself that I need...

Top Thoughts

I've been thinking a lot lately. So much so, I don't even have time for anything else, like blogging. I also think it has to do with my low energy level. I find myself to tired to do too many productive things, so I feel as though I'll make up for it by thinking. May I share with you a summary of my top thoughts? Just as I wrote that, I just realize this might be embarrassing to admit I dwell on such insignificant things. Ahhh, owell.

• Oh baby. I sure think of that third little baby quite a bit. Right now, it's whether its a boy or a girl. I'm 18 weeks today and I get to find out this Friday. I'm so very excited. I also think about what it's going to be like with three. I also think how I need to get Penny potty-trained and transitioned into a bed all within the next 5 months. 

• Speaking of baby, I'm an old woman. Okay, not really, but man I feel like one. I was so very tempted to make this post all about how this pregnancy has been noticiably more difficult than my first two and how even though feel like I have the body of a 65-year-old, I have the complexion of a 16-year-old. You can thank me later for keeping my artificial complaints to a couple of sentances.

• Speaking of a 16-year-old's complexion--I think its time for some serious make-up. Ha! You thought I was going to say some serious facial cleanser. Nope. That's not very fun to think about at all...but nice make-up is! I'm looking specifically into a good foundation and eyeliner. Any suggestions or recommendations?

• Speaking of a good foundation, I've been thinking a lot about social medai/TV/screen time/Ipads/laptops/iphones/time issued to each one/ locations in which they're allowed {sigh}, whatever you want to call it, and what sort of ground rules we should be making now about these items.  Sadly, I know a lot of this stuff is taught by example, which essentially goes back to me (as I sit here on my computer while my babes watch Little Einsteins).  I feel very strongly that it's something I can no longer take the middle road on. I figure it's probably easier to make some tougher changes now than some potentially harder decisions later. What are your thoughts on all of this? Do you have some rules or guidlines you've made for your home that have worked well?

 

• Speaking of matters of the home, I miss my familia so bad it hurts sometimes. I feel so very blessed to be meeting some amazing people and making some invaluable friends, but I can't help thinking daily about when/if/how we'll ever live somewhere at the very least I could easily drive my family to my parents house within a few hours. I feel like extended family can be a huge asset in raising a family. However, I can't count how many times I've heard how good it is to be out in world, experiencing different things, growing closer together as your own family unit, making the church stronger in areas that need it. etc. What school of thought are you and why? I recently heard a father in our ward who had a son going on a mission expressing his gratitude for our ward family (and it's true, we've got a good one). He was saying how they weren't sure who to invite to attend the temple with them for their son's first session and he said, "I didn't know whether to ask our relatives or our real family." Is it too dang much to ask in this world that those two things are one in the same? I don't think so!

So there it is people--a deep (or not so deep) look into my dominant thoughts of late. 

4 Blessings

During these dreary, dull winter days, I find it helps to count my blessings... 

#1

 #2

#3

#4

Due to make an appearance in much sunnier and warmer weather...

(July 24 to be exact, and we couldn't be happier)

My Relationship with Bangs

Here's my girl with flat ironed (at a low temperature, mind you!) hair to show you how long it's getting :) 

Bangs are like bad boyfriends. Ya know, like bad-boy boyfriends. You see them hanging on some other girl and think to yourself how cool and edgy they look and how cooler and edger she even looks.

And so the crush begins. You're nievely unaware of the work involved and can only think of how you want them! Oh how much funner and more exciting your life will be with them!

You even make the mistake of telling your mom about your crush. You can hear her rolling her eyes over the phone. She sighs and tries to talk you out of it. Heaven knows she's seen this time and time again and knows it will only end badly.

But you ignore her! The rebellion has begun. The feeling seems to match your impending commitment. You dive in, boldly making the first move. Surprised by your own brashness you find yourself with this new dude (do).

And everything is how you dreamed it would be...for like two weeks.

It starts gradually. You may not even be able to put your finger on it--all you know is that they're acting weird. They're just not behaving like they have in the past. You finally decide to give them a good talking to (trim). And things are better--but again--only for like a couple of weeks. And before you know it you're involved in this uber clingy, high maintenence relationship that you did not sign up for.

And in the end, you finally decide it would be best for everyone involved to let them go. Knowing you'll be facing a long road of ugly twists, bumps and (bobby) pins along the way in an effort to hide the pain and regret you must deal with in order to grow strong enough to heal and find your inner-you once more.

I've got about 3 to 4 inches to go, myself. But who's counting?

~Sigh~

Happy Twenty-Twelve!

Penny playing at the Children Museum in Everett, WA.  I didn't think this horrible shot would turn into a nice outlook on the upcoming year.

After a five minute discussion with my mother, we've officially decided, we'll be calling this year "twenty-twelve" as opposed to "two-thousand, twelve". It rolls off the tongue a little easier, wouldn't you say?

I am happy to announce we made it safely back to our humble abode....seven bags later...and are quite content to be sitting in a crazy mess of unpacked clothes and toys and piles of Christmas decor waiting to be boxed up. Now, that the stress of getting all the toys home is over, we're all enjoying the hours of new entertainment. And to my surprise, Phil was able to work from home Wednesday and Thursday, allowing me to ease quite slowly back into reality. I'm very grateful I have been thrown a softball of a week, because according to my schedule next week we hit the ground running again. 

With all the time on my hands these last couple of weeks I couldn't help but think--a lot--about all sorts of things. Many of which ranged from happy and hopeful to sad and nastolgic. Of course, I had a very enjoyable time, but there is always the subtle sting of missing my family I didn't get to see during the holidays. That in addition to the shockingly long flight it takes to get to anywhere in the West (have I mentioned how long our flight was yet?) only reminded me as much as a glowing neon sign two feet in front of my face how difficultly far away we are from our loved ones. All of this wasn't making me all to excited to go back to NJ. Not to mention two pretty great friends of mine ironically moved away right before the holidays. This pretty much summed up my thoughts for the first week.

Sweet Jamie and Sharla who are all moved away now (sniff, sniff). I'm so grateful for them!

The second week came the more hopeful and excited feelings that only a new year can bring. New goals and projects came to mind as well as all of the exciting things we know this year has in store for us. I began missing friends and even my church calling (a break is always nice;) and so I started looking forward to getting home to our little house and getting 2012 underway! 

And so with my mixed emotions, I bring you, not really a list of new year's resolutions, but a list of new year's hopes. Things to look forward to (small and silly things) mixed in with a few goals here and there. Which the more I think about it are one in the same.

I even made 12 items for 2012. Clever, eh? I certainly wasn't doing to do 2,012 things...

1. Buy a cute new dayplanner. (I actually did that this morning--so, check!)

2. Start new goal to memorize scripture mastery scriptures. I don't know about you, but I didn't do this very well in seminary.

3. I've been participating in a very relaxed scripture reading schedule (Conference Ensign here, Book of Mormon there). I would like to start a more dedicated plan for reading of the Book of Mormon this year. This is always one of the quickest ways for me to get a happy outlook on life.

4. As for the excercising portion, my friend Ashli posted this and since I have a pedometer just lying around, I thought I'd give it a try:
"On a practical note- Buy a pedometer.  Did you know that the recommended number of steps one should take each day just for health is 10,000?!?  For weight loss more like 12,000 or more.  I recently started wearing a pedometer and I love it.  It automatically makes me want to move more, take the stairs, and park further away from the store.  I sometimes feel like I don't ever sit down in the day and yet my little pedometer was only reading anywhere from 4,000-6,000 steps a day.  If I go to the gym and even just walk a few miles I very easily get my 10,000+ steps in, sometimes just even in the hour workout. "
I started doing this a couple of days ago, and I'm here to tell ya, there is some room for improvement!

5. Purchase some fresh new tunes to listen to.

6. I'm almost finished reading, "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt" per my mom's suggestion. It is SO delightful. I think I'll be asking for some more suggestions for a good read. Do you have any?

7. I asked and recieved an Adobe Illustrator how-to book. It's designed so that each chapter is a lesson, so I'm excited to start tackling that.

8. Look for and try a couple of new recipes. Maybe even some healthy ones.

9. Get my winter TV shows lined up. So far I'm plan on watching "Once Upon a Time" (this might be my favorite), "Castle" (oh wait, no this is my favorite), "New Girl" (are we all liking it as much as we thought we would? I am), Survivor (when it starts in February) and probably American Idol because I know Phil will be watching that one. Is that too much?

Speaking of TV, I really have a hankering for some BBC Masterpiece Classics. Now, I looked on there schedule disappointed to only see something called Downton Abbey (second season). I mentioned my concerns on this subject to my mom, who not only watched the entire first season, but loved it. Did she care to tell me about it? No. Who else out there was enjoying this withoug telling me? Tell me, I dare ya. However, after doing my own research I discovered that you can watch past episodes online and it that is has to be up to the usual caliber of other classics because it's hosted by Laura Linney.

10. Try extra hard to stay withing allotted budgets.

11. Pick a fun and doable craft project.

12. Blog more! Blogging always becomes the 'reward' for when I get everything else done. So naturally, it never gets done. But I like it, so I think I'll try to make it more of a priority.

Happy New Year from the Seaside!

We spent the last day of the year roaming the beaches by Magnolia, WA. This particular beach had a historic lighthouse that was quite beautiful.

 We ate a lunch and played by the beach, while we waited for others to hike up. (We drove :)

 In the grass :)

Throwing sticks...

 Hands in pockets (it was cold!)...

 ....at sunset. Holding hands.

Definitely, not a bad way to end a very blessed year.

A Story

So the other night we all went tubing. At a place that looked like a super-enlarged verson of the ride, "The Slides" at the county fair.

Fun was had by all.

Some may have thought it was bliss.

I mean who doesn't like sliding around in a big, inflated, rubber tube?

And for some pulled around the rest of the time.

A definite thumbs-up good time.

Holy Smokes!

I'm not sure if you noticed, or not, but a whole month has passed by and Christmas is in like two days! Eeek! It's tricky being a parent during Christmas. I'm still struggling to find how to make it magical for the kiddos while teaching them the true meaning, and I can't help getting a smidge overwhelmed and stressed out by this task. And before I know it, I turn around, Christmas is here once more! It's funny how it does that.  Here are a few things we've been up to:

 -Our ward Christmas party, bunco party, and sadly, a good-bye party for some good friends of ours. (They're dropping like flies, I tell ya!)

-Got everyone their flu shot

-Had a Facetime date with Nana & Pompa to open presents from them.

-Visited 'ol NYC for Phil's work party, which included a Santa visit and a stop at Rockafeller Center to see the tree.

-Took a SEVEN hour flight from NJ to Seattle (who woulda thought it was that long) for some Christmas and family fun. We're (perhaps foolishly) doing presents here. I had mostly everything shipped here in advance. I'll let you know how it goes....{nervous laugh}

- Finally, we had a beautiful, delightful little girl turn two years-old right before our very eyes. Oh we love our Penelope.

  Oh. nooow I can see why this month went by so fast.

Happy Thanksgiving

As this Thanksgiving comes to a close I can't sit here without expressing my gratitude for these little turkeys:

Oh, and this handsome guy:

They make my world make sense and they bring me immeasurable amounts of joy.


Today was officially our first Thanksgiving with just "us". I even made a mini-fied turkey dinner (it was great for some much needed practice) and after we ate, we went to the matinee, Happy Feet 2 (a beloved little tradish from my childhood) and finished the day off with a bang by eating pie with friends at our Stake President's home. It turned out to be a very nice holiday indeed.

I hope all of you had an Happy Thanksgiving as well! Tomorrow the Christmas comes out. Hurray!

Twenty D's!

It's only been within the last year that I've taken an interest in TLC's 19 & Counting about the Duggar family. It was actually during our summer in Manhattan when at church in Sunday school, our teacher brought them up as an example to illustrate a point in her lesson (I'm a little fuzzy on the point, huh). Anyhow, the two examples I remember she brought up in her lesson were:

•  During one episode their family was participating in some sort of water recreation and for their swimwear they all wear board shorts to the knee and the rashguard shirts. 
• When they're together out and about, if one of the boys (maybe girls too, I dunno) notice something inappropriate, they have a code word that they say. When they hear this code word all of the boys know to put their head down and make an effort to avoid looking at whatever it was.

Sometimes I feel that we as Latter-day Saints we are the only ones out there who have such standards, in this case with modesty, chastity and pornography. So you can see I was rather impressed with this family who not only takes our same Christian values seriously, but takes them to an even higher standard. I find it both impressive and refreshing. 

Unfortunately, we went back to no-cable land and I haven't thought too much about them since. But then I saw this little headline come across my people feed on my google homepage (did I just say that?): "Duggars are Pregnant with 20th Baby". How can anyone read that and not let out a gasp or two? TWENTY KIDS!?! They must be crazy. So probably along with the majority of America, I was drawn back to their website. After reading about their story and watching a few clips, I must admit the jury is still out on Jim Bob and I think they should make a special episode for Michelle to get a new hair do (pretty sure she won't though because I'm guessing that's how Jim Bob likes it). However, at the same time, I can't help but like them. And here is the real kicker: their kids ALL OF THEM seem to be good, happy and well-behaved. I find the whole thing fascinating.

So as you can imagine, they're taking a lot of criticism. However, those who do support the Duggars make a strong point. They do way better at parenting twenty children then most people do with two. The Today Show brought on a couple of experts this morning to address why the backlash? And one of the reasons, which surprised me, was jealously or perhaps disbelief that how can these parents do so well with 20 (well, 19) children, when most of us, LDS or not, are trying to keep our heads above water with 2-5? Especially with our belief in the importance of families and having children. 

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but taking a good hard look at my own life as a mother. 

I don’t think it’s so much me comparing myself to Michelle Duggar (way too many jokes to insert here that I couldn’t pick just one), but I do think there is somethings to be learned here. I mean, I’m sitting here as Ryder watches Little Einsteins (still in my pajamas) wondering how I’m going to finish the items on my to-do list and entertain my kiddos for the rest of the afternoon/evening, and when that blessed bedtime hour rolls around, I’ll breath a sigh of relief and feel completely entitled for some much needed me time, usually spent on the couch looking at some sort of screen. Bottom line: Michelle, you make me look like a pansy. 

Dang you Duggars! (I just really wanted to say that).

I think the biggest thing I take from the Duggars is their perspective on the family. I guess I feel their actions are far more reflective of their beliefs than mine are. Which makes me sad. And makes me understand why people are eager to put them down. (Ya know, so we can feel better about ourselves).

Don’t worry, I’m not about to go tell Phil I think we should have 20 kids and home school all of them, BUT I do think I have room to improve. Especially, with how sometimes my actions (run along and play or watch TV) and attitudes (is it bedtime yet?) don't reflect what I truly believe about motherhood and families (there is nothing in this world more important). 

I don’t mean to sound hard on myself, but I think it’s one of those times I can probably work on being better. So that’s what I’ll try to do. 

The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). 1 However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children. 

--Julie Beck, General Relief Society President

Update!

Dear Family & Friends,

I don't want to alarm or shock anyone, but I think I just might send out Christmas cards this year.

However, my address book is a sad story and needs some serious updating. If you would like to receive a Christmas card from yours truly (because I'd love for you to have one), please send me your address through a Facebook message or just email me at jasmine{dot}shorten{at}gmail{dot}com. Thanks!

Yay for Christmas cheer!

Thankful

I don't know if you noticed, but we had the luxury of having not one, but two special visits in October. Here you saw when my parents came to see us and then just last week we had Phil's parents and his little sister, Jaimie, in town. We couldn't have had a more funner October if we tried.

Although I don't think I would've forgotten, this past month did remind me how grateful Phil and I are for our families. We are both so blessed to have have loving, wonderful parents, which also equals loving, wonderful and doting grandparents for our children.

Not to mention the amazing aunts, uncles and cousins we are so blessed to have as well. One of the biggest blessings this life has to offer, I believe. So today I'd like to highlight how grateful I am for family.

Thankful

In the spirit of kicking off the month of November and everything Thanksgiving,  I thought I'd try to post a few things this month that I am grateful for.

Right now, I have to say it people...it's POWER! Not the sort of dictator-ish power in which I just made that sound, but the power that supplies me the juice to provide you these words right now. The power that lights up my darkest of hallways. The power that allows me to nuke my children's quesadillas. That sort of power.

I can't help but look around and not only feel so grateful that we were one of the few not to lose it, but to also remember what it was like to lose power (and even just for 18 hours) during the hurricane a few weeks ago.

And gee, while I'm add it, let's throw in a good word for water too. In fact, water, is harder to live without than power. (I hear it's kinda necessary for survival or something).

I am so very, very grateful for these modern conveniences that provide me a life of comfort, ease and the ability to check my Facebook page.

Happy turkey month everyone!

Halloween 2011

Let it be remembered that on October 31, 2011, Halloween was cancelled.  (Gasp/shutter/quite wimper) Thanks to what they're calling yet another natural "disaster" over in in the tri-state area the majority of citizens are without power. The ridiculously early snow storm that apparently rained down flakes of iron caused multiple branches to break off the surrounding trees simiply resulting in a mess of power lines.

Thankfully, we're one of the few (three houses in our ward) that I know of that still have power. Which has been extra nice because we have Phil's parents and sister in town and 55 degree weather and cold showers doesn't really spell hospitality.

But how does Halloween get cancelled? Your town cancels any sort Halloween fesitivites until this coming Saturday and tells you there's no trick or treating until then either. On the plus side, Phil got to stay home from work today because the train lines weren't running. So we did pizza and painted pumpkins...and I think we're gonna call it good.

(Frankly, I'm a little disappointed this whole thing has been delayed. I was quite looking forward to moving on to Thanksgiving and Christmas. So even thought we might go trick or treating Friday (they did get in our ward Halloween party and trunk or treat a couple weeks ago), the Thanksgiving decor and Christmas music come out tomorrow and nobody is stopping me!)

He Delivered

My wonderful dad sent me the photos of their visit last week so now I can document our fun.  Aside from the general hanging out, catching up, showing them around town, we took one day to visit Liberty and Ellis Islands. And because seeing the city from a distance just really didn't do it for them, we took another day to go into the city. Although I think we cummulitavely walked a marathon, we were able to cover Times Square, 34th St (Empire State Building and shopping) and made our way south to the financial district to check out where Phil works and to visit the 9/11 memorial.

 Penny and Mom waiting to board the ferry! It was very rainy when we got there and later lightened up a bit. My mom had purchased a poncho at that little stand behind her. Sadly, her wearing it was something I never got to see.

 Penny and I waving 'hi!' to daddy!

 Ryder ridin' the ferry with Nana.

 We made it! To Ellis Island Immigration Island --not Migration...like you might thing from the photo. That's a whole other island entirely.  (we had to hurry, it was a hot spot for photo taking).

I can't help but looking at us all together in this photo and thinking how happy were the number or our ancestors who came through this same point. I LOVE THE U.S.A.!

 Ryder and I finding out way to the potty while inside the museum. This building was very beautiful. I would love to go back someday minus kids so I can take some more time reading and looking at everything. It totally put my mom and I in the mood to brush up on some good historical fictions  from this era. Know any good ones?

 Move over Lady Liberty! There some other LAY-DEES comin to the island today!

 I'm quite convinced my mom totally showed me up with her poses... I am not surprised.

 My handsome Daddio

 Times Square! Someone's excited!

 A little lunch here. Very fun. Nice people and very cool things to see. 

 Awwwhhh....love them

Still in Times Square...and still excited! 

Can you see the city just doesn't have the same effect on Phil anymore. The magic has just worn off for him ;)

 The magic and excitement may have worn off a smidge for all of us at this point after we discoverd we had to walk FORevA to get to the entrance of the memorial.

 We think it was worth it though.

In front of the memorial. Grateful we got to visit almost exactly 10 years later.

The Freedom Tower.

We still had a long way to walk back to catch the PATH to get home. The shortest route there was through a couple of buildings (thankfully). The final stretch was probably an uncovered 30 yards. Of course, there just happened to be a monsoon-like downpour when we poked out for the final haul. I have never been in a rain storm like that. And that's saying something here. Every man for himself! I was pushing Ryder. Phil had Penny (he bolted). My parents....all I can say is that once I was in the station I turned around and through my smeared make-up and sprinkled glasses I saw in the distance a blurry view of my mom bent over wiping her make-up off on my dad's shirt tails. This along with the hysteria only a downpour can cause made my mom and I laugh all the way from NYC to Hoboken. ~Sigh~ Still laughing about it now. 

So fun, that week was. So fun. 

Mom and Dad, I'm already planning our adventures for next time!