30th Years calls for a Celebration

This sign was up for the whole week, letting everyone know Josh turned the big three zero. Since his birthday fell on a Wednesday, he had school until 9:00pm so when he got home I just did a small candle light dinner on our deck outside in a little fort made out of blankets. Then he blew his candles out of his homemade ice-cream, brownie cake that I made from scratch. It was yummy. His birthday celebration with our friends was on Saturday. Erin and I spent all day making treats for the party. I blind folded Josh and than we all surprised him at Abby Park. Thanks to everyone who showed and made Josh's day that much more special. Josh and Kyle posing, rubbing it in that Josh is getting old. This was my master piece and not only did it look awesom, but it taste just as good as it looked. Since Josh is still a boy at heart, we had all the kids have a few swings before the birthday boy got a swing at it with his son...... Then he beat the crap out of it, and the candy went everywhere and so did the kids. Josh had some of his good buddies show up from church, highschool, the mission, etc.

LOOK CLOSELY....... Now that is just wrong...... These were the cutest girls that showed up (lol). And of course the best looking guys....... (with long noses and funky teeth that is). HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE, WE SURE LOVE YOU and you are the best looking 30 year old I know. The last day of celebration was on Sunday. We all went over to his moms house and had a great dinner and cake of course. Josh is definalty loved by so many friends and especially family.

Meeting the cousins

Talmage and James met for the first time. We believe they will be buddies for life. (Completely the opposite in looks.) He also met his cute cousin Isabella, aka Izzy or Bella. She loved playing and holding James.Lilli met James too. She can't wait until Talmage can communicate like James can. Lils is a great help, you just gotta watch her because she thinks she big enough to pick him up and do what ever she pleases. Lilli was so excited to feed James real food, she was pretty good at getting the food in the mouth and all over his face. It was great seeing James with his cousins, he loves being around little people like him. He can stay busy for hours with them. I love how interactive he is with others and I can already tell that he is going to be our little socializer and friend to so many. All the kids fell asleep on Joshy, it was so cute. Josh's latest activity has been paint balling with his friend Jeff and the whole crew. Dad went with him while they were visiting for the weekend. They both came back with huge welts, but they said it was all worth it. Josh gets the biggest adrenalin rush while he is out there, he loves it. He want me to come with them, I think I might, but it is kindof scary going with him, who is so competative and I will definalty bruise like crazy. We will see... After church with the mothers, grandma and grandkids. What a fun little bunch. I love it when we are all together, we always have the best time together. James loves his grandpa and grandpa love him. We went to a park close by and just watched all the kids play. Thanks for visiting and I will see you soon again. Its pretty crazy the difference between 4 months. They grow so fast. James and Talmage both slept in the nursery. Talmage slept in the crib, while James slept in the swing. It worked out pretty good but Stacy and I take our turns waking up to see who's baby was crying. Oh, the joys that come with being a mother.

Another great year teaching, came and gone...

Graduates of 2009 I just finished teaching my 2nd year of 3rd grade. I had such a great time teaching these amazing individuals who I grew to love so much. Each of them have so much to offer and I am so proud of them and all their successes and hard work that they put into my class. Having to go back half time was actually quite nice as it allowed me to get up in the morning early and to start my day and be with James for the rest of the time. It really worked perfectly. I have learned so much from this group of kids. They have tought me patience, kindness, love and how to be a better teacher. It was an honor being their teacher and having Mr. Hartman as my team teacher. We worked so well together and I love that both of us loved the children the same and put in our best self while teaching. I know our students will do amazing things and be the leaders we tought them to be. Congratulations on graduating 3rd grade. I will miss you, but will remember you. The last week of school I gave each student a stuffed animal to remember me by and to use it as a way to receive a hug from me. Everyday I would get hugs from almost all the students and everyday I reminded them how much I loved them and cared for them. I call them my kids, just because I want the best for them and love them too.

The last day of school, after my 3rd grade graduation the teachers had a lunch-in with all the staff and got a little gift. It was Hawaian day too. These are the amazing people I work with at Liberty Academy. I feel so blessed to be part of such an amazing group of teachers and individuals. Second year being an educator and still loving the kids, curriculum and teaching at Liberty Academy Charter School.

Happy 30th Birthday to my #1 MAN

At the age of 30 I am sure the question always asked is- What have I accomplished? Well I am here to tell you that my husband has accomplished more than needed, in the eternal aspect of what matters in life. Josh is a man of definate accomplishment and growth. Through thick and thin, Josh has always been a man of honesty, love for life and people, deep dedication to the Lord and the prophets, a true, loving, unselfish, insipiring and dedicated husband who I know loves me. Josh is someone that everyone loves to be around, he is always making others feel better about themselves and is always making others smile in some sort of way,children and kids know that Josh loves them by the way he treats them and spends that extra time with them. His relationships with friends and family are incredible as he would do anything for them at anytime. He has made me laugh every single day of our marriage, and I am so happy for that because I have learned from him how to be more positive and to enjoy each day as it comes. He has made me a better person. Josh is the best father James could ever ask for, James is spoiled with how much time daddy spends with him and how daddy would rather spend time with his little boy than anyone else, dad is proud to be his daddy.All in all, I could keep on going, but if you know Josh you probebly already know how accomplished and loved he is at age 30. These are the important accomplishments that matter to me in our life, as for him going to school and working hard I am so proud of him. Over the many years he has had businesses, jobs, money, etc and I am proud of him and he has gone through to get to where we are today. I would not trade anything in our life for where we are and who we have become today. Thank you baby for taking care of our family, loving us, being their for us every single day, sticking through the thick and thin and for looking so dang fine at age 30 years old. I LOVE YOU and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my #1 man in my life.

Mother's Day

It was my first Mother's day. Once a mother, always a mother. How my day went: James woke me up at 7:00 Sunday morning, I didn't get to sleep in because he was so eager to spend time with me and let me know how much he loved me. I fed him, then I did hand and foot prints in black paint for his 6 months mark. Got ready in a hurry and was off to 8:30 church. I wish I could say we were on time, yet we weren't. Then I was able to go to Relief Society, since the Young Womens were all teaching for the teachers of primary as a gift to them. It was really nice, to be surrounded by women and to get that spiritual uplift that was definatly needed. My friend, Erin, tought and it was so great and inspiring. The greatest thing I learned was that we are all going through some type of trial, and that we must lean on God during hard times, because he is the only one who will help us feel at peace and let us know that "this too will pass". When we went home daddy and James gave me a sweet, thoughtful card and Josh listed 100 reasons why he loved me. I loved it, I was quite surpised at all the effort of thoughtfulness that went into his list. The first ten went as follows.. 1. You love God 2. You love James 3. You love me 4. You love kids 5. You love my family 6. You love the scriptures 7. You love making people feel good 8. You love to cook 9. You love to be outside 10. You love to laugh The list made me feel so special and that all that I do spend my life doing and all that I am is worth it. Thanks hunny for your sweet words. I love you!!He also gave me red roses- my favorite. Then I spent time with my little guy, and then went over to Josh's families house for a picnic at a park. It was so great, being around the people I love. We had a great time eating, visiting, playing with the kids in the park and just hanging out. These are the beautiful women I shared Mother's day with. James went in a swing for the first time, he loved it- he just smiled and laughed the whole time. His cousin, Molly, supported him the whole time. There are so many great mom's out there and I am so happy to be a mother now to James and all my other children waiting to come down and join our family. There is nothing better then being a mother and a wife to these two amazing boys.

To the most amazing Mothers in the world,

First off I just wanted to say that I have the greatest mothers. Through the thick and the thin I have learned that mothers will always be there for us know matter what the situation is. We are blessed to have 2 mothers who are our mom, grandma, nana and friend. We love you more than words can say. Thanks for loving us back and for keeping us so close. Mothers are Blessings Mom, you're an amazing mother, So gentle, yet so strong. The many ways you show your love Always make me feel I belong. You're patient when I'm foolish; You give guidance when I ask; It seems you can do most anything; You're the master of every task. You're a dependable source of comfort; You're my cushion when I fall. You help in times of trouble; You support me when I call. I love you more than you know; You have all of my love. Mothers are true blessings, You came from our Heavenly Father above! We'll love you for forever. Happy Mother's Day, Joshy, Shanny and Jamesy

James at 6 months

Today marks the half way mark to one years old. I can not beieve it, time is just going by way to fast and I am so amazed at how big my little son is. No longer is he my little infant, but he is my little boy. Growing from 5 months to 6 months has been the time that I have seen the biggest changes and his development abilities. James is doing big boy things now. He learned how to sit up all by himself. There was about a week where we were holding his back for support, but he grasped it so quickly. He sat up very steady and with no help at all about a week before he turned 6 months he was sitting. I am so proud of him. While he sits, he loves to grab anything around him in his sight and puts it directly in his mouth. I think he is teething. I can not feel the teeth coming through, but he seems to love to chomp on anything he can get his hands on. Moreover, he is holding his bottle on his own. He is so funny when he does it because he will put it in his mouth then pull it out, fuss abit , then repeat it again and again. Yet when he is really hungry he drinks it up so fast. I have no doubt that he will eat like a Nielson, he already has a great appetite. I have been feeding him rice cereal, oatmeal and stage 1 baby food. His favorites are the fruit and of course mashed up bananas. Sometimes I am not fast enough at feeding him and he will fuss until I get it in his mouth. He barely gives me enough time to scoop another spoonful of food. He is not a picky eater at all. He will eat anything, and he is always grabding and staring at what mommy is eating. Slow down tiger... At his 6 month doctors appointment he measured the following: Weight: 16 lbs 15 oz @50% Lenght: 27 1/2 in @ 90 % YAAA! Head: 44 cm @ 65% Josh and I were all excited about his height. We really want him to be tall. Since we are both pretty tall, he has good chances. He rolls over quite abit and seems to enjoy doing it especially when we are not looking. It has scared me a few times when he's in the crib because of the railings around it. He is a total mover and doesn't sit still too often. He pivits while laying on his stomach. Our big guy is a little babbler and loves to baby talk. It is so much fun having a conversation with him. His tones change and he laughs like crazy when he gets tickled.Sometimes I think he says certain words, but they are just mummbles, but he is saying vowel consonant combinations. He wrestles with daddy and continues to do his balancing act and superman stance. Daddy is always showing him off. James sleeps pretty good through the night, yet for a few weeks he got back into the habit of waking up at 2 or 4 a.m to eat. Mommy and daddy took turns feeding, yet mommy was always up at 6 or 7 to feed him no matter what before she had to go to work. He is still drinking quite abit, like 6-8 oz per meal. I am finding it a little harder to produce as much because life sometimes gets so busy that I forget to pump every three hours. James has become even funner in the tub as he kicks his little legs, smiles and loves to feel the water on his boby and doesn't care if water goes on his face. I know he is going to love swimming, I can't wait to take him this summer. He is picking up toys, papers or anything that is around him. He really likes paper as it makes a lot of noise and he places it right in his mouth and loves the sound of tearing. He is so much fun to watch because he is so intense as he always make manly grunts when placing anything in that mouth of his. James now notices when things are taken away and will sometimes cry. Our little cutie is so good with people. He will go to anyone and I just love that. He loves children as small as him or a little older. I think he feels like they are more his age and can relate with their size. I think he is going to keep his blue eye color. I think his eyes are one of his strongest features. They are such a dark deep bluish, greyish color and they are so stunning and beautiful. James you make my life so exciting and worth while, thanks for being so wonderful and for being our dream baby.

Take me out to the ball game..... mommy

For Young Womens, Cassie and I took the girls to the UVU verses Utah baseball game. It was freezing cold and our little guys were so good at their first baseball game. James had wide eyes just checking out the whole game, he seemed to be quite intersted as he just faced forward and watched the game the majority of the time. We had to bundle them up to keep them warm. Who would of thought that the sunny morning could turn into a cold night?

Wow dad, I thought you would have been the first one to take your little guy to a baseball game. I even had him picking up balls yesterday, he loved it when I rolled them into his lap. Maybe momma will be teaching sports to him..... ya right, that's what daddy is looking the most forward to.

Bounce Baby Boy Bounce...

I love our ward

We feel so blessed to have so many awesome, fun, entertaining and special friends in our ward. As of the last year, we have just loved it I just love that there are so many other families around our same age and doing the same things we are. We went to a god bye party for one of our favorite families that we see almost once a week. We are so sad to see them leave. It has been so great living a block away from them and just calling over and playing games, eating and just jabbing. Josh has really loved the boy time he has watching sports with Asa and I have really enjoyed talking mommy talk with Laurie. We will miss them so much, but we will just have to visit and spend weekends with eachother instead. Thanks for being so great and for your friendship. The guys started a huge four square game and we had fun just hanging in the backyard, watching the kids, eating some good grub and just talking. James and Caden are buds. Caden always gives Josh and I big hugs and he loves James.

Girls night out

We had a fun birthday party for Stacey (she's an awesome friend that lives a block away). It was our ladies night out, I love just hanging with the girls and talking about girl stuff. We went to PF Changs, then had cake, ice cream and watched a good girl's flick- Bride Wars. I want to have more of these with you girls.It was so much fun!