Realizations

Over the last week I was talking to one of my wonderful friends. She made a comment I have not been able to forget and continue to return to it. She is a person who knew me when I first got married. She was a neighbour in our 8-plex. The first time I remember really talking to her was when she brought over a welcome gift. We didn't become friends and I always wondered why. She moved away, and moved back to the neighbourhood at the beginning of this year. We became good friends as we started a playgroup together and found we both had an interest in sewing. Some time this past week I made a comment that I have struggled with building relationships in our ward. Her response was, "Well. the first time I met you, you acted as if you didn't want to be friends or needed friends." This comment took me back a bit. I was actually shocked. Devan and I were newly weds. Maybe I did have the aurora that I had a husband so I didn't need girlfriends. I can tell you know, I pray that I still don't have that attitude about me. Friends are have become my life savers. They have helped keep my sanity. And I am always looking for more relationships to build.

There was awhile, and I suppose still do, wonder how to rid that aurora about me if I still have it. Is it because I have a low self-esteem? Too prideful? Too independent? The last 2 1/2yrs have been rough. Devan and I have gone through tons of learning experiences. I have been humbled tremendesley. I hope I don't make anyone else feel like I don't need friends or want them. I also realize there will be people who don't like me, and I kow I won't enjoy everyone's company as well. Life is a lot more difficult and rewarding then I ever imagined.

Sewing

I am so excited about the material I found this weekend that I want to post it. Then maybe someone can give me an idea as to what I could make with the snow man material.

So this is the snowman material. The store has almost an entire bolt (sp?) of it still. The employee told me that people didn't like it because it wasn't Christmasy enough.  I LOVE it and am tempted to get more of it if I can find a project to make with it. If not, I will make a pillow.

This is my Halloween material. The top one I think will be the background for my banner, and then the pumpkin I am going to cut out in the shape of a pumpkin and applique it on to the top material. Now I need to find material for a witche's hat, and a ghost. Sewing is so much fun!!

These are the shorts I made for Freddy for the 4th of July. I got them done just in time. I just don't have a good picture of him wearing them.

Wonderful day!

After a VERY long week of Devan being gone all week at school, working and being a full time mom, we have had a wonderful weekend. Last night we tried to go swimming but the pool closed right as we got there due to someone not getting to the restroom soon enough. Our back up plan was going to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. Freddy actually ate their spaghetti which is a miracle. Devan shared with me all the high lights of trucking school, and expressed how much he is enjoying it. He is a new man. He is on the road of accomplishing his goal of being able to support his family and doing something he truly loves.

Today, Devan went to school in the morning. I decided that Freddy and I needed a real mom and Fred morning. We went out to Sugar House shopping area and looked at several fun stores. My favorite was a fabric store. I found some adorable snowman fabric that I need to find a fun thing to make with it. And I got some cute Halloween fabric I want to make a banner out of. So if anyone knows of a good website for sewing projects, please let me know. To end our morning we went to Boarder's and got a smoothie and scone. The poor boy fell asleep on the way home, which was a 10min drive.

Freddy is so much fun when I get to spend time alone with him. He is starting to talk more. He will repeat some words, and jabbers at me as if I should understand him. The newest word of his that Dev and I love is "tickle". His since of humor is starting to shine and we love it. This after noon we went swimming. Freddy is starting to really scare me. He walked around the pool in water that was CHIN deep on him. He refused my help. He tried to blow bubbles by singing. I am seriously thinking about getting him into swim lessons so I know what to teach him next. Right now we are working on climbing out of the pool as a safety precaution. I have been so busy lately that I haven't had the time I've wanted to spend with him. The last couple of days I have had the time and energy, and it has been wonderful. I have fallen in love with my little boy.

Last Day of July

July has been a busy month of parades, fireworks, and every day living. Here is a list of festivities we participated in to celebrate our country and pioneers.

Stadium of Fire--Devan and I were able to go out with our good friends the Hawkins to the 4th of July celebration in Provo. We were able to listen to some wonderful music, by bands, David Archelitta (sp?), and Brad Paisley. The best part was of course the magnificent fire work show. Freddy got the opportunity to spend some time with his Crossley Grandparents.

On the 4th of July we went to the Murray Parade in the morning with the Johnson Family. Their little boy is two days younger than Freddy, so it is always fun to get them together. Freddy really enjoyed the parades. He kept on wanting to run out to the people who were in it, and walk with them. The bands were his favorite, as were the fire trucks as long as they didn't have their sirens on.

Later on that day we joined Devan's family for a 4th of July dinner. Freddy had a lot of fun playing with his cousins.

And to top the night off we joined the Kirks at Sugar House Park for fireworks. Once again Freddy really enjoyed them as long as they were not to loud.

We also went to American Fork for Steel Days, but unfortunately forgot to take pictures. We had a fun day spending time with Nanny, Papa, and the cousins. And more fun with more fireworks.

We went to one more parade on the 24th of July. It is the 4th largest parade in the nation. I thought that was pretty cool. Our stake created a float and it won the top award. They put a lot of work into it. We just got some pictures of our family though.

This last picture is of the Liahona band that is Devan's favorite. They have great rhythm, and are very loud.

I believe that wraps up the month of July for us. Devan got enrolled in trucking school that begins tomorrow night. I am struggling with the idea of having to be alone all week and working. My older sister is amazing!! Her husband is in North Dakota for several weeks for work. She will be a single mom for weeks at a time. I really shouldn't complain. Guess I am just tired and not very motivated.

The exciting news is that Freddy and I are taking a week long trip to Oregon to visit my family in about 3wks. I am suppose to be doing a triathlon, but we will shall see what happens. I won't be too disappointed if I am sick an unable to actually do it. :)

Mid-July Already!!

I have had the intention to post for the last month but just haven't made the time. Now I am regretting it because Fred has done so many funny things this last month, but I don't remember all of them now :(. I will post at least once week from here on out!!

Life has just gotten crazier over the last month and will continue to be crazy until October at the soonest. I started babysitting 32hrs/wk instead of the the 20hrs I was loving. I am also cleaning the gym at night as well. Working a 42hr/wk is drainin!! Plus being a wife and mother, I'm jus not sure how people do it. However!!There is a light at the end of the tunnel for me. Devan is starting school August 1st at SL Community. He is doing the trucking program there. The schedule is pretty busy for 8wks. He will work from 8-4 and be in school from 5-10, Monday-Thursday. I will be a single mother working two jobs for most of the week. And Devan will be gone 12hrs a day. Luckily it will only be for a couple of months.

Freddy is growing like a weed. His language skills are starting to improve a little. Yesterday he said "puppy" as clear as day. He won't say it again though :(. We have been counting a lot to 3 lately. We count when he is jumping, throwing a toy, or just being silly. This morning as I was playing with him I started pointing out the numbers 1,2,3..on a toy. As I was counting he got his fingers in a 2 position and said two. Once again, when I encouraged him to do it again he wouldn't. He can also say truck, all done, daddy. I am still a little disappointed that he still won't say "mama". Oh, he also yells somthing that sounds like "Where are you" It isn't those exact words, but one can tell what he is trying to say.

What a wonderful day

Today, we had playgroup at the home I babysit. Talk about a fun morning. There were five mom's, and like 8-10kids. And everyone had a great time. Playgroupis the highlight of our week. After babysitting, Kara and I, went to two quilting stores and found the cutest material. It is fun to have someone close to work on sewing projects with. Here are some pictures of the material I bought today.

This is the material I am going to make shorts for Freddy for the the 4th of July. I am also going to cut out a star and put it on a plain t-shirt so he can have a matching shirt :)

Isn't this quilt adorable!! I LOVE it. I am actually going to make a wall hanging instead of a quilt. I am having a friend help me create it, so hopefully it will turn out as cute as I have it pictured in my head

Freddy really enjoys working with tools. While I was sewing, he worked hard on fixing his toys

This as a picture of Freddy's hair right before w cut it. It isn't the greatest, but it will have to do.

And this is after. (still curly :))

And this is Freddy's first experience painting a card board box. The boys both had great fun painting Freddy's hair blue.

Gratitude Journal and other things

Lately I have been thinking a lot about a gratitude journal my sister suggested to me. It is very true that remembering our blessings will make life (no matter the situation) a much happier one. Our family has been blessed with so many wonderful things. We are able to pay ALL our bills, Eat. Work. Play. Have two vehicles in working order. Live in a great ward, with a wonderful bishop and friends. The list just goes on and on. There are many times I sound like Freddy is the ONLY blessing I have, that just isn't true. Along with the gratitude journal my sister suggested, she added the factor that he coud only be mentioned once a week. I strongly believe it is to help my realize the other wonderful things I am blessed with on a daily basis.

Here is day one to my gratitude journal....I am grateful for a wonderful bishop who listens, encourages, and gives comforting suggestions and instruction.

Life

I have had several people tell me that I need to post more on my blog. I agree with them, unfortunately life has been pretty difficult lately, and it is hard to think on something positive to say so I don't sound as negative as I feel. However, Freddy just had his late 15month check up this last week which made him 16months.
Here are some fun stats:
weight: 22lbs 6oz
height: 30inches
He is in the 15percentile for both of area. I thought he was a lot bigger then that. Since he turned one, he as hasn't grown a whole lot. The doctore reassured me that he is a very healthy boy.

Some things that he is now doing:
-running, climbing, bouncing, and dancing
-he makes great attempts at repeating words, but isn't quit there yet. He can say all done and up. He makes the dog sound, growls almost constantly, snorts like a pig, spits like a llama, and can make a pretty good elephant noise.
-he loves to sign, he knows all done, more, please, bird, dog, ball, fish, eat, drink, car, shoes, and cat. He can communicate his wants very well.
-things that he LOVES: sticks, rocks, dogs, animals, balls, food, other children
He is still the light of my life. His temper tantrums are getting more common. Mainly happens when things don't go his way. He really enjoys going to the daycare at the gym we go to, which eases my mind A LOT. Freddy is just an adorable boy, who is no longer my baby. I really miss my baby, but love my little boy.

This weekend we have Audrey with us. Freddy loves it when she comes to visit. It is kind of hard on Dev and I because all she does is follow Fred around, or stands around twiddling her fingers. It is kind of exhausting because we have to tell her how to be a kid. Tell her what to play with, when to eat, how to eat, when to clean up. If anyone has any suggestions for us that would be great.

I am now working two jobs. I clean a gym at least four nights a week, 2.5hrs night. I also babysit in the mornings two very cute boys, ages 10months and 3.5yrs. All three boys keep me pretty busy. The babysitting has only been 20hrs a wk, but will soon change to 32hrs/wk. So I will soon be working 42hrs on top of being a mother, wife, cook, and house cleaner. Devan really needs to get a new job, because I don't know how much longer a can do this. He works a 35-40hr/wk. And he does help some around the house. Life is just hard. He has a couple of different jobs he has applied for that are in Oregon. We are just waiting to see what happens. Moving to Oregon at the end of summer doesn't sound too rough to me, if that means I don't have to work two jobs.

Well that is it for now I suppose. I hope everyone has a great Memorial Weekend!!!

Free Photo Shoot!!!

Well, it has been awhile since I have blogged. I keep on thinking that I should so now I will. I am going to post first about this fabulous opportunity I was told about by an old friend. There is a photographer in Utah County that is giving a free photo shoot!!! You can enter 5 different times and ways. And she is picking three winners!! Talk about exciting!! My family could really use a new family photo so I am trying to share with everyone I can think of.

Here is the link where you can get more information: http://jktphoto.blogspot.com/2011/05/giveaway-time.html

Daily News

nmNow that I am caught up with all the holidays, on to the daily events. We have had fun being outside when the days have been warm enough. I kind of forgot that this warm weather is new to Freddy. He LOVES being outside. Oh the wonderful things a little boy kind find in the dirt, and sidewalk. Freddy experienced his first walk to a little park we live near. He was tickled with himself that he was walking by himself. As a car drove past us, he stopped, stared and turned as they quickly passed. I had to remind myself that the walk to the park was a journey in of its self; our street is quit busy.
A little update on Fred's development. At his one year check up (25 January) he weighed in at 21pounds, and 28inches. I was surprised that he only gained two pounds in the last 3months. For the past year he has stayed in the 33 percentile for both weight and height. He has discovered how to walk backwards, which has become his favorite thing to show off. Running backwards is what he is trying now. Hopefully he will realize that running backwards, is not the best way to get around. Climbing is also a knew adventure that has his interest. Audrey's little pink chair is the favorite to climb. He has fallen off multiple times, but that has not stopped him from climbing.
We are just beginning to hear words from Fred. He is quit the babbler. He has many things to tell us through the day, we only wish we understood. He can say up, all done, and dada. He also signs eat, more, and please. He loves signing please so much that there are times I have no clue what he is saying it for. The smile that comes when he hands me something and says please is irrestible.

Here are some pictures!!

Enjoying a beautiful spring day at Wheeler Farm

Devan wants to know what I do all day!!

We saw the Bar J Wranglers for Devan's birthday. Dev and Fred had a blast

Freddy's First Birthday

 During chidhood a year felt like an eternity.  I waited for "hundreds" of years to be a teenager. Then "thousands" of years to be able to drive. It took "forever" to turn 18 so that I was deemed an adult to the state and move of parent's house. To find the man of my dreams, marry in the temple took only a "mllion" years. Get preganant, carry the baby full term, and deliver took only 9months. From the moment of meeting my first son, watching his personality develop, teaching him to walk, sign, and talk, and to turn 1year old......took only a moment. Oh, the joys that this one little boy has brought in to mine and Devan's life is breath taking.

These are the two cakes Fredd had. Devan and I both wanted to make him a cake. Since we are still working on working together as a couple, we each made our own. (However, I baked both of them.)

             

  These are the friends that were able to join us for the party.

  

Audrey

Morgan

Jonah

Jessica (her husband came too, Isaac. Thanks Isaac for coming, sorry we didn't get a picture of you)

Donnas with baby Anna

Bevan with baby Anna
The pictures with the cake are quit commical. We had not realized what a clean, polite little boy we have.

 

And the video just for kicks

Merry Christmas

Since I am seriously behind on blogging and would really like to start again, I am just going to throw on some adorable pictures of Freddy's first Christmas. We went to Oregon to visit my family. Freddy actually had a rough first Christmas. My sister, Amanda, has four kids and invited my parents and us to her house to help presents Christmas morning. Freddy had a blast watching his cousins. He had just begun walking, and got his first black eye by falling down on the corner of a train table. And then a few moments later he fell backwards and started bleeding from his mouth. Despite the injuries we all had a fabulous Christmas.

Hazelton cousins we got to see for just a few short hours before they had to go home. Freddy fell in love with Adam. He was so exhausted but refused to lay down. I handed Fred to Adam and the next thing I knew Adam had Fred asleep in his arms.

Emily, Amber, Adam, and Freddy.

He got to play with ALL of his cousins while in Oregon and loved every minute of it!

Pappa, Sammy, and Freddy.

Grandam, Danyell, Janeka, Freddy, and Kally

Danae made us all aprons for Christmas.

We are at my dad's and Linda's place enjoying each other's company

Before we left for Oregon we had a mini Christmas with Audrey. They both got new jammies.

Had to get at least one picture of Freddy opening presents.

On our way home Freddy as really quit for a long time. I thought he was a sleep. When I looked back to check on him he had taken an apple out of the food box. He decided he needed a snack. He sure is an independent little boy.