TOGETHER

Allow me to be sappy for a moment. I love having a twin. J and I arrived in Utah yesterday for time with family since we aren't able to make it for the holidays this year. Andrea, my twin sister and best friend picked us up from the airport. It may seem cheesy to say, but life just seems complete again when we are together. You are right, it is not like I don't talk to her or text her all day long, but being together is amazingly better. (You may be asking yourself, "Why is Allison blogging instead of spending time with her family?" Jace is napping at my Dad's house and everyone here is working so I started looking through old pictures on my Dad's computer and here is what came to mind.)

When Andrea and I were babies, my mom tells a story about a time when Andrea had surgery. From the moment the doctors took her away from my mom, she called home and my cousin who was watching me told her that I would not eat and I was really fussy. My mom called again after surgery and I had calmed right down. There is without a doubt a strong bond we have shared since birth.

I am the really chubby one on the right. My mom still has these dresses. Knowing her she probably made them.

I just miss her a lot when we are apart. I never have to tell her how I am feeling about something because most often she feels the exact same. I admire her kindness and her sensitivity towards others. I guess I always imagined we'd live next door to each other when we got married and raise our kids together. I imagined being able to share clothes for life. When J and I moved away we literally had to split up our wardrobe....not easy! I imagined forever being able to take care of her and her of me. Life takes us funny places, but I am very grateful we are still close and look forward to spending time with her when we can.

Saturday at the Park

Yesterday we took Jace to a fun park near our house. Of course he loved it. He loves wearing J's hat lately.
"Hi."


Jace's hair is really affected by static.
"Cheese." Riding the seahorse.


Watching the ducks with dad.

Happy 5th Anniversary Sweetie

Yesterday, October 10, 2008 was our 5th Anniversary. My sweet husband made dinner reservations and even set up a baby sitter for the night. It was a long day yesterday with a lot of things going on, so by evening I was extremely ready to leave all responsibilities at home and just enjoy time to ourselves. I don't even remember the last time we had dinner alone and were able to focus on our conversation instead of making sure our little guy wasn't making a scene. It was so relaxing. So relaxing that I have a terrible slouch in this picture. Just pretend I have better posture okay.

For our 5th Anniversary, here are 5 things I love about J:

1. I love how positive J is. He is always able to help me see things in a better, uplifting light. I tend to get stressed and worried easily and he is always there to bring me back and help me see a different perspective.

2. I know he is willing to do anything for me. He is always willing to do anything I want to do in order for me to be happy. Even if he doesn't want to do something, he humors me anyway. Every time I hear the Tim McGraw song, "Just to See You Smile, I'd Do Anything", I think of what a wonderful husband I have. I can't tell you how many times he has sacrificed for me over the last 5 years.

3. I love his "Clean" obsession. I have always been a clean freak and to be honest I didn't know he was too, at least to this extent, until after we were married. No complaints, I love it. He has not qualms about doing dishes, dusting, folding laundry, etc. He just pitches in wherever is needed.

4. I love his knowledge of the gospel. Each time I have a gospel question, he can come up with scriptures or references off the top of his head. I love hearing him share his testimony and talk about the gospel because I can feel the Spirit and love seeing the Spirit touch him. So sweet.

5. I love what a good Daddy he is. Lately Jace has been quite the mommas boy and J is doing such a good job working through it. He makes up such cute games, says such funny things to him, and always makes him giggle. I don't think a day goes by where J doesn't look at me and say, "Look how cute he is" or "He is so smart, huh?". It makes my heart melt to watch them together and especially to watch J stare at Jace when he thinks no one is looking.

I love being married to this man, and look forward to each and every day with him.

Fun Times

I remember my mom telling me when I was little that counters were not for "feet or seats". Jace loves to sit and play on the counter and I think of her saying that every time I let him. I put him up there to sit while J was standing there to watch him and I grabbed his cup. When I turned around J had taught him how to get a drink from our water spout. He was ready for bed and then got completely drenched learning this new skill.
It made for some big smiles and laughs though.

HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THAT BELLY

What little one doesn't like to be without clothes. Every time I take off his shirt he pats his tummy. I am still waiting for his belly to thin out like everyone says it was going to months ago once he started walking. Secretly I hope it stays FOREVER. (He's pushing a broom around the house, probably for the 3rd time that day. So helpful. He says he's "seeping" for sweeping.)

Watching Conference

As I have said numerous times before, Jace loves music. During General Conference last weekend, when the music would start he would say "music" and listen. Then say, "I hear it. I hear it."

Tagged: 5 Quirks

Five Quirky things about me are: (before I start I just want to say that next time I am going to have J write this for me and I'll write it about him. I think it is a lot easier to think of quirky things about him than me.)

1. I am a control freak when it comes to money. I don't think J knew how extreme this was until we got married. Thankfully he has been patient with me and helped me calm down a bit. I pay ALL bills on time, I am obsessed with getting a good deal, and I am always looking for ways to cut costs and improve our budget.

2. I can fall asleep practically anywhere, and once I am asleep, I am really asleep. My roommates used to tease me because of this. They would try to wake me up just enough to ask me questions and get me to say stupid things in my groggy state. J recently told me he has a new rule: I must be ready for bed before I sit on the couch to watch tv. Otherwise, getting me off the couch once I have dozed is torture to him.

3. In relation to #2, I may be able to sleep anywhere, but it must be at night. I CAN'T NAP. The phrase, sleep when your baby sleeps never applied to me because I just lay there. It is actually quite frustrating. If I do fall asleep, it is about an hour after I lay down and by then Jace is ready to wake up soon after that. Then I am grumpy that I am still tired and having to wake up so I just don't nap. I'm working on it.

4. I talk to my sister Andrea at least 3 times a day. If I don't, I feel out of touch for some reason. We text all day long too.

5. I make lists. I make lists for everything. What I need to do today, what we need at the store, who I need to call, lists of books I want to read, lists of non-urgent tasks to get done, etc. I don't know I'd get anything done if I didn't have my lists. J finds them all over and reads them. He jokes around about them but at least I am organized.