Equality

Today while checking Instagram I came across a comment on a picture talking about Wear Pants To Church and this movement. I don't know if its Kansas or the fact that I remove myself from a lot of political stuff but this was new to me. I had a heard bits and pieces but didn't really know what it was about. After talking to my mom, sister and googleing stuff I got the idea. According to these women wearing pants is a step toward equality and closer to the argument of women receiving the preisthood.

At first I found it odd and somewhat silly. Then I found myself feeling a little sorry for some of these women. I truly do not mean to be offensive or ridicule them for their opinion but I don't see where they are coming from. If you feel that being able to wear pants or hold the priesthood is needed to be an equal in this religion then I truly feel sorry for you.

I love this faith. I have never not felt respected or an equal. I know I am valued and respected. I know that being a woman holds a different meaning in this religion as opposed to the world. I know that to the world I have only gotten married, graduated from college, had a baby and now stay at home and don't even "use my degree". I know it's rare or odd that I am married and a mom at 23. But in my faith and in my own family I am doing the most important thing in the world. I am being a mother.

In my own marriage and life Jake and I are complete equals. We make every big decision together. He does not rule our family just because he has the priesthood, were a partnership making decisions together as one. It was this same way growing up in my family. My mother and father were equal partners. I always knew how much my father respected and valued my mother. He never saw her as less of an equal because she was a woman. I can easily say the exact thing for both grandparents as well as my in laws.

That is one of the things I love most about being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The value placed upon women in this faith is incredible. Lessons and talks are given on the power and influence of various women and how we can strive to learn from their wonderful examples. If you listen to the amount of respect and love shown when a member of the 12 talks about a woman it's hard not to see just how special they feel we as women are.

I see the priesthood as a blessing and responsibility that men carry just as women have the privilege and blessing of carrying babies. Men and Women are just different however both equally loved and cherished by God.

The Best Day in December

A year ago today was my "due date" which always seems so weird to think about. Ty did not show up early or on time, and as I think back I sometimes laugh at how completely clueless I was. Thinking back to last year and how much our lives have changed.  I can no longer deny that I have a one year old (next week!!!).  Looking at that first picture reminds me once again that Jake and I had no clue that in a few shortish hours our lives would change in ways we didn't know were possible.

I am grateful everyday for this precious gift Heavenly Father has sent us.  I know that most 23 year olds don't dream of staying home and having their lives revolve around nap schedules, eating schedules, diaper changes and all the other things that go into being a mother or a parent but for me its perfect.  I couldn't imagine being or doing anything else.  It has challenged me and changed me for the better.  Every day I am blessed to call this little boy mine and in return be called a mother by him.  Thanks little T, I can't imagine my life without you...love you
 

About an hour before my first contraction (ever) and a grand total of 5 hours before going to the hospital 

First time I held him

Saying goodbye to the elevator he was trapped in

Life Long Dream Fulfilled

It has been a well know fact in our relationship that Jake has always wanted to go to a San Francisco 49er game.  Needless to say it has been a life long dream.  Well this year we found ourselves in the position to fulfill this dream.  The Niners were playing the St. Louis Rams the weekend after his birthday.  We found a great deal on two aisle (aisle baby) tickets from a season ticket holder who was selling his tickets.  We drove the 4 hours to St. Louis and had ourselves a grand ole time.  Minus the time the we stayed up until 3 am trying to help a sick baby with a super high fever (102.6)   All in all this years birthday was a thousand times better than last.  I made a pretty stinking good apple pie, Ty helped Jake open presents, and we fulfilled a life long dream...success in my book!

Here are just a couple of our fav pictures from our trip.  

View from our seats

Buddies 

Happy Birthday Jake! 

Sunny CA

Being home seems a little surreal. It's been so long since I've been here for Christmas. The last time was 2009 and Jake came to ask permission for us to get married. Needless to say a lot has happened since then!

Ty and I luckily got out of Kansas just as the cold came blowing in. Before arriving in CA I was actually missing the snow from Utah. It took a whole half a second of 70 degree weather for me to change that idea! Ty and I have honestly been having a blast in CA. He loves my family's dog Rascal, crawls after him and constantly giggles whenever the dog looks at him. Seeing Ty yelling gage (doggie) every time he sees him and interacts almost makes me want to get one! Then I realize I don't want two kids just yet!

Living so far away from family has made truly enjoy and appreciate my time with them. We're loving are three week Christmas vacation and making every minute last. Can't wait for all the fun activities we have planned for when Jake and Kenzi get here! Here are some of my fav pics from being home so far.

Ty just stands at this gate and talks all day

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Happy Birthday Jake!

Today is Jake's birthday! We (as in T and me) have a couple of little things we made and put up around the house and tonight the 3 of us are going out to dinner! Last year I remember we were so anxiously awaiting Ty to get here that Jake's birthday wasn't really about Jake.  We had a couple of family issues that put a slight damper on the day.  Although we both aren't sticklers on celebrating your birthday on your birthday, this year is a little bit of a make up for last year being so awful.

So Happy Birthday Jake! 

This is now the 4th birthday I've spent with you.  Time seems to fly by so fast.  I am so grateful that I have every birthday forever to spend with you.  Thanks for all your hard work and effort to provide the life we have, I couldn't imagine life without you!  I'm excited to celebrate another year together and look forward to many more.  Love you!

 

Thankful

I struggle with the holiday Thanksgiving.  I sometimes feel there is way too much hype for a meal of mashed potatoes and turkey.  I understand the significance behind the idea of coming together to be thankful for what we have, but I struggle to see why so much emphasis should be put on doing it one day out of the year.  Why can't every day be spent trying to show our loved ones how much we love them and expressing how grateful we are for the lives we each live.  Maybe if we did it more, it would get lost and turned into another mundane activity of life. All I know is as our family gets back into our routine (for 2 weeks) I find myself wishing I expressed my feelings more frequently.

There are a million things in my life that I am grateful for.  So many that I think I would bore anyone reading this including myself. So instead of making people want to vomit, or break their computer I'll do just the basics.  The things that I can't imagine my life without.

I am most grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and my Savior.  I truly would be lost without the knowledge of them and who I am.

I am grateful for my marriage. So many countless, wonderful things have stemmed from that decision.  To be sealed to the person I love for time and all eternity. Including the opportunity to be a mother.  It has changed me and consumed me in ways I didn't know were possible. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who quietly whispered it was time and that I was ready for this sacred and special responsibility. 

I am grateful for my parents. There have been distinct moments in my life where I have noticed how blessed I am to have them and how different my life would be without them.  They are two of the kindest/funniest people I know, and I hope to always strive to make them proud.

T kept doing this all night, I guess being on a plane cramps his style

Now onto the best time of the year! Jakes Birthday, Ty's 1st Birthday and Christmas. Let the holiday magic begin!

Over-Achiever

I feel like there is always this battle going on in my head when I choose to craft. My type A, first child, semi perfectionist personality conflicts with my ADHD project personality. I start a project make the beginning perfect but half way through I'm totally bored and have found something else I want to do. I decided that Ty really needed a quiet book for the traveling that's coming up during the holidays. Of course I only thought of this on Wednesday and we fly out Sunday. So now my kitchen table looks like this. And I am covered in glitter. Luckily I'm thinking this short deadline will force me to actually finish.

But on a positive note Ty really likes the 2 pages I've done so far and Jake gets home tonight! Hope he doesn't mind eating on the couch all weekend!

#HatingMondays

 

"You know what stripper? You are kind of a disgusting skank!" 

Thats for you Torrie

That is how I feel about Mondays. 

They disgust me. Not in a funny way like those people on the TLC shows My Strange Addiction, or Virgin Diaries. But in a very serious I hate you way.  They remind me that my lovely weekend as a family is now over and everyday life and reality smack me in the face.

This typical Monday was worse than normal Mondays. 

A: It was a reminder that one of my besties was gone. Who was I going to relive hilarious high school moments with now? Or lounge around eating and drinking cokes with?

B: Where did the nice 70 weather go?!?! It says 29 but my cars a liar, 2 seconds later it dropped to 26...gross

C: Hate waking T up at 4:30 to go to the airport because when we get home around 5:30/5:45 he thinks it is go time for the day and doesn't want to sleep.

D: Once again for the next 4 days I am a single parent.  The single parent part isn't too bad its everything that comes with it. 

-Becoming a crazy pariond person. I blame it on growing up in Hemet. You never know who might be waiting in the shadows to shank you. 

- Doing the dishes, because my dish washer is out making a living.

-Meals for one. I hated cooking for myself in college and I hate it now. Thus I live on eggs, waffles and baked potatoes. Not together though because that's sick. 

I will definitely be spending my afternoon walking around Target sharing popcorn with T and drinking a LARGE diet coke. Because even when I leave Target with nothing I am always in a better mood.   

 

  

 

Tis The Season

I decided to add bubbles to Ts bath and it was literally the funniest thing.  After a couple of minutes of staring at them he proceeded to try and eat them.  He repeatedly dipped his open, mouthed face into the water and then stare at me.  It's these little moments that crack me up and remind me how precious it is having him in our home. I am so lucky to be a mom.

Life Lately Through My Iphone

I don't know if its the fact that T is getting bigger and doing more things that I want to document or the fact that its the holiday season and we are definitely taking advantage of living somewhere fun by doing various activities. Whatever it is it has me filling up my phone with pictures of this little guy!
   

Halloween with T, Superman Cape and a Diaper have never looked so cute, 1st Birthday Present, Family trip to Cider Farm

Papa and T in their Raider Gear, Morning snuggles to MM Clubhouse, Christmas/Birthday Shopping

Little shopping buddy, Eating is always a funny experience, 1st Time eating frozen yogurt with Aunt Kenzi 

   

ps I have no idea why I cant move the captions closer...sometimes I am completely inept when it comes to technology!

Happy Halloween

I have so many epic memories of Halloween growing up. Always spending the day/night with my cousins. I just couldn't resist and dressed Bubba in his costume practically all day! Just seeing his fat, chubby cheeks in his little hat made my day! Hopefully by the time my sisters start having babies ill be done/almost done, we will live a lot closer to each other and Bubba and my other future children can make some of the wonderful memories I have with my cousins. Until then ill leave you with some of my favorites of the day. You just can't beat his happy, smiling face!

Hope your Halloween was a happy one! Also a big congrats to my amazing cousin and his wife who sent the cutest announcement for their own little mini monster! Cannot wait to meet this special little spirit! Definitely loved already by many!

Typical Lazy Night

Ty now likes to constantly make this face #lookalittleconstipated

Just a quick grab down my shirt, not at all awkward

Tonight we decided to go out really I just didnt want to cook and celebrate the fact that Jake passed "A" week at work, and that my Dad and sister Gabby fly in tomorrow at 11:00 pm! After a delish dinner we took a quick trip to Nordstrom and got Bubba two ridiculously cute pairs of shoes. There is nothing better than little baby shoes! 

Except maybe someone offering me an entire fabulous outfit for free... its a close toss up. 

Ps a HUGE congrats to Jake, Geoff and Spencer for making it to the final round of their competition for best new business idea! Way to go!! Even if we don't come in first its a huge compliment to make it this far! But fingers crossed you do!     

Kenzi in KC

Since Kenz was in town we decided to head into the city and visit the National World War 1 museum.  It was full of information, really clean and not too crowded which was nice! Instead of bringing our stroller in Jake opted to carry Ty throughout the museum which left Kenz and I free to wonder around and read all the plaques (Our dad would be so proud of us).  Here are some of my favorites/ most interesting pictures...I have no idea though why I didn't get a single picture with Mackenzie.

Ty is always smiling when he is outside!

This was the flag flying over the Capitol when congress voted to enter WW1

I think I will forever be a sucker for history...I blame BOTH my parents. And apologize now to all my future children because they will be stuck watching videos and visiting museums, oh well!

Kenzi in KC: Church Tour

It was so much fun having my sister Mackenzie in town! Ty loved having her here.  Everyone morning he would wake up and go to her and usually give her lots of kisses.  I definitely wish Utah and Kansas were closer to each other so we could all see Aunt Kenzi a little more.

Playing tour guide for a week was really fun, and forced us to get out and do a lot of the things we have been wanting to do.  One of the things Mackenzie wanted to see was the KC temple and Liberty Jail visitors center. We happily obliged her.

Lucky for us our visits from friends and family are just starting!