I have been thinking lately. (I know, weird.) I was thinking about how all the little things in life add up. Even though they seem so insignificant, they end up shaping the person that you are, and the kind of life you end up with. I know I have heard this my entire life. "Make Good Choices!"- my parents always said. But it is so true. It just sort of hit me that what I am doing today will affect many many tomorrows to come. For example, (sorry, gotta use the dental knowledge!) flossing daily. Such a small thing. And it takes what? 45 seconds? And for 45 seconds a day, I can keep my teeth for the next 60+ years. And putting on sunscreen. Takes 30 seconds. Prevents cancer. Result- longer life. What about the choice to go to college? And Where you go? That makes a huge difference on the kind of friends you make. And the activities you participate in. Which determines your career. For the rest of you life. And you get to make this decision when you are 18 years old. And want to just play and hang out with friends. Holy cow. Second thought: I am glad that my dad didn't let me skip Sunday School. I tried to ditch. Really. But he would find me and drag me back. Time and time again. I am so glad he had the perseverance. I am glad my parents dragged us kids out of bed every morning before school to read scriptures. Small things. 15 minutes a day. I think it paid off. I have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. I know he lives.
I hope I can remember to do the small things that make such a big difference down the road. I am forever grateful to my parents for guiding me and helping me reach my goals. Now I feel like the hard part as just begun. I have to do a zillion small things and hope that I do the right small things so my children are affected for good. For the rest of their life. Wow. Does anyone else feel like this is a huge challenge? And that our parents are truly amazing people.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Chipmonk
Peter's latest: Saving food for later. In his cheeks. Nasty.
(But actually impressive that he can hold as much food as he does in that little mouth!)
(But actually impressive that he can hold as much food as he does in that little mouth!)
Monday, August 30, 2010
August...
We just got back from a month long trip to Arizona. At 11:00 pm last night. So of course the first thing I did when I woke up this morning (after changing diapers) was blog. Duh. That's obviously the most important thing I could do right?Bryan studied for 2 weeks for his boards. Peter, Brooke and I got to play.
I have to say I absolutely LOVE Flagstaff. Yup. I said it. I have decided there is no better place to be. 
With a duck pond like this? What else could one ask for in life? :)
So, to sum it up, our vacation consisted of:
Bryan Studying. Bryan taking his written boards. Bryan Stressing about his boards. After he took them. Bryan waiting to see if he passed. (which, by the way, he did!)
Bryan eating Blue Bell ice cream.
Jamie eating as much real mexican food as possible. Maximum green chile! mmm mmm
The duck pond.
Beautiful trails to run on in Flagstaff. (and a not so beautiful one in Winslow)
Injuring my leg. No more training for my 1/2 marathon. Sad day.
Mountain Biking with my mom.
My awesome dad watching the kids so I could run and bike.
Bryan eating more blue bell ice cream.
Sleeping in the same room with the kids for 4 weeks. (I don't recommend it)
Spending time with Nana and Grandpa.
Watching Finding Nemo one too many times.
BBQing with Steve and Kim
Playing cards until all hours of the night.
Getting in fights from playing Catan. (watch out where you place that road buddy...)
Boating with Abby and Pooba.
Getting to have the world record set for the most # of waiters at a table for Grandpa's birthday dinner! (well, maybe not but it felt like it!)
Starlight Pines.
Listening to all these crazy Arizonans try to tell me it was humid. Ya. Right.
El Rancho. mmm mmm mmm
Nannie and Grandpy coming up from Tucson.
Got to vote in the Arizona Primary Election. (good timing huh?)
Shopping. I love Dillards. And the Buckle. And Cori having too many jobs so I can get discounts when I go shopping.
And now I am dealing with some major jet lag. Imagine that.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The One with the Very Huge Post
(part 1 of 3...sorry guys....at least I separated it into "Brooke", "Peter", and "All of Us")
Does it ever seem like the oldest child has a bazillion photos taken of them when they were a baby and the rest of the kids got jipped? Being a parent, I can now understand why. Its not as if you love the 2nd any less, its just that you realize its not REALLY the coolest thing in the world when your baby sticks its fingers in its mouth. And you didn't really realize that 23 pictures per outfit is overboard. Or that other babies do the same thing as your baby. (That's why they are called "babies") So here is my point, while some may view it as not enough pictures were taken of the 2nd child....I think that way too many might have been taken of the first....maybe...or maybe not. That is the joy of being a parent! But I really didn't want Brooke to feel like we took so many pictures of Peter and none of her. So here are a bunch of pictures-just because- of Brooke.
(yes, her fingers and mouth have some sort of magnets on them...)
"PLEASE get me out of here Mom!"
The Mullet. Need I say more?
"What mullet?"
4th of July out in the humidity. It does wonders for her hair.
Look at my Buddha belly
May '10
Guess who? Not Brooke. Its me, Jamie at 3 months.
Jamie again! (but I think we do look a little alike)
Guess who? nope. Not Brooke. Not Jamie. Its Dawn! (aka Abby- Jamie's mommy!)
Does it ever seem like the oldest child has a bazillion photos taken of them when they were a baby and the rest of the kids got jipped? Being a parent, I can now understand why. Its not as if you love the 2nd any less, its just that you realize its not REALLY the coolest thing in the world when your baby sticks its fingers in its mouth. And you didn't really realize that 23 pictures per outfit is overboard. Or that other babies do the same thing as your baby. (That's why they are called "babies") So here is my point, while some may view it as not enough pictures were taken of the 2nd child....I think that way too many might have been taken of the first....maybe...or maybe not. That is the joy of being a parent! But I really didn't want Brooke to feel like we took so many pictures of Peter and none of her. So here are a bunch of pictures-just because- of Brooke.
(yes, her fingers and mouth have some sort of magnets on them...)
"PLEASE get me out of here Mom!"
The Mullet. Need I say more?
"What mullet?"
4th of July out in the humidity. It does wonders for her hair.
Look at my Buddha belly
May '10
Guess who? Not Brooke. Its me, Jamie at 3 months.
Jamie again! (but I think we do look a little alike)
Guess who? nope. Not Brooke. Not Jamie. Its Dawn! (aka Abby- Jamie's mommy!)That is some major resemblance!
Just for the record, (because I will forget all too soon) here is what she is doing these days. She has been sleeping from 9 pm-5am on the majority of nights. We still haven't perfected it but that's alright. She is nursing about every 3 hours during the day. Sometimes sooner. She hates tummy time. I doubt she will be rolling over anytime soon. She is full of smiles and giggles and just adores her older brother. She watches Petey ALL the time. She is very good at falling asleep on her own as long as she is swaddled. But she works REALLY hard to get her hands out. And then I have to put them back in for her to fall asleep again. She also is easy to travel with and will fall asleep in her car seat. Go Brookey!
Just for the record, (because I will forget all too soon) here is what she is doing these days. She has been sleeping from 9 pm-5am on the majority of nights. We still haven't perfected it but that's alright. She is nursing about every 3 hours during the day. Sometimes sooner. She hates tummy time. I doubt she will be rolling over anytime soon. She is full of smiles and giggles and just adores her older brother. She watches Petey ALL the time. She is very good at falling asleep on her own as long as she is swaddled. But she works REALLY hard to get her hands out. And then I have to put them back in for her to fall asleep again. She also is easy to travel with and will fall asleep in her car seat. Go Brookey!
The One with the Very Huge Post, Cont'd
This is the 'Peter' part of the post. He is just so much fun these days. He is also testing my patience too. Not that he is a bad 2 year old. I am just an inexperienced mom of a 2 year old. That is the main part of the problem. For example: I came downstairs last week to find him sitting on the table with a ballpoint pen drawing all over the bumbo. (That is Brooke's green chair if you were wondering) Nothing will take the pen out either. He had this look on his face like it was Christmas morning too! He also loves to ask questions. And if its not the answer he was looking for, he just repeats the question. Persistent little kid.
First time bowling. I was just happy he could pick the ball up by himself!
Peter is so sweet to his sister. He gives kisses and is the first one to jump up and put the binky back in her mouth if she drops it.
He can drink out of a regular cup now too! (but he gets stuck with the sippy when I am not feeling like cleaning up a mess)
Shoe shopping with Melinda
He had more fun trying on shoes than we did. He always picked the ugliest colors though. He would go straight for the white/grey shoes that looked like poop. Or that a 95 year old lady would wear.
He loved the fireworks from the 10th St. Bridge on the 4th of July
First time bowling. I was just happy he could pick the ball up by himself!
Peter is so sweet to his sister. He gives kisses and is the first one to jump up and put the binky back in her mouth if she drops it.
He can drink out of a regular cup now too! (but he gets stuck with the sippy when I am not feeling like cleaning up a mess)
Shoe shopping with Melinda
He had more fun trying on shoes than we did. He always picked the ugliest colors though. He would go straight for the white/grey shoes that looked like poop. Or that a 95 year old lady would wear.
He loved the fireworks from the 10th St. Bridge on the 4th of JulyWe took him in his jammies cuz it doesn't get dark in Pittsburgh until 930 or so.
Last but not least- This is Harold the Helicopter. He is bribery. Peter went #2 (for lack of a better word) in the potty yesterday for the very first time. Harold has been sitting on the window in the bathroom just waiting for Peter to do it so he could become the newest toy in Petey's collection! Wahoo! We are really far away from potty-trained, but its a start!
Last but not least- This is Harold the Helicopter. He is bribery. Peter went #2 (for lack of a better word) in the potty yesterday for the very first time. Harold has been sitting on the window in the bathroom just waiting for Peter to do it so he could become the newest toy in Petey's collection! Wahoo! We are really far away from potty-trained, but its a start!The One with the Very Huge Post, part 3
This is the last part. I promise. This is the part where I get to post about all of our summer activities! My friends really know how to throw a party. I was so impressed by the decorations for my friend Tiffany's baby shower. She is having twins. Amber went ALL OUT. These are vinyl bubbles and writing. WOW. I don't even want to know how long it took her to set this up.
Next we have a birthday party! (one of MANY from this summer... I just forgot my camera at the others)
Happy 5th birthday Gage!
His awesome Darth Vadar cake Jessica made
Next- a visit from Melinda
We went up to Mt. Washington to check out the skyline at night. Awesome.
4th of July. Don't they look thrilled to be up at 10:30 pm?
We watched fireworks from one of the many bridges
And of course, it was awesome to have Melinda here for it!
Next...Bryan attempting to study.
I hate to say it, but he isn't too successful when the kids are awake.
Yes, I know its already 'over' but that is the beauty of NETFLIX. And instant streaming on the PS3. I love it.
Next we have a birthday party! (one of MANY from this summer... I just forgot my camera at the others)
Happy 5th birthday Gage!
His awesome Darth Vadar cake Jessica madeNext- a visit from Melinda
We went up to Mt. Washington to check out the skyline at night. Awesome.
4th of July. Don't they look thrilled to be up at 10:30 pm?
We watched fireworks from one of the many bridges
And of course, it was awesome to have Melinda here for it!Next...Bryan attempting to study.
I hate to say it, but he isn't too successful when the kids are awake.And we are way too into watching this show...
Yes, I know its already 'over' but that is the beauty of NETFLIX. And instant streaming on the PS3. I love it.Last but not least... I am working on getting this hand in Hearts so I can kick Bryan's butt at least 1x before the summer is over.
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