Is this Real Life?

Last Saturday one of those scary life things happened. I was at work going through the storage room (aka the dungeon) and had no cell service. When I surfaced from the dungeon my phone beeped that I had a voicemail. I was busy setting up stuff for work so I didn't really think much of it. I kept thinking I should check my voicemail. Even though I HATE voicemails. Really, please don't leave me one. I usually never check it for weeks.

It was a voicemail from my mom's husband Blair telling me that my mom was taken to the Emergency Room at Riverton Hospital.

On Saturday my mom got a migraine so severe that it messed with her frontal lobe and caused her to lose her short term memory. She couldn't keep facts straight or anything. My mom's husband took her to instacare where they immediately told her she needed to go to the hospital. She was admitted to the emergency room immediately and was given a CT scan to check for possible stroke.

Luckily, there was no sign of stroke but they found some abnormalities in her blood vessels. So the doctor decided to proceed with an MRI. The MRI showed that there was deterioration in blood vessels to her brain. The MRI also revealed a small mass in her brain stem. She had to be transferred to a larger hospital that had neurologists on staff. After being admitted to St. Mark's hospital she was kept over night for observation. In the morning her short term memory had returned. But she didn't remember much of Saturday except Blair leaving for work and then waking up at the hospital wondering how she got there.

She met with a neurologist who informed her that the medication she had been taking was restricting blood flow to her brain and had caused her severe migraine and memory loss. He prescribed her new medications, physical therapy for her neck (from a previous injury) and recommended a neurosurgeon specializing in that particular part in the brain. She was sent home that night. And has made a 100% rebound. My mom has already submitted her CT scans and MRI results to the University of Utah neurology department and she should be hearing back from them within the next week or so.

As much as it should make me angry that doctors can prescribe medicine that restricts blood flow to a persons brain. I'm so grateful that it happened. Without this horrible reaction occuring, my mom may never have found out about this tumor until it was too late. Fortunately, the doctors are saying this is a very slow growing tumor.

The whole thing was pretty intense. But I felt nothing but comfort through out this whole ordeal. It's hard not worry sometimes. I just don't think I could handle being 25 and having already lost both of my parents. That's the worst part about being an only child. When you lose a parent there is no one else there dealing with it like you are. It's just you. Of course my husband would be a great support but I just don't think it would be quite the same.

My mom has such a great attitude about everything. She says she knows everything is going to be alright. Plus she has already tried to pull the "brain tumor" card on me.  I guess she figures if she can beat cervical cancer and kick ulcerative colitis in the butt (who needs a colon anyway?)... a little brain tumor is nothing, right?

I'll let you know more as I know more.

songs

I teach the 6/7 year olds in my wards Primary. This past Sunday in sharing time we were practicing for the Primary Program that is this coming Sunday. One of the songs we are singing is, "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus". And I just about lose it every time we sing it. My kids think I'm nuts since they are bored off of their behinds from singing this song over and over. But how can you not get emotional every once in a while when listening to this sweet simple message?

I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

Chorus 
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

Chorus 
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

Hair Today....

I need a change. My hair is driving me nuts. It has reached hippie status. It's to my waist and the ends definitely need a trim. My long hair is becoming a burden. It's constantly getting in my way and in my food. Gross. I know if I cut it I will be sad because it's looong and taken me awhile to get this looong. But I need CHANGE people! CHANGE!! So What should I do?....

I know this isn't the most flattering picture of me. However, I entered a contest to win a makeover and I needed a picture where I didn't look fabulous but not so hideous that I didn't show potential... I feel like this picture says both? Maybe? Or maybe it just says "scary". You choose.

Maybe I should keep my hair long but put more layers and add some bangs like this....

Or perhaps this medium length....

or maybe I can get some serious guts and just chop it all off...

Tell me what I should do. one, two, three.... GO!

Thoughts on a Thursday

The debate. I watched and I loved it. I don't know why but I love politics lately. I hate how stupid it makes people on Facebook though. I hate how disrespectful people can be when it comes to opinions.

I think sheets have an average life span of just over 3 years. Troy and I have only owned 2 pairs of sheets that we were given to us when we were married. Both have become thread bare and holey in the last month. Or maybe we're just really rough with our sheets? Now that didn't sound awkward at all....

I think that grasshoppers and praying mantis are two of the scariest bugs on earth (right after spiders). Both of which have been in my yard lately. A praying mantis was actually trying to climb on my foot yesterday and I screamed and ran inside.

If you are laughing at me, seriously, think about it. Grasshoppers can land on you at any moment and jump REALLY far. Praying Mantis are just evil.

I want to play a "walker" on the tv show The Walking Dead. That would be fantastic.

Speaking of, I am so excited for season 3! Too bad I no longer have cable.

I really wish it were a year from now.

How excited are you for Halloween? Can I get a whoop whoop!?

And.....

That's all I got.

Lame post signing off.

mindless musings

I absolutely hate shredding cheese. It is such a hassle. I also happen to loathe the saw dusty grossness of pre-shredded cheese. It is a conundrum.

I have learned to never get too comfortable as a mother. I thought we had moved out of the diaper blow out days. Until tonight when Izzie and I were snuggling on the couch watching Monsters Inc. and she happened to have EXPLOSIVE diarrhea all.over.me.

The other night I had a dream that I had quadruplets (3 girls, 1 boy) and I was trying to figure out how to breastfeed them all. Waking up from a dream never felt so good.

Izzie's new favorite word is "ummmm". It's kind of hilarious to hear her use it correctly.

I swear everyone and their dog just announced they are expecting baby number 2.

Speaking of baby number 2 everyone keeps asking me when we will have another baby. Especially the daycare ladies at work. I will have another one when the thought of having 2 kids to look after doesn't cause me so much stress my eye balls want to explode.

Good news for those of you who know about my "problem".... I think it's finally fixed! woot woot!

is there anyone out there who has some free time and some good statistics skills? I need some help with a work thing.

I have a horrible addiction to chocolate ice cream with peanut butter milk shakes. It was a habit I started when I was running regularly. Then my jogging strollers tire blew out so I stopped running. But I keep devouring milk shakes. I think you can guess how this could turn out.

Someone please come fix the tire on my jogging stroller before I have to be rolled out of the house.

Some time in the very near future I am going to attempt my very first pot roast. I am excited!  I don't have a pot roast recipe so feel free to share them with me.

I think I finally figured out what I want to be when I "grow up" but I'm not going to share it with you just yet. Just in case I change my mind.

I shall sign off with a quote from one of my favorite movies Julie & Julia...

"What is it that you really like to do?"
"Eat."

Gratitude

To put it lightly I have been a little ungrateful lately. 

Why? 

Why me?

Why this?

Why that?

I don't have enough.

All of these words had become regular thoughts in my head.

These thoughts left me feeling irritable, grumpy, depressed and tired.

My prayers had become nothing more than a mindless recital.

That is, if I even decided to pray that day. 

But I kept getting this nagging feeling. 

you know the one...

that little voice, that whisper

pray

just pray about it

Yesterday, I gave in. I prayed. I told God every selfish thought I had. 

I gave him my worries, my concerns.

I told him how helpless I felt.

And then I went to work and didn't think anything of it for the rest of the day.

Today however, I noticed something different.

Today was no different than any other day, 

But as I sat and watched Izzie play with her sidewalk chalk,

 I realized how much I enjoy my life. 

Honestly, I can't even describe to you the emotions that over came me as I played tic tac toe by myself and Izzie scribbled on the patio furniture. 

I feel so blessed that I am able to stay home with Izzie the majority of the day.

I know that if I worked more it would take away a lot of financial stress,

But I love knowing that I'm the one who taught her what a cow says.

I taught her how to lick sauce off of her fingers

I taught her how to say "shoes".

I have been blessed with so much.

I have a fantastic husband, a beautiful healthy daughter, a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my cupboards.

What more do I need?

lately

I have fallen off of the blogging planet. Apologies. But I guess I should only apologize if you missed me. If you didn't then... you're welcome.

Izzie is 19 months now. That is almost 20 months. Which is practically 2 years. I'm having a minor freak out. Has it really almost been 2 years? BAH.

Who needs a ladder when you can climb up the slide instead?

She is everywhere these days. And she has an attitude to boot. I call her the tantrum queen because I have to deal with a tantrum about every hour. She screams, throws things, runs away, scratches and she bites. BITES.ALL.THE.TIME. She bites hard enough to leave marks. And I am at my wits end. Help me please.

Now, so that you don't think I have given birth to a demon baby {even though some days I feel like I have}... Here are the good things.

Zoo Day August 2012

She dances every chance she gets. And she has the best moves. If I could figure out how to post a video of said moves I totally would. Just imagine a little girl spinning in circles with ballerina arms and random head bobs. She loves to growl and pretend to be "scary". She jumps out at random strangers and growls at them. Most people don't know how to react. She also loves to jump. If I ever hear her say "wah, twooo,...." I have to quickly turn around and catch her before she says "weeee!"She randomly likes to jump from places when we aren't looking. For instance, concrete stairs, couches, pools, etc... Luckily, I am basically cat woman and have awesome reflexes. I have saved her from breaking her neck at least a dozen times. She loves babies and is usually toting around her own baby everywhere. She takes her baby for walks, covers it with blankets and gives it kisses too. It's incredibly sweet and I am surprised at how early these gender roles have kicked in. I never even taught her these things!

Mid growl

She still loves her binky. And I have tried taking it away during the day time when she is awake but it has been a battle. And mostly because Troy doesn't think it's a big deal that she still likes to keep it in all of the time. I really don't want to have that kid who has her binky until she is well past binky-hood but you've got to pick your battles. And you've never seen a kid go to kindergarten with a binky, right? please tell me I'm right.

Add caption

We went to the doctor recently and she is doing well and on track. She is in the 60-something percentiles for height and weight and 90's for her head {as always}. I am a little concerned about her speech because I don't think it's quite where it should be. The doctor said she should be saying between 20-30 words. She says about 20 but several of them are in her own kind of language. She says things like "Be-dah" {thank you}, "dah dah" {all done}, "shhh" {fish}. As well as some others. Troy says I worry too much. Hopefully that is true. I've never had kids before... is this normal?

Playing at the park with dad

The doctor also mentioned that Izzie probably has a food intolerance to something. She still has very wet #2 diapers just like an infant does. So I've been busy trying to eliminate several common intolerances from her diet to try and figure out what might be causing it.

Zoo Day

So that's Izzie for you in a nutshell. Troy and I have been busy with work and school. Troy just started fall semester today and in the next week or two I will never see him again because Junior Jazz is starting up for Fall. By the way if you know of anyone who loves basketball and needs a job send them to Troy. They are hiring right now!

Oh and I ran that 10k. I really did. I just haven't blogged about it. Maybe I will... one day.

Family pics June 2012

So consider yourself updated.

10k

Anyone remember this post from last year about my BHAG? 

well I never did run it. 

I just wasn't where I should have been mentally to run 6 miles. 

Well folks... on tuesday I am doing it. I am finally completing my BHAG one year later. 

I am running the deseret news 10k. 

I am signed up and everything. I'm a little nervous. 

But mostly really excited! 

I've been training hard and I am ready! 

cross your fingers that I beat Troy.

That's part two of my goal.

He just doesn't know it.

Izzie's 1st Birthday... 6 months later

I lost my camera shortly after Izzie's first birthday. Never did I think to look in our video camera side pocket for it... We never pull out the video camera. Sadly, we only use our phones for videos. Izzie's birthday was super fun... Maybe not for her. She didn't seem to like it one bit.  She was still in a stranger danger phase (even though 95% of the attendees were not strangers). We had the party at the rec center {where I work} which explains the ugly yellow cinder block walls. I know the party wasn't anything special. Sometimes Pinterest makes you feel like a failure of a mom for not throwing a lavish get together. But it was fun and delicious all same!

So in case you weren't there to celebrate with us (or maybe you were but you'd like to reminisce...) Here are the pictures.

Cake pops my awesome boss made! They say "Izzie"

I am no party decorator... 

Strawberry and Vanilla Cupcakes

Both Grandmas

Trying to convince Izzie to eat her cake

Definitely not interested.... 

Cake Smash Fail

Thanks to those who came! Izzie loves you all equally.

I learned to drive

So once upon a time Troy and I got married and went golfing on our honeymoon. Worst idea of our entire marriage. Pretty sure Troy was rethinking his "I do's" the whole time. Long story short my ADD kicked in and I was done golfing by hole 4. And we still had 14 more holes to go. Troy has never invited me to go golfing with him ever again. For the record we have mini golfed. I enjoy that. 

These pictures were taken on our Anniversary last month.

I have always semi wanted to go to the driving range but never enough to actually ask Troy to take me. We went mini golfing for our anniversary at some place in Murray and they had this super cool balcony you could hit the balls off. So I said "Troy take me" and after some minor convincing we rented some clubs and he showed me how to "drive". Tiger Woods watch out. I can hit the ball OVER that black net thing. Yes that means my ball veered very much to the right. I think I nearly took Troy's life twice. But I really enjoyed myself! And I think Troy did too. He enjoyed laughing at me when I would swing and miss and literally make myself spin around from force. 

Perhaps Troy and I can golf together on our 50th anniversary??? We'll see.

P.S. How hot does my husband look holding that club??? 

25

Today I am 25. TWENTY-FIVE. Oy vey. I don't know what it is about 25 but I thought turning 25 might surely kill me. 25 sounds old doesn't it? I have been alive for 2 1/2 decades... soon to be 3 decades. One quarter of a century old. Oy vey. (yes I already said that, I know. But in this situation it deserves repeating).

{source}

I guess at 25 I thought I would have it all figured out. Alas, I do not. Have grown ups always walked around pretending they know what they are doing when in reality they have no freaking clue? Because that is me every day. Please tell me I am not the only one!

So happy 25th to me! Or as I would actually prefer... happy 4th anniversary of my 21st birthday!

Drum roll please...

I have some super exciting and awesome news for all of you!

This is long awaited.

I can't wait to tell you.....


I am....



......


................


.............................



are you getting excited yet???

.....



.........




..............


..............


The new race director for the rec center!!!

Best news ever!! I've been working hard for several months now to get this new position and they just told me yesterday that I got it! I'm super stoked! Did you think I was pregnant? I was hoping I tricked you with my tomfoolery. Definitely not pregnant.

And you are now warned that from here on out 5 times a year I am going to bug ALL of you to come volunteer for races.

I don't know if any of you have ever lost someone close to you but those of you who have know that you have good and bad days. Most of the time I have good days. In fact, I have good months quite often. Something will happen that will remind me of my dad and I'll be just fine. I'll walk away with nothing more than a small pang of emptiness. Other times that emptiness seems to swallow me whole. Sometimes big things trigger it... like life events. My wedding, sealing, the birth of my daughter, her blessing day, etc... they all had hard moments where it was all I could do to keep myself together. But those were also moments of great joy and I think that helped a lot. Most of the time it's the little things that get me. Movies we used to watch together, someone smelled like him, a song.  Tonight is one of those nights. I don't think I'll ever understand how I can miss someone so much who I once was so angry at. Emotions are funny things.

On a lighter note... 3 posts in 3 days? What????

3 amazing years!

Yesterday Troy and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary!

I can't believe it's been 3 years since Troy and I became Mr. and Mrs. It seems like just yesterday we said I do and at the same time I feel like this should at least be our 5th anniversary instead. Maybe it's because our daughter is almost a year and a half? I've loved every second of this crazy ride and I'm so glad to have my partner in crime always by my side.

updates!

I've been so preoccupied with my life lately that I have not had time to blog about my little munchkin. Seriously between planning for the triathlon, the decathlon, the last week of school PE water games day plus my recent medical issues... I feel like I've fallen off of the grid. I am happy to report that my medical stuff seems to be going better. My doctor put me on a treatment and I seem to be getting better. I would tell you all about it but I PROMISE you would say T-M-I! So I will spare you the dirty details and tell you that so far things are getting better! No evasive procedures for me! {Fingers crossed everything keeps going well}

Wasn't I updating about Izzie and not me?? So sorry. Here is an update of Izzie complete with pictures from Troy's phone.

Seriously where did the time go??? She threw her first public tantrum the other day at Target because she wanted to carry the basket but it was too heavy for her so I tried to help her. She would NOT have it and threw herself on the ground and started screaming. I immediately picked her up and carried her football style to the check out.

 Her favorite word is "uh-oh" she says it any time she or anyone else drops something. "Whoa!" is also a favorite. She finally started saying "mama". Before when she was saying mama I think it was more babble than anything. She loves playing "Pee! Doo!" {peek-a-boo}. She knows where her head, mouth and toes are. She also says "Bye da!" no "bye ma!" yet... we will get there...we will get there! She also says her own version of thank you. Troy and I are the only ones who understand that one. She says "woof woof" anytime she sees a dog.

She is my little helper and wants to do every-thing. She tries to put away the dishes, sweep the floor, fold clothes, eat my food, etc... And as cute it is it drives me crazy because it takes me 10 times as long to do something.

I swear she is the smartest baby in the whole world. She does puzzles! They're just the wood puzzles and you put the pieces inside the cut out with the matching picture but she'll do like 3 puzzles at a time with all of the pieces out and she knows which pieces go where. She has a little trouble getting them fit but still. And don't tell me that all 16 month olds can do this because I don't care. She is still the smartest baby in the world.

She loves books and reading and going to the park. We don't take her to the park nearly enough because Troy and I are always switching off who is watching her depending on our work schedules.  She always longingly stares at the park across the street and I am just too tired to take her by the time I get home.

Izzie is really the best baby. Everyone always comments to us on how well behaved she is {minus the Target melt down}. She never wanders too far from us and she plays really well with other little kids. She's usually really good when we are out somewhere. It's when we are at home that her little attitude shows up. She will stomp her feet, get mad and scream when she doesn't get her way. Izzie never wants to eat in her high chair. Most of the time the only way I can get her to eat is if I let her walk around and come for bites of food when she feels like it. I can FEEL the bad habits forming!! She will NOT eat meat. The only meat she will eat are hot dogs and only if they are cooked on the grill. Anything else she will spit out.

 She cut out her second nap about a month ago. I miss it terribly. By dinner time she is super cranky but will not sleep. That was a sad day in the Jackson household for sure.

She keeps us on our toes. I mean it. She's always running off somewhere or scraping her knees or trying to throw my keys in the toilet. Honestly, I don't know what we'd do without her though. Izzie we love you so much! Thanks for being ours!

Favor please....

So I don't feel much like talking about it, but I do need a favor from any of you out there who feel like being kind. I'm going in to have some tests done tomorrow. Don't worry nothing serious. I'm just a little nervous about it. I need prayers, positive energy, good thoughts, Buddha belly rubbing, whatever it is you do... I just need some, k? Thanks.

Kids kill me

It's true, I mean that in more ways than one too. Kids kill me with their great sense of humor, they kill me with their thoughtlessness and sometimes... on days like today they kill me with their Christ like kindness. Today in one of my classes I witnessed something that was so touching to me. Something that I just want to tuck safely in to my memory forever. I know maybe to you it might seem insignificant but it touched my heart.

There is a boy in one of my classes named David. David is by far the best athlete in the class. He honestly is just great at pretty much every sport. He has been blessed with some wicked genetics that's for sure. He's well liked by all of his classmates, he's super cute, always willing to help me out and he's also kind.  I always have to remind my students that they need to include everyone even if they don't like someone. Today in class I let them have some free time. This is always when I have problems with my students because they just want to play with their friends.

David and his friends were playing the game elimination when one of the other boys in class came up and asked if he could join. This other boy is not very well liked because he has some issues. I even have a hard time keeping my patience with him sometimes. He is also not very athletic. After the boy asked I heard and saw the other boys in the group sort of groan and roll their eyes. However, I didn't need to step in to remind the group of my "include everyone" rule. David very quickly said, "Yeah! Come on!"He was so kind to this other boy. David cheered him on even though he wasn't very good. He even went easy on him so this other boy wouldn't get out of the game as fast, even though I heard the other boys whispering that they just wanted to quickly get him out. He made this other boy feel welcome and included even though no one else was willing to.

If I ever have a son I hope he turns out like David. I hope my daughter(s) marry men like that. How do you raise a son to be like that? David's mom where ever you are... great job. You have one amazing son.

Sometimes, with all that's going on in this crazy world with kids going to school with guns and bombs, I get worried. But as long as their are still kids out there like David... I think we'll be alright.

fresh food and caulk

I know the following post is a boring one... but suck it. It's my blog and shall blog about what I want.

If anyone is interested in watching yet another food documentary... I recommend "Fresh" it gave me the kick in the pants I needed to get back in to some of my food buying/eating habits I've been slacking on. {You can find it on netflix}. I've been striving to eat less processed foods and I am so glad that I have made this change in my life. I mean I am not 100 days of real food good but I am considerably better at my food choices. Because of these changes I no longer have to be on medicine for acid reflux! Which is awesome!

I never thought I'd be like this. I am the girl who grew up on overly processed convenience food pretty much my entire life. I honestly considered frozen skillet meals as "cooking" dinner. And now I cringe at the mere thought of my family eating half the things I used to consider as food.

And just to lighten the mood and maybe bring a little humor in to this post...

yesterday while I was having sunday dinner with my family I was telling my mom about the crack by the door in the kitchen where ants are coming in. I told her I needed to get some "caulk" for the door but instead of saying caulk I accidentally said "cock". And then being as mature as I am... I cracked up and couldn't stop laughing for a good 5 minutes.

easter, twilight, dreams

Troy went to bed at 9pm on a Friday night. How old man-ish of him, right? He does have to wake up at 3am tomorrow. So I guess I don't blame him.

I will be single-parenting this weekend, just as I do every conference weekend if anyone feels like coming over to hang out. {And this is the moment when all of those legit single parents roll their eyes at me. And rightfully so I might add}.

I read this the other day and I thought it was interesting. Especially after hearing about this ridiculous story from back in February. Not saying I agree with everything. I just merely thought it was interesting.

I'm watching Twilight on TV for the first time {what else am I supposed to do when my husband is in bed already?} And for reals people? What is this obsession with Rob Pattinson? I just don't get it.

I keep having these really bizarre-o dreams lately.

Conference is this weekend and I'm hoping I'll be able to stay awake. I can never stay awake during conference no matter how hard I try.

I can't wait until Easter is over because that means that Cadsbury Mini Eggs will be off the shelves. Then I can finally save myself from all of this gluttony I've been partaking in.

Ugly Betty is an amazing show. I watched all 4 seasons on Netflix more quickly than I am willing to admit.

Happy Conference!

Our life... through my camera phone

It's been quite awhile hasn't? I've been trying to stay away from the internet world {without much success}. I still read blogs but I've been trying to not waste hours upon hours like I used to. I wanted to work on being a more attentive parent. So this is what we've been up to the past few weeks as documented through my phone...





Lot's of silliness with our new favorite sunglasses. Walking all over the place. Oh yeah! I never mentioned she walks now! I can't even get an unblurry picture of her these days. Painting toe nails, her new favorite thing. She just won't sit still long enough for me to do all 10 and then I end up painting her foot. She brings me the nail polish though. Hiking in Moab, watching Troy cross the finish line for the Canyonlands Half Marathon {which he never even trained for but still managed a decent time...he's nuts!}. Making lots of messes, hair long enough for pig tails, and lots and lots of cuddling with dad with a sick Izzie. Darn Roseola!

I should really invest in a camera since apparently I am never going to find my trusty {and out dated} point and shoot any time soon. But if we're being honest my phone has more mega pixels than my camera. I know... totally pathetic. I'm cheap. What else can I say?

Just a few things I want to remember...
Izzie will pretty much only drink from a water bottle. She throws her sippy. She's a pro.
She plays peek-a-boo and {tries} to cover her eyes with her hands. They usually end up on the side of her face. She has the sweetest little voice that says "pee-do" while we play.
Izzie says "hi!" to strangers at the grocery story. I die from her cuteness every time.
She also says "wassat!" when she points at new things.
She high fives.
She ate 4 bowls of peas from the salad bar while we were in Moab.
She calls her blanket and her binky both "Bee!"
If she kisses Troy she almost always has to give me a kiss right after too.
She goes nuts when she sees a clementine. In fact, she ate 4 of them today...in a row.
In Moab after the race she kept wandering off trying to steal treats from all of the runners.
She is a bottomless pit.
She rests her little head on my shoulder when I carry her on my hip.

For reals... when did my little baby become a toddler who walks and talks and demands I feed her clementines???

Man oh man. I love this girl.

Tag!

I really love these kinds of posts... whenever someone I know does one I always hope that I get tagged. {I know, vain much?} And my loverly friend Mara tagged me! woot woot!

game rules:
1. post these rules.
2. post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.

Yep, this is probably my favorite picture of me...ever.

my 11 random things:
1. I'm obsessed with the sock bun lately. Except I'm still not very good at it yet.
2. My other current obsession as of late is emergency preparedness.
3. After 2 years of having a gross rash I was finally able to get some medicine to get rid of it. It's been awesome to be less itchy.
4. I hate doing the laundry
5. I have the greatest friends ever. Be jealous.
6. I bought pink pants this weekend. 2 pairs actually. I'm debating which ones I like most so I can return them.
7. Sometimes I think I'm ready for baby #2
8. Sometimes I think having one child is plenty :)
9. I cannot wait for summer to get here.
10. I loooove really long bubble baths.
11. Right now I am reading The Time Traveler's Wife.


My 11 questions for me from Mara:
1. what do you love most about your life? mi familia. I love that I have the opportunity to be a mom and to watch my little girl grow up. It's lots of work but so worth it!
2. pulp or no pulp? pulp. I love fresh o.j.
3. where/what was your most favorite trip you've been on? my honeymoon. Even though we didn't go anywhere super cool {st. george and vegas} It was the most relaxing week of my life. Just spending time with my cute husband.
4. if you had to pick one place to live for the rest of your life, where would it be? why? I'm going to go with St. George. I love it down there. It's close to family but far away enough and it's warmer down there. I hate winters.
5. list your top 3 favorite male/female celebs. Meryl Streep, Katherine Heigl and Emma Stone
6. what is something unique to you that not many others may know about? uhh... my pinky's are crooked.
7. what would your dream family be made up of? how many boys/girls? why? 3-4 kids. I still don't which I'd rather have right now. At least one boy. If it was 4 kids I'd go with 2 boys and 2 girls.
8. favorite movie? The Devil Wears Prada it always makes me feel good.
9. favorite kind of ice cream? toppings? Lunaberry Pistachio with Strawberries
10. what is one of the nicest things some has ever done for you? Is it sad that I don't know? Probably anyone who was there for me when my mom was really sick and in the hospital for weeks. It was hard.
11. why do you blog? because I want to :)

11 questions for you
1. Favorite food?
2. What's your biggest fear?
3. Who makes you laugh the most?
4. Heels or flats?
5. What did you want to be when you were little?
6. Who was your first kiss?
7. top 3 male/female celebs?
8. What is your favorite tv show?
9. Who do you look up to?
10. Favorite cookie?
11. why do you blog?

Tagged
Bekah Aldrich
Steph Amberboy
Heather Barclay

Kids say the darndest things part two

Oh the things kids say to me sometimes.... I can't help but crack up. They have absolutely nooo filter. None. Zilch.

"Mrs. Jackson, do you walk a lot? You look really healthy. I think you must walk a lot."

exactly one week later I got this comment from a 1st grader...

Boy: "Are you having a baby?"
Me: "Um...no"
Boy: "Oh. You look like it."

"Mrs. Jackson! I got an Xbox Kinect for Christmas! I got it from Santa. And I know it was from Santa because my mom hates video games!"

"Did you fart? It smells like fart in here." I promise I didn't far... just saying.

"This is like possibly the funnest game I've played in like, um... since Thursday!"

"I don't want to play that. ever. again. I hate this!"

This next comment came from a 6 year old with the most serious look and tone in her voice...
"Mrs. Jackson, you and I need to talk!" And then she proceeded to tattle.

2nd graders who break out in to song and dance singing "I'm sexy and I know it!"

If it weren't for moments like these through out my day I might go crazy.

I can tell you the exact day Izzie changed from a baby to a toddler. It was 4 days ago on her 13 month birthday. I mean it, I knew it just by the way she was acting. She was so whiny and getting in to ev-er-y-thing. And I thought this is it... here comes my toddler. And it's true. It hasn't been the same since. My little 13 month old stink bug still isn't walking. It still freaks her out. But she can crawl like nobody's business. I'm not too worried about her not walking yet. She'll do it when she's ready.

She can say, hi, bye, dada, mama, uh uh and she makes a barking type sound when she sees a dog. It's not really a bark... she just makes a really distinct sound when she sees a dog.

She loves animals. She pats her legs to try and get them to come to her. It's so cute.

Just yesterday she learned where her toes are. I can say "Izzie where are your toes?" and she can point to them.

She'll give you hugs and pat your back and say, "awww"

And some time within these past four days she's learned how to crawl up on to the couch. Nothing is safe anymore.

She's been doing this for awhile but if you say "yay!" She'll clap her hands.

If she's doing anything she's not supposed to do... like say playing with the toilet brush... she'll say "uh uh" and shake her whole body side to side. She can't shake her head no yet. She she just shakes her whole body. It's pretty funny.

If she likes whatever she is eating she'll really loudly say "umm umm yumm" and then lick her plate.

And the not so fun things... if she gets mad at you for taking something away, or if you aren't paying attention to her like she wants she'll bang her head on the floor. I'm not sure how to get her to stop doing this. I've been trying to ignore it. Oh and I think we might have a biter on our hands. Sometimes she bites too. Oy vey.

I guess you have to take the good with the bad though. Oh well. I love watching her grow up!

Valentine's Day

Troy and I like to keep things low key on Valentines Day.

For the majority of the day we had to spend love day apart because of conflicting work/school schedules.
So we decided to show a little love solidarity by getting special Valentine's shirts to wear.
What do Troy and I love right now?

Zombies.

And nothing says Valentine's Day like zombie t-shirts, right?

Underneath all of the brains & brains on his shirt it says, "zombie meal time."
My shirt says, "If I were a zombie I'd eat you first" inside a big pink brain.

We're so romantic.

Troy was able to sneak away from work for a little bit to take me and Izzie on a mini date to our second latest obession.
Fro-yo from Orange Leaf.
Have you been? It's divine.
It's down the street from our house.

I hope everyone spent V-day doing things they love with those they love!

let her eat cake

So we're going to pretend like I haven't lost my camera again and I've gotten around to posting about Izzie's birthday already...mmmk?

Remember how Izzie's birthday cake smashing was an epic fail? Picture my shy baby girl in front of 20+ of our closest family and friends with a cake in front of her... frozen stiff in fear. That girl wouldn't even touch her cake due to stage fright. I even force fed her a little frosting hoping that might encourage her a bit. Nope. She spit it out.

Uncle Nicholas turned 17 this weekend and we had a little party for him. Thank goodness for camera phones. I think Izzie' likes birthdays... just not hers.

Yes she did eat straight out of the ice cream carton

Loving Nicholas' cake

Because every one knows that cake tastes better with a little toe jam

messy girl!

Sink bath @ grandma's = cake success

one year pics!

Izzie had her pictures taken by the amazing Paige Davis for her first birthday. Check out Paige's website if you haven't already. She is stellar and you should hire her. You will also see Izzie's picture as a link to visit the website. My daughter is just that adorable.

We got some great ones. But if you've ever met my darling child you know that if she doesn't know you she gets shy and just stares at you. She made Paige and I work for the cute smiley shots.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures. Please don't copy them {as in ctrl + c kind of copy}. I shrunk the images and everything. She's all mine and I'd like her to stay that way :)

It got a little rough for her towards the end. She was a great sport though.

Love you bizzie!