rise and shout the cougar is out!

 out of Utah that is....

April 20, 2012 Jeremy graduated from BYU!

And it's official {we got the diploma in the mail last week}.  It was kind of a sigh of relief because mr. smarty pants decided to be lazy during finals week and turn in a paper for his final project that he actually wrote last semester.  Same professor and everything.  The professor didn't think it was very funny, but Jeremy passed phew and so it's official.  We're off to dental school! 

hip hip hurray!  

 looking so fancy fine in his graduation attire

Both of our parents were able to make it and we're just so glad they could!

Jeremy's sister, Rachel, and brother-in-law, Miles, and their youngest daughter Katelyn also drove a whole two hours (I think) one way to see Jeremy walk across the stage.  It was really great seeing them.

Us with our AMAZING parents.  The next day they helped packed up our apartment and loaded up our stuff and did it all with out complaining.  We couldn't have done it with out them!

 I love our little family!

These two are just the GREATEST!!!

 classic graduation kiss

It was such a wonderful couple of days celebrating Jeremy and all of his hard work.  It still seems weird to me that we're done with our time at BYU.  I must admit that I had a hard time fighting back tears as I watched him file in with all the other graduates.  Tears because I'm so proud of him and all he's doing.  Tears because this part of our life is over.  And a few selfish tears because I was feeling sorry for myself that I wouldn't get to graduate from this wonderful University, too.  

Big news though.  Everyone is always asking me what I plan to do about school.  And the truth is I REALLY want to graduate.  My plan had been to transfer to another school (maybe) or take online classes til I finished but I just didn't know and I figured I'd figure it out after we got settled in Maryland.  The other morning, however, I woke up and just felt like I really wanted and could get a bachelor's of general studies with an emphasis in family life  through BYU Independent Study taking online classes. That is what I almost majored in before photography so I have a lot of the classes done.  I won't be able to apply for the program for two years, but I can take online classes during those two years and finish up my generals.  I'm really really excited about this.  And the best news is I can go to Provo and walk with a graduating class! How awesome is that?!  So here's to the next few years of being a mom and a part-time student!

And it's official my friends: I'm back from the dead.  You know you're lazy when you can't even get yourself to type!  I was so sick all last week, like really nasty cold and *shudder* not fun.  But I think I'm really back this time.  Thanks for sticking around!  

...sick

I woke up Monday morning not feeling very great.  But I thought, hey, it's just a little cold, I'll be fine.  It progressed through the day and Tuesday and apparently today to the nasty-est cold you ever did have.  I've been blowing my nose a lot.  And sleeping a lot.  And if a bad cold isn't enough I also get really achey from time to time. I've had a headache for about 48 hours now... ugh... needless to say I'm not feeling very creative right now.  So until I'm feeling better you probably won't hear from me.  sorry.  

hunger games: better late than never...?

oh hunger games.  I finally got to see you.  husband and I have had our eyes on you for a long time. We just don't love you enough to spend $20 big ones to go see you.  So we waited until we found a Regal Cinemas because it just so happens that we have a gift card.  Last little gift card from our wedding {almost a year and a half ago!} But dear hunger games, you were worth the wait.  You were wonderful and exciting with just enough gore to make it like the book and not make me loose my cookies.  Also you made me cry.  Being a mom makes me cry a lot more than I used to.  And I have to admit I don't think it's hormones anymore.  I think I just officially now have a stronger connection to my more emotional self. I realize the hype is kind of over and done, but there ya go.  We probably won't see the Avengers for like three months. Actually we'll probably red-box-it {have we made that a verb yet? well I just beat you all to it}.  

oh and hey readers.  All beautiful 27 of you.  I realize I've been kind of MIA the past few weeks... almost month.  Turns out packing and finals and moving and life and keeping up with sibling soccer/football games and music events etc. etc. etc. can keep you busy and make you want to turn out the light at 9 o'clock and hope your baby sleeps forever.  How does my mom do it? 

{a little sneak peak at our trip to arches}

BUT I'm back.  Or I hope to be ha.  And I have so many fun things to share with you.  Like graduation and vacation and birthdays and mother's day and oh you guys we're gonna have fun.  Thanks for sticking around.  And hey I've been keeping up with all of your wonderful blogs so no worries there.

little einstein

I mentioned the other day in this post that Madeline has really taken to the Baby Einstein videos.  While packing I found some fake glasses I used for halloween a couple years ago and thought Madeline might look cute in them.  I was right.

love that last one.  We're off to Arches National Park for the next few days and then its home to Washington for most of the summer! hip hip hooray! Pray that we'll have a good baby during all this driving....

bad mom?

If I showed you a picture of our apartment right now you would see one sad sight. Boxes are stacked under and around the kitchen table. Packing tape has made its residence in more than one place. Stacks of junk line the walls. Trash is lined up by the door ready to be taken out.  The walls are bare making the cinder blocks seem more cinder-blocky and less homey. Furniture is lying in disassembled piles on the floor. Miscellaneous items are strewn here and there and three very tired and confused people are ready to be done.  

We're moving this week.  

Boy if I thought moving was hard the last time around I was wrong.  Because moving across the country and moving across town are two different things.  And moving with out a baby and moving with a baby are also two very different things.  

I've found that its nearly impossible to get anything done with a baby on my hip.  Little hands seem to want to help with everything.  She really does mean well and for the most part she's happy.  But it still seems that time goes by faster than I can get anything done.  

And so I pulled out the big guns.  I gave in to Baby Einstein.  I really don't want Madeline to grow up watching a lot of tv.  We've tried hard to make sure it doesn't happy too often.  But this was my last resort.  So I propped the babe (as her daddy calls her) up against some pillows in our bed and set my laptop in front of her and much to my relief surprise she sat there fascinated for a whole half hour.  

HAL-LE-LU-JAH.  

Now the trick is to not prop her up in front of the lap top all day every day...  but every once in a while is ok, right?

happy weekending!

first shoulder ride

Jeremy gave Madeline her first shoulder ride the other day. 

 She kinda loved it....

"mmmm... hair"

"Take this daddy-o"

"Oh I'm not supposed to spit up here/now?"

"shhh.... don't tell dad. tee heehee"

"Mom stop laughing he's gonna realize what I did!"

"Oh well.  He can't do anything about it now!"

"I'm in trouble aren't I..."

"Well I guess I'll slather it up in his hair while I'm still up here!"

{notice it running down Jeremy's ear and shirt and Madeline's foot ha}

"la la la la la"

Look at the camera,  "See mom clean face now!"

"Back to business"

Happy baby who may be just a bit smug

.....he kinda didn't love it so much.  

Weird that he didn't like that whole getting spit up on thing.

Moral of the story?  Don't give babies shoulder rides right after they eat.

They may rub spit up into your hair/shirt/ear.

thoughts

Last night came across a blog that is authored by a woman who is a very talented photographer and mother of four boys.  At first I was simply in awe at her beautiful talent.  I'd love to take pictures like her one day. But as I continued to explore her website and read more about her, I came to understand that her youngest son had passed away at a very young age after contracting Pertussis, more commonly known as whopping cough. As I read her personal account of their loss and the way their family has worked through this crucible tears streamed down my face.  I can't imagine what it's like to lose a child.  

When I was in my early teens my aunt gave birth to a little boy who didn't live longer than a couple of hours.  He had developed a condition before he was born that caused his brain to develop outside of his skull.  They knew he wouldn't live long; and yet she still carried him through the duration of pregnancy, gave birth to him and said goodbye.  I remember quite vividly the night he passed away.  I remember my mom explaining to me all that had happened.  As I laid in bed that night my sobs were uncontrollable. I prayed to God pleading for Him to comfort my aunt and uncle as they began a journey that would change their lives forever.  Being a mother myself now it's even harder for me to put myself in their shoes.  I can't imagine not being able to hold Madeline in my arms.  To have my body ache for hers but not be able to see her, hold her, watch her grow and learn. 

While I hope I never have to experience something like this, I'm grateful for The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am so eternally grateful for the Plan of Salvation.  I know that both of these mothers will see their children again.  Sometimes its hard not to live in the fear that one day I might lose my favorite little girl.  And while I have no intention of taking any time with her for granted, I'm trying not to focus on what might happen and just enjoy living life to it's fullest with my two favorite people. 

being a mom

It seems like growing up from time to time I'd hear my mom mention to a friend that motherhood is all worth it.  That it's gratifying and wonderful and worth all the work.  I thought I knew what that meant.  And then I had a baby.  I can't even explain what a wonderful privilege it is to be a mom.  I love my little girl with all my heart.  Even though there are lots of sacrifices that have to be made (clean kitchen, personal hygiene, sleep, body image, money, space, time) she is so worth it!  Sometimes I go into her room at night and I just watch her. I watch her little chest move up and down and I listen to her even breathing and occasional sigh. Other times I'll see a picture of her.  A picture I took and that I've seen many times and my heart starts beating faster and faster overwhelmed by the unconditional love I feel for her and then it just stops.  And I take in that moment.  That moment of peace and quiet where I can ponder how lucky I am.  How lucky I am that my Heavenly Father saw fit to bless me with my beautiful Madeline.  I ponder birth and life.  Time and eternity.  I marvel that I can love one little person so much; then I marvel at how much my Heavenly Father must love me.  

And for a little comic relief (especially if you're having one of those days)

here's a video that just might make you pee your pants.  

Also, I'm not ready to be a mother of two.  I'm quite enjoying 

just one little baby that can't crawl or walk or get into much trouble quite yet.

Hard to imagine my days filled with errands and lunches and school, etc.

But I'm sure that day will be here before I know it.

Easter Weekend

We went down to Orangeville, Utah for Easter weekend.  It was so great to spend some time with two of my favorite people, Jeremy's grandparents.  If the world was full of people like them there'd be no problems in our world.  They live a simple life.  Grandma makes their bread; they eat from their garden all summer long; service is something they do daily whether it's helping out members of their ward or spending the afternoon indexing; selfish isn't in their vocabulary; they live the gospel and cling to it's truths; and they are happy.  How grateful I am to have them as examples in my life. 

I hope we have a picture like this of Jeremy and I someday.  Not too soon, but someday.

Madeline enjoyed meeting these ''great''-grandparents for the first time.

{she was in grandma's arms the whole two days}

Love the matching expressions ha

Sitting on Grandpa's lap

"Look at this awesome gold thing!"

such a happy baby :)

We sure loved visiting Grandma and Grandpa!  They had so many inspiring stories to share with us about their lives.  I need to spend more time with old folks and learn from them.  They really have a lot of great stuff to share!

Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend and really got to reflect on the life, teachings, suffering and resurrection of Christ.  How blessed we are to have Him as our Savior and Redeemer.  He lives.

family outing to IKEA

Last night we took a family outing to a place we've been saying we'd go since we moved to Utah two years ago. It was so refreshing to get out of our teeny tiny apartment, be together, and talk about life past school and work and money (which is life right now...).  But last night as we strolled through the miles and miles of IKEA, we talked about our future.  Our kitchen, our bedroom, the kids rooms, the living room and family room.  The hubby's office, my craft room. Our mudroom/laundry room.  We dreamed. And I loved every minute of it.  We don't go on family outings enough.  

Madeline: OH MY GOODNESS I'M SO EXCITED! MOM NEVER LETS ME SIT AT THE TABLE!!!!! AND I HAVE MY OWN CHAIR AND MY OWN DISHES! AHHHH!

She knows she's cute

Madeline and Mommy

oooooh.... look at that light! And this little recliner that's just my size is so cool, too!

Do you ever look at a picture of your baby, and your heart starts beating a little faster because this beautiful little person that you created is so cute, and so perfect, and so yours that you just don't even know what to do with all those feelings?  Well, I love our baby. That's all.

Weirdest recliner/desk chair ever.

M: I don't like it....

Second weirdest chair ever

baby baby

M: Ooooh... daddy your wallet is gonna be hurting after mom gets this HUGE closet someday!

M: I sit in egg chairs and put my feet together because I'm that flexible.

M: Also, I'm really cute.

(this was a kids chair and the white part at the top totally folded all the way down so you were completely hidden in the chair.  I don't know how I felt about it...)

Best $1 low-fat soft serve yogurt cone I've had in a while.  Thank you IKEA.

And surprisingly we made it out before closing.  Half an hour before closing.  Jeremy announced that we're going to have to build a house someday because we both want such specific things.  I didn't argue.