Five glorious years!

Last Thursday, May 12th, was our 5th wedding anniversary. I have been bummed lately thinking about the fact that I would probably never find our wedding pictures. You see, the photographer who did our professional pictures used old-fashioned film... and I'm pretty sure that film got destroyed by the heat while sitting in a box that was never supposed to be in the garage. Being in the Young Women organization of our ward, many opportunities have presented themselves to bring my wedding pictures to show the girls. Every time, I feel sad! I want to show "my" girls the pictures of my Temple wedding... especially since there is almost no other decision that influences your life more profoundly than how you marry!

So, on our anniversary morning as Jason drove off for work, an idea popped in my head... what if the photos my dear friend Julie took at our wedding reception were on my old laptop from college? Pictures from the reception are better than no pictures at all! A glimmer of hope sparked in me and I ran to open the old computer, praying that it would turn on. Fortunately it had been stored with its power cord. My glee quickly turned to panic when I realized that my computer had been password protected, and I had NO IDEA what the password was. I never even remembered having a password and figured that was something that had come about in the months that Jason attempted to rescue my ailing computer long ago. A quick call to the man of the hour revealed that no one on planet earth knew the password.

Dang it!

I tried every variation of every password I remember having ever in my life...

nothing. UGH! I could feel the anticipation mounting as I glared at that password protected screen, searching the recesses of my mind to no avail!

For some reason, all other responsibilities fled my mind and all I could think of was getting in that dang computer. It seemed to me the most important task in the world.

And then at last... some 45 minutes later, a word popped into my head: cleo. I had practically forgotten all about Cleo, my cat. That was the password! The second my desktop appeared, there it was! The file entitled WEDDING PICS lay right before my eyes! As I clicked it open, a glorious realization hit. Not only had Julie taken pictures at our reception, but because she wanted to learn some picture taking skills from a professional, she had followed our photographer around the Temple taking pictures of everything earlier in the day as well! THANK YOU JULIE!!!!!!! (It should be noted that Julie was friends with the professional photographer, Karen, who happily agreed to let Julie follow her around and learn from her)

So although the lighting isn't always perfect, I am just thrilled to have wedding pictures in my very own possession! This discovery pretty much made my day... and I just wanted to share. Unfortunately, blogger was down the ENTIRE day on Thursday. Better late than never, though. These are just a few pictures of me and my handsome groom just 5 years ago. Weird how those 5 years seem kind of like a lifetime all on their own!

The Reception... as you can see, I was more than a little embarrassed by the whole garter belt thing!So glad I married the right guy at the right time in the right place!

THE FAM

Father and SonCan't take too many pictures of Sophie!

Weston is one handsome little dude!

Proof that sometimes it gets downright cold, even in Vegas!What I love about this picture is that it actually happens spontaneously in real life. Sometimes they just give each other a big ol' hug! They really do love each other. :)

Gifts from my hubband

Yes, I really did mean to write "hubband." Don't ask me why or how it got started, but at some point Jason started referring to himself as my hubband. I think it is the lengthened form of "hubby," but I am not sure. All I know is that it has now become a term of endearment, and since I am never more endeared to my loving husband than when he brings me gifts (he he he), I thought it an appropriate post title!

My birthday was back in June, but since that is Jason's busiest time of year, it is rarely celebrated in spectacular form (much to my chagrin). This year, I wanted something very specific. Well, Jason set aside a sum of money and has searched for the last 5 months for this particular item. Last Tuesday was the lucky day, and I couldn't have been more thrilled!

What is inside this gigantic box you ask?Not only is it the most comfie chair ever made, it is the only one of its kind I have ever seen that was made in this decade. You see, not only is it a cushy rocker, it both rocks AND swivels! Why is it so difficult to find a rocker/swiveler? This is the ideal nursing chair because if there's company I can just turn the chair around! And if I need to keep an eye on Weston (and seriously, when do I ever not need to keep an eye on that kid?), I can swivel around at will without interrupting Sophie.

They have chairs like this in every mother's lounge I have ever used, except they all look like they've been around since the 70's. I had almost given up hope that such a thing still existed, so when this chair was discovered - neutral color and all - there was no question that it was meant for me! Tonight as I sat rocking my sweet Sophie in my arms, I wondered how I ever got along without that chair. Then my thoughts turned to her. As she lay there all snuggled up to me, I couldn't help but notice the peaceful expression on her face, and think what a joy it was to bring such comfort to this little angel. I thought of how she will grow up and one day become a mom herself. It occured to me that she will work hard, and that her life will likely be a busy balancing act, just as mine is now. I love to talk to my babies when no one is around, so I took this occasion to share my thoughts with her. I told her that she had plenty of work ahead in this life, but that for now she could just rest in my arms.
I'm sure there was a day when I sat down to relax without thoughts of grocery lists, things to be cleaned, projects to be finished, books to be read, and problems to find answers to - but I can't remember when that was. Probably before I became a mom!

So while you can, rest little Sophie girl! Cherish these moments my sweet baby, for I can assure you that this blissful phase will not last long. Lynette took this darling picture when Sophie was only a week old. Already she has practically doubled in size!

To end where I began, I must admit that I am one lucky lady. I have an awesome hubband, too. He gave me these roses recently to remind me just how awesome he really is. (Or maybe he gave them to me to thank me for being so awesome?) Whatever the reason, it made me happy!

Only a Man...

Imagine taking a large mirror, and throwing it from the roof of your house. Think of the sound created by that mirror as it hits your driveway, shattering into a million pieces.

Now, add a few fingernails scratching a chalk board.

Add a very LOUD clap of symbols to the mix, and turn up the volume on all three.

That is pretty much the sound that Weston's new toy sword makes. Who, you ask, would purchase such an offensive toy?

A man - of course!

Jason got it at the San Gennaro Feast, an Italian Festival that is really just an overpriced carnival with overpriced Italian Food. He was there selling sparklers, poppers, and other such novelty items.

On the last night of the Festival Jason returned home sometime around 1:00 AM. He was SO excited to show me the cool toy that he had for Weston - he just had to get it out and demonstrate right then and there (I was half asleep, mind you).

I almost had a heart attack when I heard the noise it made! I wasn't just worried that it had awakened one (or both) of the kids, but that they were terrified - or worse yet, deaf!

Now, in defence of my husband, I have to say that he had no idea how loud it really was since he got it at a carnival.

Fortunately, Weston LOVES the sword, so it keeps him occupied for long periods of time...

It was difficult to get any clear pictures since I couldn't get Weston to pose for me... he was too busy chasing the dog around the back yard with that silly, deafening, plastic sword! The poor dog has nightmares, I'm sure.

Just Three Years Ago...

Jason and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary on Tuesday. I really wanted to find some cute pictures from that day, but quickly realized they are all in storage at the moment. That didn't prevent me from taking a trip down memory lane anyway though! Just before we were married, my mom and I went to London on "business." (Why the quotes? Because we ended up doing almost no business at all!) Here we are with one of my mom's dear friends, Hannah. I can't help but thinking that I looked younger. Please everyone, lie to me and tell me I look EXACTLY the same now! This next picture makes it clear why you'd have to lie to tell me that: Here I am on that same trip with another lovely friend outside her home. I know this is a little self-indulgent, but I'm sharing this picture to say, "holy cow I was skinny!!" Is there any hope of regaining that figure after baby no. 2? I'm feeling pretty motivated right now, but I have a feeling that when post-birth exhaustion sets in, working out will be dead last on my list of priorities.
* sigh *

Back to the engagement... this picture was taken the night Jason asked me to marry him. He gave me a gorgeous diamond necklace before we went out that night in hopes that I wouldn't be suspicious he was about to pop the question.

It didn't work, but seriously, is there such a thing as receiving too much diamond jewelry in one night? Working on wedding invitations... aren't we cute?Goofing off:I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this picture, but then I realized Jason was not, in fact, helping with the dishes. He was just hanging out with me while I did them... gee, not much has changed! :)Our first place together... moving in:Enjoying a Sunday afternoon in my mom's beautiful backyard:

She actually didn't have anything in her yard but dirt until we got married... I guess our impeding reception was just the impetus she needed to go for it. This is what her backyard (and I use that term loosely) looked like before she had it landscaped for our wedding:

A lot has changed since then, but my happiness with Jason is not one of them. My love for him continues to grow... just look at that loveable face!

Best hubby ever

For Mother's Day, Jason told me he would make me whatever I wanted for dinner. Why did I say pizza? It is certainly not the most elegant dish. But after 10 years of not eating wheat, I have yet to find an edible pizza crust... and that is a LONG time to not eat one of your favorite foods!!

My husband is not a cook, he is a chef. He can do anything in the kitchen, so I knew I was in for a real treat. Just look how delicious the pizza turned out: okay, so you really can't tell how amazing it was by looking at a picture, but I am telling you, it was nothing short of divine! We also had a beautiful salad, artichoke (which I constantly crave while pregnant), grilled corn, and grilled Ahi Tuna. The grilled fish was made especially for my mom, because that was her main entre of choice for mother's day. So not only did Jason create a perfect feast for me, he went out of his way to spoil my mom too. Jason's mom came over for dessert a little later, and we all pigged out again! :) Oh... and I received these gorgeous flowers too. The lillies didn't start opening up until the next day, just look! I wish I could capture their intoxicating aroma and post it on my blog too, but I guess you'll just have to imagine.

And while on the glorious subject of Mother's Day, I thought I'd post this picture of my with my mom. I came across it the other day - what a happy memory! We were in London for a quick trip shortly before Jason and I got married.

I am a blessed lady, and am grateful for my amazing mom. I used to think we weren't anything alike, but being a mom has enlightened me as to just how similar we really are. I hope all of you moms were spoiled rotton and pampered shamlessly on mother's day. You deserve it!!!

Sidewalk Artistry

The other day we got out the sidewalk chalk that Aunt Shae-Leigh gave Weston for his birthday. After a few minutes of drawing flowers and other girlie things (I guess I never learned how to do man-doodles), Weston had already lost interest.

Then, along came daddy (who was home for lunch), and boy did they have a good time drawing cars together...

The finishing touches...

Looking with satisfaction at their masterpiece...

Giving Daddy a kiss before he left to head back to work...

I love moments like these... they make things like unmopped floors and piles of laundry seem a little less important!