from us to you...

HAPPY Fall...and Halloween!

...from us to all of you...

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Jaxson is practicing up on his ROAR today.

He's going to be the best TIGER on the block!

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Stay tuned for hilarious pictures of his growl and clawing actions!

Maybe a video will accompany them as well...if I'm super ambitous:)

...to prove we KNOW it's Fall...

We've been a tad bit busy this season.

Example:

I knew it was October...

--- BUT ----

I was just informed that Halloween is in 48 hours......

approximately 24 hours ago:)

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Good thing I purchased Jaxson's costume 3 months ago when life was simple and I had nothing better to do than dream of dressing him up. Oh...those were the days:)

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He MAY get to go trick or treating if we're lucky....

and can stain an entire staircase at the speed of light:)

(yes- I will be devastated if this occurs, but unfortunately it is my reality)

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We have not participated in A SINGLE FALL activity this year...which is so unlike me.

So today between errands...we made a pitstop.

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I had 30 minutes to spare...

so I left my phone in the car and we picked some pumpkins for carving!

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(I just realized while typing this post...that finding time to CARVE them may be yet another dilemma:)

The good news:

He found the perfect one!

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...and even though he was sick with a slight temperature, running nose and extremely tired...

He was instantly in heaven!

He was so happy to spend time with me...it made me bawl like a baby for a good 15 minutes.

(this was a nice moment...because he spent the majority of the day begging for my good friend and his babysitter MARCIE:)

It also made me realize something.

A child ONLY needs love and attention:)

He doesn't need a nice house, new toys, or darling apparrel. He doesn't care about anything but quality time and attention!

I've thought hard about working or pursuing several "hobbies" of mine after we move and finally get settled. However, I decided this afternoon that JAXSON and MOTHERHOOD will be my full-time job and most favorite hobby.

He is such a goofball (as you can see) and I am proud to be his mama:)

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He kept saying

"THANKS SO MUCH MOM! LET'S GET DADDY ONE TOO, OK!"

"OH MY GOODNESS...OH MY GOODNESS!"

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There was our one and only FALL outing!

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He loved it...I documented it...

and this is proof we "KNOW" it's Fall:)

(and that Fall 2009 actually happened)

(Oh---how I miss taking pictures and spending afternoons with my hysterical 2 year old)

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WINTER IS GOING TO AWESOME

(this is my attempt at being optimistic)

jaxson--isms and Jamael....

I will start with Jamael...and save the best for last....(my hilarious Jaxson:)

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I leave my house tonight... (the one that is still under construction and therefore has no electricity, toilets, heat, etc) and it is late...like usual. I am dreading the daily drive home from Layton. I think to myself "I wish Krispy Kreme was open right now. That is the ONLY thing that could make this drive bareable."

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Instead I swing into Flying J. I walk in and am looking for the first baked good I can see to numb the pain and stress I feel. It happened to be cookies. I grabbed them and approached the counter. (In comes Jameal to the story). He was my 7 foot tall, Black and extremely nice (with extremely big earrings) checker-outer this evening. He smiled, scanned my cookies and said "UUUmmm....Are you having a good night?"

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I thought for a moment.

I started to laugh.

He started to laugh.

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I responded...."Jameal...I just walked into a gas station. This late at night. Alone. I am buying a pack of cookies...and only a pack of cookies. I guess I could be better!"

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We both just started hysterically laughing.

I guess that's the only thing to do when your stress is so high...you can't even cry:)

Have a good laugh.

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Anyhow....

I just walked in the door and have a million other priorities than blogging...but I had to share some hilarious comments I am getting from my 2 year old child these days.

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Most 2 year olds (if you sit and listen long enough) come up with the most random and completely hysterical things.

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A few of my favorites this week: (keep in mind I see him only 1 hour a day right now...so many of these things are during phone calls)

This evening:

My phone rings....

Me: Hello!

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Jaxson: Hi mom! What are you doing?!? I miss you...and love you. Guess What....when you get home I'm going to say "CUTE BUTT MOM!" and give you a hug.

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Me: That sounds great son. I'll be looking forward to it.

(....me thinking...What in the.....!)

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A few days ago I am about to get in the shower and Jaxson barges into the bathroom.

Jaxson: "HI mom! Whatcha doing?

Me: "Showering...be good ok!"

Jaxson: "I'll play with my trucks ok." as he gives me a hug.

(he turns to leave....looks at my nude reflection in the mirror and says...)

Jaxson: "Cute butt mom"

(he exits the bathroom, while I stand there stunned)

Where does he get this stuff?????

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The phone rings the other day and he insists on answering EVERY phone call that comes to this house.

It's Kelsey...my brother Ryan's girlfriend who is simply adorable and I must admit...I am green with envy of her perfect "shape". (hee hee)

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Jaxson answers: HELLO!

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Kelsey: Hi Jaxson....

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Jaxson: Hi Kelsey!!! What are you doing? You have nice boobs.

(...again, I'm thinking...What in the....!)

He now tells her this every single time she comes over.

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Last night my mom is making white chocolate covered popcorn...delicious! The popcorn was popping in the microwave and Jaxson climbs onto a barstool.

Jaxson: "LOOK NANNY! Popcorn is popping on the Apricot!"

(my child is nuts. I can't get over him though, how funny is that)

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This morning I awoke to the feeling that somebody was staring at me...and sitting WWWAAAYYY to close. Ya know that feeling? Well...I opened my eyes and Jaxson was kneeling right next to my head. He reached down and grabbed me tight around the neck and exclaimed...

"OOOHHH FFWEETHEART...you're awake. I love you FFFWWEETHEART."

(that one was pretty darn great)

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Last but not least...

Jaxson has learned a few things living at "our house" and currently our house consists of grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, uncle Ryan, and often times uncle Stephen, Aunt Kayla and Uncle Nate. We stay busy...and there is ALWAYS something going on here:)

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He has learned to stand up for himself...and unfortunately picked up on more than I can control in an environment filled with adults and only 1 child!!! He is mawled and wrestled and tickled by one of the 8 adults every second of every day.

He yells...he makes jokes for attention. He mimicks everything he sees:)

The other day out of the blue he shouts to my brother Ryan

"HEY RYAN....YOU LIKE BOYS! HA HA HA"

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I know what you are thinking.

...but the point is...you are also laughing. Hard.

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Fact: My child is downright hysterical right now. He is 2 going on 18 and I since I don't have the time to fix it....I am enjoying it:) Embracing it and sharing it with all of you! Enjoy

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He's naughty and too smart for his own good...but we'll keep him:)

...weeeeks ago....

Weeks ago when I had a life...or even two seconds of extra time (I think on conference Sunday perhaps) I threw together a few scrapbook pages:)

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Two of them were saved as the wrong kind of document....which makes me want to scream....but at least I kicked out another handful to add to the book! I'm not sure why....but I LOVE to scrapbook. I feel like I'm doing something good....(It's possibly my love of being creative and my love for photographing my child...combined into one project that makes it so rewarding and fulfilling). Who knows. All I know is I spend WAY too much time and money on the Sweet Shoppe Designs website!

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I plan on getting all caught up after Christmas. By Feb...I will have all my pages DONE and printed into books:) How's that for a goal?!?

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Here's a good start anyway....

Lake Powell 2009

(this was only in July...so I'm not too behind:):)

Side 1

Side 2

There....now I feel like I haven't neglected my blog.

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p.s. I put on a doorknob today. Well...with the help of my husband....but I totally did it.

I am learning knew things everyday. Things I never imagined I would do...most of them I never wanted to...but hey, I'm plugging along with a (pretend) smile on my face!

I deserve some kind of credit!!!

love, me

...still crazy busy...

No pictures again.

My life is full right now...TOO FULL

Not even sure where my camera is.

I think I saw it floating around in my dad's truck?!?

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One piece of advice.

It's simple...and if you like yourself one single bit and don't deserve any kind of cruel and unusual punishment you will listen to me.....

BUY A HOUSE...NEVER BUILD A HOUSE....

I repeat.

BUY A HOUSE...NEVER BUILD!

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I just got home (12:45 p.m.) after midnight for the 8th night straight:) I haven't seen my baby in weeks it feels like....and I'm trying to be content just watching other people (and their blogs) enjoy FALL....since I am totally missing it. wwwaaahhh.

All the pumpkin patches and homemade goodies look like sooooo much fun.

I am happy for you all.

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Instead, my fingernails are permanently dirty....like I was just awarded "employee of the month" and jiffy lube. My sister and I stained my entire front door on Sunday. Yes it took over 5 hours...and yes it was the sabbath. Sad thing is....it's not finished. I will spend hours doing touch-ups...then top coat...then of course the door knob, etc. etc. ....and to think...that's just the front door! It feels like I could spend months there and never leave and the work would never get done! THERE is so much mud and dirt. I swept and mopped 50 times today...I sucked up bags of rocks and mud with the shopvac...and still....you should see the mess!

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It feels a lot like camping. Being there everyday. No toilets, no running water, no food, no electricity. If you need a laugh just think: I have been working at my house every night huddled up to a spotlight to get warm...peeing under the deck in the dirt. Yes...I just said that.

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My parents say "you'll look back on this experience and love it!"

ummmmm. Never. ha ha ha.

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On a more positive note:

My grandma drove 4 hours to stay for the week and tend my child all day every day for me. I am the luckiest. She rules...and I love her to pieces. She called tonight to let me say "goodnight" to Jaxson over the phone and told me she took him to the park. I wanted to cry right then. I am sooooo glad I have such a great family and that they really step up at stressful and overwhelming times in my life. I'm glad Jaxson is getting some kind of "normalcy" in his completely disheveled life right now. She even did my laundry today and ironed Jarom's shirt for work!

I am just struggling to do it all:):)

that happens to others right?!?

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We (my husband and me) officially just layed a hardwood floor! It looked pretty damn good if I can say that....UNTIL, somebody dropped a measuring tape on it today and put a giant hole in it. AAAAAGGGHHHH. I wish I could say I had control...but I fell to the ground and gasped in horror:( I waited until they had left of course....and then Jarom and I laid on the ground filling it with murphys oil scratch cover for 20 minutes just hoping it would disappear.

Nope. It didn't.

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Another joyful experience today: I was quickly buckling my child in his carseat...holding his blanket, sippy, my purse, my pink notebook (house building bible...must be in hands at all times) and 10 other items and I sat my blackberry on the roof of the car. Needless to say...it's toast. MILLIONS of pieces. Normally I would have continued driving.....but not right now! I don't have time for this. I pulled over...jumped out and ran like a crazy woman all over the middle of the freaking lane....in search of my ABSOLUTELY MOST IMPORTANT THING IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW....MY SIM CARD!!! The phone that houses each and every subcontractors phone number...and the phone that rings every 2 seconds all 24 hours of every day...was now destroyed.

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Yes I had a complete come apart.

I bawled like I haven't in months...and it felt good.

Oh...so...good:)

I found it though...the SIM CARD that is.

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I popped it in Jarom's old Razor...and now am sporting a phone that sings "THE OFFICE" theme song every time I get a call. Sweet.

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well....

The good news is I will survive!

whether or not I want to....I will live through this experience:)

....and if I'm lucky...it will all be worth it....

Someday:)

the 15th

Because it is well after midnight...and that means I have made it to the 15th...(thus surviving half of October) I plan on rewarding myself to a treat tomorrow:)

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I'm thinking ice-cream.

(I treat myself to one every day it seems...but that is neither here or there:)

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I'm thinking Cold Stone.

I'm also thinking that I will order the "GOTTA LOVE IT" size.

Ya know...the size in which you nonchalantly act as though your husband is in the car waiting to share it with you...and you ask for 2 spoons just to really convince them ;)

....and then happily devour the entire thing yourself with ease....

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Yep. Tomorrow you'll find me at Cold Stone...having a good cry of relief that I made it this far....and crying harder that I still have so far left to go.

love, me

disregard....

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I really can't decide which part of today was better.....the part where my TILE (the one I specifically ordered weeks ago from good ol' Mexico) didn't show up for installation. Or how I just drove to my storage unit in Willard (the one that is currently holding every single belonging I own...I repeat...every single belonging but this shirt on my back) and it is blocked off by a search and rescue vehicle and police officers. HUMMMMM. ????????

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Exactly how can I get my light fixtures (from inside the storage bay) that need to be hung by the electrician at 9:00 a.m.????

Answer: I DIDN'T.

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Somebody is storing "SOMETHING" (a.k.a: dangerous and hazardous chemicals) in one of the units and NOBODY OR NOTHING is allowed in or out.

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Sometimes I hog all the luck.

...deck installed..check:)

SO....I spent the last 48 hours helping Jarom (and his talented friend ROB) install our Deck.

One more thing complete....a million more to go before moving day:)

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For the record...we only got in one fight and no cussing occurred.

Oh yah...other than when I admitted having OCD and kindly reminded him

to not do it "half-assed" or else we'd have problems:)

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He likes it when I'm fiesty.

See....Jarom gets easily disgusted by mushy stuff.

If I want to show him I love him...a big hug and kiss just doesn't cut it.

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Now...making a sassy remark, bossing him a little....

and giving him a giant Mt. Dew....that works like a charm.

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We WILL SURVIVE this experience darn it.

We will.

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On a sidenote:

I am soooo in love with him today. (Jarom that is:)

Wierd to announce....probably.

on my blog.....yep.

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....but hear me out....

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....I got to thinking today...I have been married almost 6 YEARS and he still makes me so so twitterpated (no clue on spelling....and he will kill me for using that word...ha ha ha). I remember looking over at him sitting next to me on the airplane...just 24 hours after we got married...heading to our Honeymoon...and thinking

"OH MY GOSH....IT GET'S TO BE LIKE THIS FOREVER! YYYYYEEEESSSSSS"

and just wanting to burst into tears. I most likely did.

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On our way home tonight...after 10 hours of laboring on the sabbath...building our new home side by side...and thought that exact thought:) I remembered that exact moment and feeling I had 6 years ago...and it made me so grateful...(and twitterpated:).

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Oh please. I am so emotional or something.

BUT...the point is...I am feeling pretty darn lucky HE'S MINE today.

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....and that doesn't happen EVERY DAY...so I thought I would document it:)

(this is the comment that I insert to make my mushy one ACCEPTABLE in his eyes)

ha ha ha ha.

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AGENDA for TOMORROW: find and order garage doors!

fun stuff

love, me

....no words...

I hate to complain...but it always makes me feel just a tad bit better:)

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There are not words to describe how SICK, BUSY, and STRESSED I have been for the past 2 weeks...so I won't even try.

I will just say...

MY LIFE SUCKS

and leave it at that.

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I'm only slightly convinced that I will survive the month of October:)

...and I pray daily that my child will be able to "BLOCK" out the last 4 months of his pitiful life. It has been just awful. He was robbed of 2 months of sandboxes, popsicles and a carefree summer...and is currently being robbed of walks in the beatiful weather and well...lets be honest....(healthy food, regular bathing, brushed teeth, etc). I am not kidding.

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We are on "SURVIVE MODE"...and I will feel like I just "ran a marathon" if I make it to November 15th alive and breathing. Only...I will be fatter instead of the alternative.

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The good news is I am finally getting my voice back after 2 weeks of Strep throat.

I sound like a man...but at least sound comes out today. Back to work....

Did you see Nienie on Oprah?

oh my goodness.

Does anyone think it turned out to be more about the "other" lady than nie. It bugged me. It was all about how the "other" woman changed...and what she does with her kids now that her eyes are opened. WIERD. Hello....I wanted more focus on Nie and her kids! More about her daily life...and how her kids learned a new normal. More about sweet Nie...who never wants the attention but deserves it all.

That's all.

love, me

...things I DIDN'T teach him...

I've learned a lot in the 2.5 years I've spent being a MOTHER

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...and I like to think I've taught this little squirt a thing or two! However, I am noticing more and more lately things that Jaxson does and says that I definitely didn't teach him....

How do they do that???

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For the longest time this little stink has been dependant on me.

I loved his first year...no preferences on radio station while driving in the car, no preference of what to eat/drink for dinner, no fits over candy in grocery stores.

Just chunky and happy to be here:)

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Well...that's over...and I am left with...the 2.5 year old version of my sweet baby Jaxson.

Don't get me wrong....he melts me...but he also makes me nuts.

I have to refrain from physically beating him several times a day:) Am I awful?

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Anyhow....I have caught myself wondering how on earth he knows so much. Isn't his every need/want/desire/ounce of knowledge because I gave it to him? If he ate...it's because I cooked lunch. If he drank...it's becuase I filled his sippy. If he smells like Dove... it is because I forced him to bathe. SO....why does he know all this crap that I never took the time to sit down and teach him?!?

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Like how to put together every puzzle he owns in less than 15 seconds flat. I never do those puzzles with him! We own them...and they sit there in their "Spot" day after day. I have never seen him do them before...ever.

It has really confused me lately:):)

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He absorbs EVERYTHING. He NEVER misses a thing...so it's not worth trying. I have started spelling things out...when I'm talking to Jarom about something I don't want him to hear, but not even this works. The other day we didn't bring his blanket and I was fearing what life would be like when he realized it. I said to Jarom "Check the Jeep for his B-L-A-N-K-E-T"...immediately Jaxson started saying "MOM...where is blankie? I want my blanket!"

What in the ------ ???

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Here's just a few that are highly entertaining:

1- If you ask him how he's doing, he responds: "Umm. Pretty Good!"

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2- He jumps off the couch and the entire time he's screaming

"DO NOT worry mom! I WILL NOT break my neck!"

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3- If we are at a store and he wants candy (imagine that) and I say NO....he screams at the top of his lungs while bawling "BUT I ASKED NICE! YOU HAVE TOO!"

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4- He has definite preferences in music and radio stations while driving in the car. He always begs for the "CHICKEN NUGGET SONG". I have no clue why...but he thinks a song on the Taylor Swift CD says "Chicken nuggets" in it...and he wants to listen to it over and over:)

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5- He smacks me in the face all day long. I hate this...and literally want to strangle him when he does it. The SECOND he swings and hits me...he covers his butt with his hand and screams "I WILL NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!" (odds are that he is doing the same thing within 30 minutes).

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6- Today I asked him why he likes his yellow blanket so much. (We have to take this thing EVERYWHERE we go. He became attached to it 4-5 months ago...even though he has a million blankets). He looked at me and said "Um...mom...because you sewed it for me. DUH!"

Oh...my...gosh. How did he know that. Or remember for that matter....IF I ever even told him.

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7- My mom asked him if he was going to do something (I can't remember what) when he got big...and he looked at her and said "Yes I am. And....ACTU-A-LLLY Nanny...I'm already big!"

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8- He is also insisting on peeing standing up...which is a whole new world for me. I hate the idea...and think it's completley disgusting. He is physically not tall enough to make things work properly. I have been trying to be patient...as he says "BOYS STAND MOM!!!!"

Ok Jaxson. Big Boys stand. BUT they also aim....most do anyway.

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9-My favorites right now: "MOM I have to show you something...right now!!"

"OH BOY MOM...You better come see this!!!"

These two statements are my life right now. Whether we are in a store...and he wants to show me a toy he spotted from 15 isles away...or in the yard and he spots a grasshopper. I am constantly grabbed by the hand and led in one direction or the other!

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Well...my post this evening is entirely due to the fact that my husband is in Layton working on the house...and this is probably the 1st Friday night in our marriage we've not been on a date. I have been pacing like a crazy woman...and totally hating life. I am bored...and lonely...and know exactly why I got married at 19. I hate being alone.

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I NEED to spend time with him...or my life just isn't the same:)

Happy Friday night.

HUGE

It's not good when I'm sick...because I pop in a movie for Jaxson...and blow pictures like THIS ONE up HUGE HUGE HUGE to hang in my house... just for fun:)

I wish everyday was this carefree and fun....

I love this picture to death:)

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I also got one of these....amongst others

...and I can't decide if it's going to go right by his bed...or MINE:)

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ok...back to work!

pumpkins...and other stuff...

My obsession with holidays is no small problem. Part of me wonders why I get so excited...like a small part of me never matured:) I wander COSTCO 3 times a week for pete sake...just to see the new Christmas decor they are putting on the shelves:) Why I admit these things is beyond me.

I truly love reasons to celebrate.

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I spent an entire day last week making bat and ghost shaped sugar cookies....if that tells you anything. I even purchased witch plates....so that they could lovingly be delivered to grandparents and loved ones around town:)

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Today we took the afternoon off and painted pumpkins.

By the time the season has come to an end...we've usually painted, carved, smashed, and glitterized our fair share of pumpkins. We do this activity several times it seems:)

It was fun.

I am laughing right now....because
for someone with absolutely no spare time...I can't believe I just went to the lengths of posting this picture in the shape of a leaf. I am such an idiot....and it doesn't look that great...so just laugh, admire his work...and move on:)

I'm thinking "OREM PUMPKIN PATCH" this weekend...Jaxson's going to freak out!

I am excited to see his face. Oh---and then Witches night out at Gardener Village...the petting zoo, riding ponies....I'm super excited for a break. I need one.

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On a sidenote: Jaxson's favorite word for the past few months is "gomer". He calls everyone a gomer....all day long. It makes us all laugh. I don't know...maybe some think it's rude or wrong for their child to resort to name calling...and for the most part, I do to. BUT we don't have the energy to correct it just yet...plus it's way too entertaining to change:) If you do something he doesn't agree with...you're a gomer....if you look ugly...you're a gomer....if you don't give him what he wants...you're a gomer.

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We love him...and I'm praying for patience to deal with this stage he just entered:):)

This stage that has my head spinning and me left wondering where my tender-hearted little baby went. Instead we have tantrums, hitting, screaming and last but not least...name calling.

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Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Maybe I should stop giving in:)

Like when he begs and bawls and begs and bawls for a tootsie pop for breakfast every single morning...and after 10 minutes of high pitched screams...I think to myself

"EAT 15 of them kid...I don't freaking care...just stop with the noise!"

Here I go again...admitting too much.

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Here's our little GOMER...he's getting big!

...and has quite the little sass in him...

I totally deserve it.