Botanical Garden Take Two

Remember when we went to the botanical garden with Ethan's Grandma in the summer?  We decided that it was time we take daddy to see all the cool cacti.  We had a lovely stroll around the garden and E had so much fun roaming around.

On a side note, today I was wearing a pair of designer jeans that I bought a while ago.  It took me a long time to finally decide to buy them and all I have to say is: what took me so dang long!?  I have always had trouble finding jeans that look good on me mainly because of my shortness and those meatless thighs that I was cursed with.  But gosh these jeans fit so well on me they are worth every penny!  I have decided that there are a few things in life that are worth splurging on and designer jeans have recently just made the list.

Ho Ho Ho

One of Ethan's newest tricks is to say ho ho ho when you ask him what Santa says.  He also points at all and every Santa-look-alikes and say ho ho ho.  It's pretty darn cute.  It's only two days until Christmas!  I can't wait!

Goodnight Gorilla

Somehow going to the zoo at night made me think of Goodnight Gorilla.  We went to the Phoenix Zoolights a couple days ago.  Ethan absolutely loved it.  We expected him to fall asleep in the stroller but he stayed awake the whole time pointing at the lights and squealing.  We thought it was fun but not amazing.  Then again it's really not fair because both Jake and I have seen some of the most amazing Christmas lights in the world like Salt Lake's Temple Square and the Hong Kong Harbor.  I still had a great time though, mainly because of the fantastic company.  What's better than strolling through the zoo with your very own happy panda?

Calendar 2013

I don't know if you knew this but my husband is a Photoshop wizard.  It was his thing as a teenager and it comes in pretty handy these days.  I found a calendar template a few days ago and have been wanting to to make one for our family so I begged him to show me some of his mad skills and he did.  Being married to a genius has some great perks.  

p.s.  Let me know if you like this template.  I can switch out Ethan's pictures and make one for you.  Or if you would like to have E's pictures on your wall for the year of 2013 I can send you a larger file of this particular calendar as well :)  This would be his very first step toward his career as a baby model.

Christmas Tree Lot

My heart was filled with sadness all weekend long after the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.  I ache for the parents of the children at Sandy Hook elementary.  I cannot imagine the pain of the parents who won't get to see their children grow up, and also those who will have to face the challenge of helping their kids grow up with such a horrifying experience in their past.  At moments like this, when I'm again reminded how fragile life is, I force myself to stop and to re-focus on what really matters in life.  My family is what matters to me.  When I look at these pictures of Ethan, I see some good in the world.  I hope that you, whoever you are who is reading my blog today, will have a wonderful Christmas and be able to feel Christ's love and to see the good in this world.

A Surprise Scavenger Hunt

If I had to rate how boring a person I am on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being dull as dishwater, I would give myself a seven.  I'm giving myself three points on being a fun person because there are times, though rare, when I am spontaneous and fun and this is one of those times...

While I was showering one morning, I had this great idea to give Jake a surprise scavenger hunt.  I have lots of great ideas when I'm in the shower, who knows why, but that's irrelevant.  So Ethan and I got everything ready that day and taped clue #1 plus a short explanation on the garage door for Jake to find when he comes home from work.

One of the clues was written on Ethan's diaper.  It was the hardest one for Jake to find.  He knew that it had to do with diapers so he looked through all of our changing stations, places where we stock extra diapers, and even in my diaper bag but he couldn't find anything!  Finally I held Ethan right in front of his face and it clicked.  I don't remember laughing that hard for a long time :)

Life is Good

Life can be so good sometimes.  It's so good that I would feel like an ungrateful cow if I didn't record it.  You know those times when you think to yourself I want to remember everything about this moment forever?  Well, I feel like my days are packed full of those special moments lately and I'm really really really hoping that I will remember at least some of them forever.  Like they way Ethan's face lit up when Jake threw him in the air at the Christmas tree lot, and when he copied me and tried to smell the Christmas tree with his nose all scrunched up.  I know that Thanksgiving is long gone but I've been feeling so grateful lately.  I'm so grateful for my healthy body that has allowed me to create and to deliver a healthy and beautiful baby.  It has also allowed me to take care of said baby and to experience all the wonderful things in this world.  I'm grateful for my husband who wakes up every morning at the crack of dawn to go to work and not just that but to work hard to support the mini and me.  And I'm grateful for my baby who fills my life with joy and purpose.  Life is good.  It's sometimes hard for me to be still and to examine all the wonderful things in my life, but when I do I'm always amazed at all the blessings I've been given.