2.02.2010

Celebrating Hank: Pool Style

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....Our little Hank turned 5 today.
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(do you like how I call him "Our Hank?"
I swear he's close to being mine...just let me pretend.)
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To ring in the big 5, we got our swim on at the Legacy Center at a cousins birthday party.
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Other than my offensive lack of a tan & semi-offensive cleavage, this was a genius idea.
What a way to make me feel like it's not dead in the middle of winter.
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Jack had an absolute blast. Last summer he was brand new and a bit small for the pool, so this was his first legit experience in the pool. I had a feeling he'd eat it up...and I was right.
2 straight hours of kicking, splashing, being splashed, and one completely ecstatic bambino.
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(Thanks for the picture taking, mom!)
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Now, back to the birthday boy...
Seriously...how cool is this kid?
Look at those tattoos!
The one on his chest says MOM. Perfect.
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My conversation with Annie today sums it up perfectly.
"When did we become moms at a pool for one of our kids'
5 YEAR BIRTHDAY PARTY?"
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I cannot believe Hank is 5.
I am so lucky that by default in spending a great deal of my spare time with his mom, I get to spend time with him, too.
Hank is the perfect mix of making me laugh hysterically and making me want to break down and cry because he is so incredibly cute and sweet.
Oh, how I love this mug! And Jack couldn't be more crazy about him...already the best of friends!
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(See why I love this kid?)
Hank,
Thanks for sharing your mom with me. Thanks for teaching me how to play 4 wheelers and for not making fun of me when I can't do tricks on the tramp.
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Coolest new 5 year old I know!
And you throw one tight birthday party!
Love you, my little pal.
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Happy Birthday, Buddy!
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Posted by sarah at 8:40 PM 6 comments

1.30.2010

You're a Good Day, January 30th

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If you were born on January 30th, chances are you're a pretty awesome person.
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In addition to a really great cousin and a few of my most adorable students being born on this day, 2 of my absolute favorite people in this world celebrate a birthday on this day as well.
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Lucy Jane Ross
My adorable little pal turns 9 today.
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9. Really?
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It seems like just yesterday I got to be your aunt-nanny several times a week, and I'd secretly pretend like you were mine because you were so incredibly darling.
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Good news for you is that you're still just as incredibly darling.
Well, beautiful might be the better word.
(she even looks gorgeous in her Halloween costume...as proven above)
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You're good at everything you do and I love watching you do it.
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There will always be a special spot for you in my heart, Luce.
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Happy Birthday, Pal!
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And then there is this amazing lady.
My sweet mother- in- law.
...(I've tried for way to long to get this picture bigger...just pretend it's as big as I intended)
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This is pretty much the only woman in this world who I know could watch 4 small children, prepare an exquisite meal for the masses, and coordinate service efforts for an entire neighborhood all at the same time.
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I know she could do it because I've seen her do it...like a million times.
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This woman is incredible.
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So lucky to have her in our lives as a mom, mother-in-law, and grandma.
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She sets the bar high with her example and I love her for it.
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Happy Birthday, Laurel!
One day hopefully we can all repay you for you service to us as gracefully as you have always served us (and everyone else)!
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Not only am I grateful that these girls were born...I'm particularly glad for the excuse to have a celebration.
After January being the longest most dull month in the history of months...I'm ready for some paaarrrties!
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Thank you, January 30th.
You really delivered.
Posted by sarah at 9:57 AM 4 comments

1.22.2010

Jump Like There's No Tomorrow

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Went to Jump on It with the sister's and our kids on Monday for a little President's Day jump.
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I think the kids had fun.
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I know Annie did.
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Perhaps the funniest part of this photo is the kids in the background.
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Lucy: "I'll act impressed and then maybe Annie will buy me Skittles."
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Isabel: "Cool, Annie. (gulp)"
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Hank: "Oh no she didn't."
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Even the girl in the background can't help but look Too Cool.
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But, I can guarantee you if I were in the photo I'd have a look of sheer and utter amazement.
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Words cannot express how much I love this mug.
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Jump on, Sis.
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Jump on.
Posted by sarah at 9:35 AM 10 comments

1.17.2010

Comprehension

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There are certain things that I find hard to comprehend.
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Time, space, gravity, hot dogs, how babies survive the whole birthing process, etc.
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Lately, I am having a particularly hard time comprehending a life without my grandpa in it.
I always imagined that it wouldn't be easy when this time would come, and I was right.
However, I still find myself grateful throughout it all.
Grateful that he was mine for 25 important years life.
The pain I feel is a direct reflection of the level of a relationship we had.
In a (simple) word, it was great.
As great as it could be.
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This week...
has been a really hard week.
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We had my grandpa's funeral, and despite the absolute devastation of having to have a funeral, it was really nice. So amazing to celebrate his incredible life and see the droves of people surround our family in support and love and adoration for our grandpa.
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* A personal thank you to all of you who sent emails, cards, texts, etc. etc.
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Jack came down with his second ear infection within a month in the midst of it all.
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The weather has been foggy and dark and yucky. Boo for January in Utah.
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Let's just say I've had a rough time this week keeping my resolution of loving every day.
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But, I'm not giving up on my resolution yet. I feel even more determined than ever to keep it.
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Thanks to these little mugs and this hilarious picture, it makes it easy to smile and remember just how good life really is.
THE most perfect picture....ever.
Jack, Lucy, Max, Hank, Isabel
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Here's to a better week!
Posted by sarah at 3:10 PM 6 comments

1.08.2010

A Great Loss

My Grandpa.
My Friend.
My Hero.
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1926-2010
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I will always miss you, always think of you, always aim to be like you, and will never stop loving you.
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You lived the best life.
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Happy Trails, Sweet Grandpa.
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READ MORE:
Utah Golf Association:
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Daily Herald
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Deseret News
Posted by sarah at 9:58 PM 7 comments

1.04.2010

Positively 2010

Happy New Year!
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As I had been hearing so many resolutions...man, did I feel lazy. The thought of coming up with a resolution or two seemed daunting. Anyone else still utterly exhausted from the last 2 weeks of holiday-ing?
Brett, Jack, and I all took a 3 hour nap yesterday afternoon.
That definitely needs to happen more.
A tempting resolution.
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The New Year brings with it a desire in me to take apart everything in my house, throw away, clean, and start new.
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I can however be nothing but thankful and happy for what 2009 brought to my life.
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a healthy pregnancy
Jack
another happy year with Brett
health (kind of)
Jack
friendship
Jack
successful surgery for my little sweetie
wrapping up teaching 1st grade full time
part time teaching gig
Jack
finally (sort of) furnishing my house
Jack
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and so much more.
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In fact, I loved so much of this past year, I'd kind of like to rewind.
And that's exactly where my resolution comes in.
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I never did find that magic time remote I've been so desperately looking for.
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But, I don't need it.
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My resolution came to me after a treasured conversation I had with my sweet Grandpa Karl mixed with a conversation I had with Annie about her experience with him.
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You see, my Grandpa is pretty much my hero.
He's played such an important role in my life.
Always one to give amazing words of wisdom and advice.
This grandpa of mine has been ill for a few months now, and is now on Hospice.
Most days he is quiet.
One lucky day last week, I was fortunate enough to catch him on a very clear day.
Back to his old tricks of teaching me the ways of life.
We talked about lots of things.
And we talked about time...
how he wishes he could fast forward it and how depending on the day I wish I could rewind, fast forward, or pause it.
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And then, he said to me,
"You only have today. Live it and love it."
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What a perfect thing for him to say.
It is, after all the way he has always lived.
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And so for me, I am going to make my resolution to love every day.
Live it fully.
and
LOVE it.
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I realize this may not be easy on many-a-day, but what's the point of a resolution that doesn't take work?
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There's a lot of negativity out there.
Takes one to know one, as I will admit to being somewhat of a pessimist (I know...you're shocked)!
But, I think in my effort to love every day and every season of life, life will be seen all the more positively.
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I'm going to try to let go of always expecting perfection from myself and others, and embrace the endearing moments of imperfection.
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More laughter.
Less OCD.
Looking at the bright side.
And a bit of spontaneity.
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Sounds good, right?
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I'm going to start right now....
as Jack tears through my house.
(and I might even sing "Seize the Day" while I'm at it...Newsies anyone?)...
How awesome is this picture? Really?
No shirt, one sock, lounging position.
Awesome.
Or maybe I just convinced myself to keep my nap resolution...
(And for the record...I do dress my child.)
Posted by sarah at 4:17 PM 5 comments

12.27.2009

Merry Merry

Christmas was all sorts of MERRY.
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So merry, in fact, that my picture taking suffered.
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Jack couldn't have been more adorable on his first Christmas...crawling and climbing around, smiling, attempting to eat wrapping paper and ribbon, and making me utterly grateful to have him around this year.
And, while of course Christmas isn't ALL about the presents, it's kind of a lot about presents, so here's a recap:
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Santa definitely thought I was a good girl this year, which was made known by the slew of surprises including a watch, jeans, and utterly fabulous boots and more that were waiting for me under the tree.
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Jack got books, balls, toys that might make us pull our hair out, and an adorable Pottery Barn chair from my mom and dad.
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Brett got his PS3, hats, and a gas powered airplane.
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And, truly the best part of the day was all the amazing family that we had so close to spend time with. We really missed Brett's family, but had a wonderful day that started at my mom's and then lead us to both sets of my grandparents throughout the day.
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These Jones' definitely had a very merry Christmas.
Hope you did too.
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The week before Christmas, we had a adorable photographer by the name of Brooke take some 6 month pictures of Jack.
My mom set it up and outfitted all the grandkiddies to have a cousin shoot as well.
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Jack was rolling everywhere.
Drooling.
Whining.
Reaching for everything.
Eating rocks.
Making silly scrunched up smiles.
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And it was darling.
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Below are a few of the pictures she sent me as part of our preview.
Can't wait to see the rest!
She did a great job with these rascals.
Pure precious.
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This kid's hair is so hard to manage....with sooo much of it and all.
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This hat is sure to never disappoint.
Just like Jack's newest smile.
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Rat. Rat. Rat. Rat. Rat.
In an utterly adorable way, of course.
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Love, love, love these mugs.
Posted by sarah at 12:54 PM 3 comments
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