The Face of God (Warning: This Gets Churchy)

I think that everyone on occasion feels that their lives kind of catch up with them. Meaning that you feel a little ahead of the pack most days, only to suddenly find yourself at the rear of the pack for what feels like forever. To sum up: Discouragement. Both Jameson and myself have felt like this for quite some time. Maybe it is the immense pressure to be/feel that we CAN do it all (we can't -- mostly laziness). We (meaning Jameson and myself) be an awesome Mom/Dad, homemaker/breadwinner, stay up on current affairs, read all the books we want, see every movie ever made to make sure we get the references on Psych . . . the list goes on. Maybe it is unrealistic expectations that we set for ourselves. Whatever the reason, we both feel a little discouraged.

This is my ultimate conclusion: We need to stop the pity party. For Real. There are so many people facing worse problems that we are (ours are of the 1st world nation variety: eat too much, watch too much TV). That doesn't mean we can't feel a little sorry for ourselves, we just have to get over it and move on. Do the stuff we don't want to, and realize it is okay when we occasionally screw up royally.

I came to this conclusion after we went and watched Les Miserables. There are MANY lessons to be taught by this book, play, movie, musical. However, the one that I want to highlight is the restorative power of faith. If we have faith in God and Jesus Christ, that they exist and love us, we have faith that they can help to change us. We can overcome our demons, whatever they may be, and find peace, hope, and love in this life. We can become better people. While this may not change our circumstances, we can work to change the circumstances of others, and truly love another person.



This video is a tad long, but it is a good medley of the music from the musical. This is from the 25th anniversary video. Nothing against the movie, but the voices are better on this one.

"To love another person is to see the face of God"

I love lots of people in my life that I love dearly, but here are some pictures of the one that probably brings the most sunshine into it:

Me and Bug on a walk

Packer's usual position as he is getting ready to crawl. Either this on flat on his face . . .

Ya Trick! Ya!

Our little English Gentleman getting ready for church

I am not going to recommend a book or movie right here, because I think everyone should read Les Miserables by Victor Hugo or watch the movie! (this means the list will be longer next week)

Hidden Falls/Our Valentine Apocalypse

This week was packed with good stuff. For those of you who are unaware, I am NOT a girl who is opposed in any way to Valentine's Day. I do not call it Singles Awareness Day (except for the first year I heard it, thought it was clever, subsequently overused it and think the phrase is a more than a bit passe now), I don't wear black, and I make sure that my loved ones know this. Is there anything better in the world than celebrating love, in ALL it's forms? I think NOT!! We are super broke, so we didn't really do very much this year -- Jameson got home with the cutest card EVER and we dropped Packer off with my mother in law then tried to go to Jalisco's (closed for Valentines -- I made up a super romantic story in my head involving the elderly couple that owns it and how he made a special dinner and closed the restaurant on Valentines for his cute little wife that works so hard. P.S. I don't know if an elderly couple owns it). So we ended up at La Morelia, and while the food wasn't great, we sat on the same side of the booth and cuddled while we ate. We didn't really say a whole ton, just enjoyed the quiet and one another's company. Then we picked Packer up, put him to bed and played games and read books all night. AWESOME!!

Onward, Saturday was a gorgeous day in Salt Lake. Hazy, but beautifully warm. We decided to go for a little hike. Edit, I decided to go for a hike and dragged my two boys into it.

At least Jameson is pretending to be happy about it . . .

Anyway, we went to Hidden Falls, which, as the website points out is not a hike, but a short stroll. But it is up in the mountains, so I counted it at Packer's first hike. Super fun. Turned into a photo shoot with Packer -- but it also reminded me how much I love the outdoors, and how much I missed being in it this winter. Note to self: take up snow shoeing.

This is my favorite photo of the whole lot. Packer's hat is kind of in the way, but they have the same expression on their face.

In order to get to the falls, you have to cross a log -- Also Packer is wearing his little hiking boots from Jameson's coworker Annette, it was so cute!!

I just loved how his little hand was on the rock. He was so tentative about touching the rock, it was rather sweet.

We are working on photo shopping Jameson's hand out of the photo . . . but he looks like a wicked cool rock climber!

I know that his eyes are closed, but I am so proud that he can sit on his own, on an uneven rock, with a waterfall behind him.

Jameson was just so cute with his little man here the whole trip. He is so good and fun with him.

I kind of look half Asian here, but I'm not.

Good Books to Read: Totally Cliche by Mormon Mommy Writers -- This is a collection of short stories that are a lot of fun. My friend, Jennie Bennett has a story in there. I am so proud of her and the story is great! Another great book is Reasons I Fell for the Fat Funny Friend by Becca Ann -- this is a funny quick read that is really empowering for women who aren't a size 2 or less.

Favorite song right now: Thrift Shop by Macklemore -- this is a cleaned up version, just know that the video is so incredibly funny, but the language is pretty bad. So if you don't mind some f-bombs, look up the official video.

We Have Kept Packer Alive for 7 Months!

I know -- it's a miracle. With how flaky I am and Jameson's frankly blatant disregard of detail, it seems that we would at the very least forget our child at a gas station. Well, we proved you all wrong, and Packer is a happy, well adjusted 7 month old wonder to behold!

Currently, his favorite past times include putting anything but food in his mouth and gumming it. If there isn't a toy nearby, he will sit and clap his hands together (I tried capturing this adorable activity on video, but Packer isn't really into performing). He also loves to get two small toys in his hands and clank them together, but sometimes he misses, and hits his hands instead. He is capable of babbling, but he hasn't really done that since I had laryngitis, and he couldn't have a babbling conversation with me. He is back to some rather loud high pitched screams to get his point across. It is remarkably effective. Especially with his Dad.

As far as our lives are concerned, we have finally eradicated the nasty viruses that have been lurking in every corner of our home. I went to our niece Cloie's birthday party on Saturday (I made this delicious soup -- seriously, the easiest thing to make EVER) and it was our first outing in almost two weeks. Oh the glory of the wind on my face! Jameson has applied to work as an assistant branch manager in Tooele. So if that happens, we might start looking at homes in the Grantsville area starting in about a year. I think he has some pretty good chances of getting the position. He is a little apprehensive about working in such a small town, as there just aren't as many businesses for loans, accounts, and such. Our Relief Society Presidency was changed, but I am still in it. I am really excited to work with all the new ladies, as always, church is a bit of an adventure for me.

Here are the latest photos from our life:

Packer playing the drums with Jameson, poor kid doesn't stand a chance with another instrument.

There was a nice day last week, and I went outside with Packer Man. He was killing it, eating grass and whatnot.

Good Series to Watch: Death Valley -- Reno 911 meets crazy killer vampires, werewolves and zombies. A little dirty, so be forewarned.

Good Book to Read: Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling -- I am trying to get through this. It feels very much like a Harlan Coban novel, and it isn't really gripping me, but I will prevail!!

Influenza - just add a baby and this is our life

Ice Fishing

Just yesterday, my little family went with some friends to Strawberry Reservoir to go ice fishing. For anyone with a general knowledge of my character growing up, my forays into the wilderness are a bit of a surprise (if not outright shock). I am a bookworm and a homebody. However, I am married to an adventurer, and no lover of fantasy novels can live with themselves if they don't take opportunities for adventure when they present themselves.

Such is the case here. My husband asked if we could go to a free clinic being held that taught people the basics of ice fishing. Now, Jameson had previously been ice fishing and had a vague idea of what was needed. I felt all I could really bring to the table was a firm belief that I could keep my infant warm in the face of frightening cold. I succeeded. However, we didn't catch any fish.

 This picture is of Packer after he fell asleep on Jameson. Turns out 6 month old infants can and will sleep in sub zero weather.

I know that my eyes are closed, but I look happy. This is when we first set up camp and Packer was awake, happy, and very interested to find that the landscape and the sky looked about the same.

 We set up a little tent Pack and Play of sorts. It really worked out until he wanted to sleep, and then he insisted on being held.

These are our good friends Taylor and Tiffany Christensen. They braved the cold with us, and consequently won a slot on our Zombie escape plan.

I wanted to just let you know what ice fishing is really like. They say it is more social than shore fishing. I found it to be a lot of huddling around a hole in the ice while staring at a rather dainty fishing pole.

Overall, it was great fun and I am so glad to have a husband that pushes me out of my comfort zone to do things this little creature of comfort would never dream of!

Good Book to Read: Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy -- This is a no-brainer for anyone who loves the musical or the movie. Obviously, the book came first; however it is just plain fun -- you will get a kick out of the whole thing and it is horribly romantic.

Good Series to Watch: Lost Girl -- I have to warn you: this is SAUCY. The main character is a succubus, so you can imagine there is a fair amount of seduction. Nevertheless, I always appreciate when mythical creatures are taken out of the forest and put on the nitty gritty streets of the here and now. I also appreciate that most of the characters are not vampires or werewolves. 

My Top Five

I feel the need to preface this post by saying that I love my husband and wouldn't ever actually make good on what you are about to read.

Most couples have some sort of celebrity crush list. My parents each picked one celebrity that they could run away with and come back a week or two later with no repercussions. My mom chose Tom Selleck.

 

My father picked a popular singer at the time, and I don't remember who she was.

The understanding that Jameson and I have is that we have a 'top five list' with the same rules as my parents. Jameson doesn't really take the list seriously since

1. We are not really very likely to ever meet anyone famous, let alone someone on the top 5 list and
2. They are not very likely to want to run away with us for a few weeks, even if I did have a rockin' bod (which I don't).

The only time that he uses the top five list is to try to make me jealous. This doesn't work for the exact same reasons that he doesn't take it seriously.

Anyway, here is my top five list:

Number 5: Slot still open

Number 4:  Chris Hemsworth -- I just don't feel this needs an explanation.

 

Number 3: Jeremy Renner -- I feel like he has the 'good guy/tough guy thing' down.

 

Number 2: John Krasinski: I will admit, I like him because he reminds me of Jameson

Number 1: This is a hotly contested issue in our house. Do I like Martin Freedman because he looks like Jameson, or do I like Jameson because he looks like Martin Freedman? The world may never know . . .

Nevertheless, here are the real boys in my life that I get to love on everyday. Could I be luckier? Absolutely not!

Good Book to Read: The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Good Series to Watch: Being Human -- there is a British and an American version. This is a rare occasion where I prefer the American version.

Halloween Deposit

Hey everyone! So . . . Halloween is coming like a ton of bricks and we have been poorly prepared. Kind of the story of our lives. Anyway, we went to Gardner Village last Saturday with all of Jameson's family. They have a really cute witches festival. Here are some photos that depict this very thing!

Pumpkin patch pics -- Could he be cuter? I will say, it was a challenge making sure he didn't fall over whilst trying to capture this moment.

We used the wrap to meander about. So . . . free commercial for sasha wraps. I was dancing to the music on the speakers and embarrassing my husband. One of my favorite passtimes.

Just a photo with Debbie, Jay and all the grandkids.

Here Jameson and I were waiting for everyone to show up, so we found this wooden swinging chair. Could anyone have men more handsome than these? I think not!

Moving on -- I ran in a 5k this weekend. It was the Running Scared 5k Race in Herriman Utah. I know, I know. Let's give some mad props to Jameson for motivating me with some sweet under armor cold wear pants. I pushed Bug in a stroller. We were dressed up like zombies, but I felt under-dressed for the race.

I think this proves a previous point -- there are simply not a better pair of men.

Showing off my sweet nike cold wear tights.

Army guy? Zombie? Take your pick.

Captain Jack Sparrow? I didn't know you ran in 5k races in Herriman Utah!

Same goes for the Jolly Green Giant

Jameson played in a soccer game that we raced to (get it, raced to?). This is the first year that he has done an outdoor league. Sadly, it is the last game of the season, and I feel terrible, but this is the first game I have come to. Even having a child in the middle of the season, I think I would have made at least one game. . .

Finally, we had a Halloween Party at Debbie's. It fell a tad flat, but there was pumpkin carving, and we all dressed up. Packer was a Bat, Jameson was Dracula, and I was a bride of Dracula. Cute, right?

We were all a little tired at this point

A tad bit more awake here. Isn't he so cute?!?

I don't really have a book or movie to add here. I need to go feed my baby! So . . . I will double up next time?