Spartan Race: A Testiment to Jameson Jackson

This last Saturday, Jameson Jackson was totally a hero and finished the Spartan Race. For those of you who are unfamiliar -- it is a 13+ mile run with at least 28 obstacles to complete. Here is a link to give you a better idea.

Oh. My. Goodness. There is some serious hotness going on in this picture.

Jameson did it with some friends at work, including his good friend Taylor Christensen.

Jameson and Taylor getting ready. Notice the white shorts. Really, Jameson? Really?

 Taylor's wife, Tiffany, and I went and sat in the sun for 6+ hours to watch. It was surprisingly fun. We didn't have a good idea of where and when to watch for the guys, so we missed some stuff (including the finish line) but I am so proud of Jameson. This was really difficult and he really did well. I can't believe how fast he shimmied up that rope!

Ready, Set, Go!!

This 30 foot rope took him like no time at all. I think he was just showing off for the hot chick watching him.

Triumphantly emerging from the mud pit/rope climb.

I really am so proud of my honey bunny. He trained and worked really hard to be able to do this race and he conquered! Way to go my Spartan Man!!

I still have nothing to recommend here. I have been swamped with Church, Trips and Birthday Parties. Perhaps later . . .

Why We Hate the Water

Summertime if full of wonderful things. Barbeques, hikes, and any form of fun in the sun. We have been partaking liberally of all of these things. However, the water part of summer (my personal favorite, despite swim suits) has been a huge struggle for Packer.

I have been implementing 'Fun Friday' in our household. Pretty much, we just do something fun that wouldn't happen on a normal day. It's the day I plan fun stuff for us to do, usually free. We went to the free day at This is the Place Historic Park. Last Friday we attempted to visit the splash pad at City Creek (by 'we' I mean my Sister-In-Law Beth and her two girls and myself). This is how it went:

This was our first attempt. He didn't even get a squirt in the face, he got a light smattering of water. It was evidently traumatizing.

We tried again about 10 minutes later. Did NOT go well.

So, all in all, not well. We also have a pool at our apartment complex that we visit at least once a week. It is a struggle every time. I don't know if the pool is simply too vast (maybe I shouldn't force him to put his head underwater or float on his tummy) or the splash pad too surprising (water to the face is disconcerting). But this veteran swim team captain (ha ha -- it was only because I actually stuck it out 4 years, not because of talent) will not give up!

Good Book to Read: NO IDEA -- I honestly have not made this summer the awesome reading thing that summers usually are for me. I will work on this. Plus I am in a downward spiral on Netflix. I need some good movies to watch as well. 

Father's Day Post Script

Yesterday I was watching Jameson play with Packer (because my patience had run out and let's face it -- I am just not quite as good at playing as Jameson Jackson) and I was thinking about all the things that Jameson is better at as a parent than myself. I decided to make a list.

This is from when he was like 6 months -- but you can see how happy he is with his Dad.

1. Chasing Packer around on his hands and knees while Packer laughs uncontrollably.

A lot of these pictures have nothing to do with Jameson -- but this is a cute picture from a few weeks ago when we went to the zoo with our friends!

2. Playing with various sports equipment and demonstrating how to be active.

Another cute pic from the zoo. My little bird man.

3. Not letting Packer eat dirt.

I was letting him play with dirt next to a stinky sheep at This Is The Place Monument.

4. He set up our whole family prayer/scripture reading system. I know -- right? You would think it was me. But you would be wrong.

Me outside the Relief Society Hall -- because I love Relief Society!

5. Acrobatics in general -- various 360s and such that make Packer squeal in delight.

We had lots of fun at the petting zoo this last Friday at This Is The Place Monument

 Anyway -- this is just a quick om age to Jameson since my little epiphany of how much Packer needs him came around the same time as Father's Day.

Good Book to Read: The Magicians by Lev Grossman. Here's the thing: too much swearing/sex and the story line meanders pointlessly too much for my taste. However -- lots of fun references to Harry Potter and Narnia.

A Much Needed Break

After taking a few weeks of a break from informing family and friends of my every thought on everything, I needed a bit of a break.

Consequently, a few things were missed. This post will mostly just be a deposit of our visit with my parents and grandparents at the ranch in southern Utah as well as a few notes about my sister in law Lisa and her visit to Salt Lake for the day.

Southern Utah:

This was a visit down to the ranch to actually do some chores for my grandfather and to help out the family to accomplish what needs doing at the ranch. My Grandfather (bless his cotton-pickin' heart) really just wanted us to enjoy some time together. So, it was more fun with family and less hard labor.

Packer, Grandma Becky and Great-Grandma Foote -- lots of fun!

I had so much fun sitting and watching my mother and Grandmother put this puzzle partially together. We laughed and laughed. I hadn't done that with my sweet Grandmother very often, and it was a blast (mostly fart jokes).

Both Packer and my Dad enjoyed being outside and looking at everything in the morning light!

Packer, Dad, and Great-Grandpa Foote -- we all had fun working and playing together.

Alycia and Steven (Jameson's sister and brother-in-law) also drove down to see the beautiful sites and a few of the easy day hikes on my grandfather's land.

Jameson didn't tell me there was a snake a few feet away from me slithering it's slimy devil little body through the water. Good move, Jameson. Good move.

Walking into Twin Hollow -- Packer loved the sights.

This is the sheer red cliff and blue sky only to be found in Southern Utah in Fall Canyon.

These two are such photo nerds - so glad they could come.

We found a tidy little spot to leave Packer in Twin Hollow if the going ever gets rough . . .

This was taken at Denny's Wigwam in Kanab. We took a trip in and thoroughly enjoyed this location as well as 3 bears sandwich shop. Super yummy -- totally recommend!

On a log over the north fork of the Virgin River (it is more like a small creek) running through my Grandfather's land.

A small family picture in a small nook in Twin Hollow

Lisa and Kaleb:

Lisa and Kaleb came the day before we left for Southern Utah. It was pretty fun to see Kaleb and it was the first time that anyone from my brother Chris's family had seen Packer since they live so far away.

Lisa and Kabeb in our small kitchen

Cute little cousins having a blast! Packer may have been bowled over a few times, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and he needs to learn to fend for himself!

Lisa and Packer -- it was so much fun to chat with Lisa and she was so good to my little guy!

Kaleb was a very sweet, very busy little body and Lisa was a wonderful, fun and patient Mom!

Good Book to Read: The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanan -- I really enjoyed this young adult book. It is about a young track star who gets in a traffic accident and looses one of her legs below the knee. Since I have tragically become a runner since I graduated college, it was great motivation for me to get my rear in gear and work harder toward my fitness goals. I also learned a thing or two about running technique from the book. For those who aren't runners, it is also just a wonderfully inspirational (if totally fictional) story that highlights overcoming obstacles without the usual teen drama that accompanies young adult novels.

Good Series to Watch: Alphas -- this isn't actually my favorite, but Jameson loves this show. It should have all the makings of something I love, but I think I want a little more 'clean' heros. This is a little too nitty gritty for my style. Still a fantastic and well thought out idea that has great acting and a fascinating plot.

Keeping Momentum -- This Kind of Got Away From Me

So I always find myself ready to go at the beginning of the week. Monday I have lots of plans, and I generally carry them out. I'm motivated, happy and certainly not ready to have a psychotic break for one weak reason or another. I am a productive woman. On Mondays.

By Thursday, this empowered woman has decided that she is too tired to vacuum and sweep the floor. Even if it is the only day of the week she is supposed to do said chore. She usually just reads a book or watches a movie or sleeps when the baby sleeps.

You know this is old because he still has a binky.

To be honest, I love both of these sides of me, and think that both are perfectly natural. I am not a powerhouse of energy, and I never have been. There are a few things at the very top of my list that pretty much always get done (exercise, and make sure I don't kill Packer), the rest is kind of hit or miss. I suppose that in a lot of ways, this makes me flaky and/or lazy and/or human. If someone wants to label me with any of these things, that's okay by me.

These are old pictures -- but I am feeling Nostalgic

I think that a lot of women see the best in others, and compare it with the worst in themselves. I think that there are a lot more opposing character traits in each of us than we care to admit. I know that I go to someone's house and see how clean, organized and well decorated it is. Coming home to the slobs that seem to occupy my abode is irritating at the very least. However, I have found that the less I focus on how much I want to be like someone else or have what they have, the happier I am.

I know that these are all sleeping pictures, but I rarely get to see him actually asleep anymore. So it makes me smile in my mommy heart!

I also find all my friends also compare their children to other children. Sorry, let me rephrase, I have to battle this instinct in myself. I have a lot of friends who have children the same age as Packer. It seems to be a competition as to who crawls, walks and talks first or the best. While I think it is important to know the basic milestones that any child needs so that you can help your child reach them the best they can. However, I think it is a dangerous principle that children are bound to imitate. It is easy to be disappointed in a child who is constantly compared to someone else. Whereas, when you just ask a personal best, every small victory is cause for celebration.

This is from when we had to go back to the hospital. I often complain about Packer not eating solids, but in reality, I am just so thrilled he figured out eating at all!

Good Book to read: Divergent by Verionica Roth -- dystopian, young adult, fun fun in the sun!

Good Movie to watch: Big Trouble in Little China -- the plot does not make any sense, but it is the funniest show ever!

Workin' it through Wheeler Farm

About a week ago, our family went to Wheeler Farm. This is a functional farm, a family tourist attraction, and also a wedding venue. I know. They have a diverse portfolio.

We went so that Packer could see the baby farm animals and get some sort of interaction with animals in general since we don't own any and he rarely sees them.

A few things struck me when we went to visit.

First: Yaks really do have bad breath. Not that I meant to get in it's face, but these things happen. So when my mother says "You have the breath of a thousand yaks" I have a pretty solid reference point now.

Second: Jameson gets pretty freaked out when Packer would touch an animal and then stick his hands in his mouth. This wasn't a surprise, but made letting Packer get involved in touching animals a little bit tricky.

Third: I was reminded of the hard work it takes to run a farm. I saw signs for FFA everywhere. While I was never a member of the FFA (in my infinite teen wisdom, I was sure it was filled with know-nothing hicks), I had a few friends who participated and raised animals. They are some of the most honest, hardworking people I know. In that respect, they are the type of people I want my son to be like.

I clearly understand that my son will have failings in his character. But there are a few things I really hope that I can curb as a parent. I hope that I can teach my child never to be intentionally mean, to have a measure of faith, and to avoid laziness.

The subject of entitlement and how much we hate it has cropped up in conversations Jameson and I have had over the course of our marriage. We don't live on a farm. My children won't really see concrete proof of the work that they do and how it relates to the success or failure of our family. I have read a lot of articles on this, and how to teach children the value of hard work. My conclusion: whatever you decide works for your family from chore charts to family businesses, the core concept is the same as with any other parenting principle. It will work as long as you are consistent over the long haul. The work a child consistently does in their life will teach them to work hard.

Good Book to Read: Nightingale by David Farland -- I originally bought this book because his family was suffering a tragedy and needed the book sales. It had won several awards, so although I didn't know much about it, I figured it was probably a win/win situation. It totally was!! This book made me really think about the power of our memories, and the ideas that define us. Very worthwhile young adult fiction.

Good Series to Watch: Madmen -- That's right, I finally broke down and watched a few episodes. I don't really like the story line or the characters, to be frank. But the costuming and design set are to die for. The portrayal of 1960 Madison Ave is positively entrancing. I almost died when the pregnant woman was drinking and chain smoking.

9 Month Check Up

Packer is now 9 months old and is becoming more and more like a little boy and less and less like a baby everyday. In many ways I am so proud of him (who would have thought that I would be incredibly proud when my child learned to feed himself?) and in many ways I want him to stay little. I have surprised myself with how much I enjoy each stage of motherhood.

To sum up:

Packer is 17.1 oz (5%) and 28.5 in tall (54%) and his head is also somewhere normal, but I don't quite remember.  17.3 in (I just checked the papers).

He is almost sleeping through the night. He goes to bed at 8 pm and wakes up at 6:30, eats and then sleeps for another 2 hours or so. He takes two or three naps, depending on how long he sleeps during said naps. It is either 2 two hour naps or 3 naps, two of which are 1 hour and one is an hour and a half.

He eats three meals and a snack. Due to his low weight (normal for him) the doctor said we may want to start calorie packing his food. Essentially, this boils down to adding lots of fatty things such as whole milk, thick and creamy yogurt, etc.

He crawls around like crazy, but is hesitant to pull himself up past his knees. If properly motivated (such as a phone just outside his reach) he occasionally will pull himself all the way up on the couch. This is a rare occurrence though currently. He seems content to cruise around on his knees for now. I am not complaining, as baby proofing is not at the top of my list.  He can use the pincer grip, but really only does so when he can't grab food whole fisted.

His favorite activities include chewing on his bath toy fishies, playing with a spinning toy (similar to a dreidel) that his Grandma Becky got him, and flirting with everyone he sees. He gets outrageously bored when we spend most of the day at home, and thoroughly enjoys his Mommy and Me group at church and all the children there. He loves to sit in my lap and read books, and demands this before he takes any kind of nap. He is very vocal, if not quite verbal yet. He babbles all during church, and he seems to be beginning to understand what mama and dada means. He loves to go outside, rain or shine, and is only happy when some portion of the day is spent in the great outdoors. He travels fairly well, but needs to have his blanket (crocheted by his Tia Cami) in order to really sleep well. He is beginning to understand 'no' and what our expectations are for behavior, but mostly he is oblivious to these things. We try to keep the rules few and simple (don't bite Mom while nursing is really the only standard right now). He has two teeth and uses them to his full advantage.

Overall, we just love this little sweet baby. We are fortunate that he is so happy and sweet.

Good Books to Read: Nameless by Lili St. Crow -- this is for all those young adult fantasy fans out there. Great twist on Snow White -- including lots of other fairy tale and fantasy creatures. Much darker though, FYI. Also, I loved our book club book 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Good read to understand and develop/improve relationships in your life. I always like to temper my fantasy reads with some nonfiction so that my dreamy head doesn't stay in the clouds.

Great Movie to Watch: Lars and The Real Girl -- I have wanted to watch this for like 5 years, and finally got around to it. I thought it would have more comedy, but it was much more poignant than I expected. I have been reminded so much lately how important it is to have a support system in times of tragedy or crisis or trial. More on that in another post, I am sure. Point being, the movie really showcases how a community can come together to heal.