Summer Pictures

Heres a look at some of the summer pictures not previously posted....

TMI? Yes Im sure....

There are lots of things running through my mind all week. I wish I could turn it off which is why Im sure I ended up with a migraine this morning. Tristans 3:45 wake up call didnt help. There wasnt much sleep after that just cat naps till 5:30 when I fed him. All is well - maybe too good which is why I have been silent. I am constantly trying to say to myself that Im happy this isnt a dream which I will wake up from. See comparisons cant be helped...when I gave birth to Elijiah I thought I had everything. A loving husband, a home, a new baby, we were moving up the career ladder - the future looked bright. Little did I know that the dark was just beginning. Imagine believing you were in your happy place and the rug being pulled out from under you. Well a cheating spouse when you have a several month old baby is quite a shock. Oh I knew in my heart of hearts things were hard. Starting a new job, new baby, less time for us, but I just thought it was a stage- that it too would pass. My body would heal, I would eventually be back in shape, baby would sleep- get older....so really "us" time was here and there but it was ok. We had a precious little boy that WE created. To say that I was devastated is an understatement. I was rocked to my core to think that the man I loved and trusted could do this to our family. That his selfishness eventually lead to so many things- some Im responsible for - others not, but that ultimately made our family separate. To this day thinking about it can make my knees buckle with the effects on both Elijiah and I. No longer do I have my child with me everyday to watch grow and to protect. I have to let him go more times than I would like and sometimes not know what happens with him for days on end. Yes I talk to him but I dont KNOW whats going on. There are things that will never be good. And I have to accept that.

The reason this keeps coming up for me is I know Jonathan and I are rock solid. But for the first time in 5 years Ive let myself become vulnerable again. I love this man more than he will ever know. I find myself at the same time in a new marriage- new baby and wonder if its going to be okay...I do trust Jonathan completely but I have been asking - "Honey we okay? All is well? Were good right? " I have no doubt that Jonathan is a different man than my ex. And that he and I are solid. I dont take what we have lightly and I know you cant take someone for granted or assume that because you live, have children with, love someone that it will all work out fine. Marriage is hard work. Our marriage is better than I ever expected. The movie "waiting to exhale" keeps coming back to me, and it seems like finally its my turn...I can finally breathe again.

House Project

AFTER! Much improved wouldnt you say???!!!!

BEFORE

Jonathan made mention in a below post about our house project. Here are the pictures. We hated the tree and now its gone! Replaced by pretty plants and I have to say we are happy with the results.

Mariann

Mariann and her hubby came out from California for her sister-in-laws wedding. It was a quick weekend trip for them but on their way out of town they came by to spend sunday with Jonathan and I. It was of course wonderful to see them and spend some time. Mariann and I met in the 7th grade after her family moved to Northen Cal from Southern Cal. She entered my 7th grade English class and I wanted to make her feel welcome. Over the years even though we didnt attend the same ward, or highschool, we were the best of friends. She and I moved to Utah together, and were roommates for the first year. After I had Noel, I went to Europe and Mariann met me over there during the summer and we had the best summer of our young lives. We traveled, met tons of people, spent a good amount of time on the beaches and played tons. When we came back to Utah I moved to Salt Lake to go to school, and she stayed in Provo where she eventually met and married Ethan. They returned to California not long after that and we have stayed in touch. We both got pregnant at the same time, only her pregnancy resulted in TRIPLETS ( bless her ) and we gave birth a month apart. We have talked pretty much everyweek during our kids lives and she is one of my closest friends. I hate living so far from my friends that I grew up with, but I know with each of them, that it doesnt matter time or space we will always be there for eachother.

Summer Concert - KT Tunstal (sp?)

So last Wednesday night, I got to skip class and go to a concert at Red Butte with my wifey and son. We had both had a terrible day with a SNAFU situation involving an offer on our house that threatened to put Amber and I into the loony-farm but once we got into the venue and settled in, the stress started to melt away.

I have to say that the chic that opened for KT was INSANE, and not in a good way. She had an absolutely amazing voice but her songs reminded me of Bob Dylan at his "highest" and we just couldn't wait for her to be done. When finally she was finished, KT came on stage and made it all worth it. This little Scottish gal (yeah, SCOTTISH honey, remember our bet!!) started belting out these amazing vocals and hilarious statements in between. We didn't stay for too many songs but both Amber and I were really impressed by her vocal skills and range of style. All in all it was a great night and much needed... even though it was later that night that I started getting the cold from hell... now Amber, Tristan, and I are sick sick sick - and yet, we were able to still do a huge project on the house today. I leave that story for Amber to tell.

Feeding our baby

Jonathan and I are down to the last can of liquid gold for our littleman. I asked him to get on eBay today and secure us some more food for our child. He presented an option and I said "bid bid bid". He sadly reported he lost the bid and is in the hunt again. As I was relaying my feeding woes to my office mate, she crackes up laughing. She said its not unlike the old times of the dad going out to hunt for food for the family and coming back empty handed. The analogy made me chuckle...so true....thus I found the above cartoon picts and had to post.

Go honey go!

Go get some food for our baby!!!!

Work from home

Because our car is in the shop today I needed to work from home. I have never had a more productive day as far as work goes. I dont know what it is, but sometimes I get less done at the office even without a 4 month old by my side. Ive set the living room up for him to play and currently he is next to me on the couch( see above honey?! Jealous I know...sorry!) Im currently exchanging goo goo eyes with my loveyboy...... Tristans been totally content and "chatting" away with me while I work. I love it!

Kindergarten

Elijiah started Kindergarten this week. He is attending "our lady of the lourdes" catholic school and so far its going ok. He was very nervous his first day and I know there is a lot to adjust to. His feedback so far is that he sits in a desk all day, and is hungry. He has to wear a uniform everyday and looks very handsome but he doesnt really like it. He feels hot and says hes in church clothes everyday. Hes already had a run in with an older kid being mean to him - which he was very upset about. ( I guess the kid didnt want to play soccer with him and it hurt his feelings) What can I do?? These are the things that school age kids do to eachother and I cant protect him from. All I can do is share stories of my own school years so he knows he isnt alone.

Anyway here are the pictures of his first day. He wasnt happy about Mom taking pictures- cant you tell?!

Pictures and more Pictures

I havent had a lot of time to post pictures but here are a few that my brother took of us while Noellie was out.

Whats TRUE LOVE?

....When I developed a migraine at work but couldnt leave due to interviews, and I come out of my interview and on my desk is my medication.

My hubby drove home, got my meds, came to my work and dropped them off (downtown)and drove back to his office in Draper. That is just one more example of the man I married. Constantly serving me, and taking care of me. I am one lucky woman.

Absolutely Unforgivable Atrocity!

**WARNING - JONATHAN ON A RANT**

So, I was emotionally impacted more powerfully than I have been by anything in a very long time after reading an article I found online this morning. I'm not going to go into many details as even thinking about it makes me gut-sick but basically, there is a story on the news right now about a father who abused his infant so violently that the child suffered blindness, severe brain damage, and multiple broken ribs. After being on life support for a bit, the mother decided to let the little man go back Home as doctors said that the severity of the brain damage was irrevocable.

HOW COULD ANYONE DO THIS!? I'm lament to say this but if I crossed this "man" on the street today, I would be charged with fury driven strength that would allow me to pick him up and shake him until he was in the same state he left his defenseless and innocent child!! My only consolation is that he will most likely be sent to prison for murder and that even amongst thugs, thieves, and murderers, there is a code when it comes to those that harm children and that within a week of entering his new home, he will be judged and levied punishment by a jury of his peers.

I know that these types of things have been happening on the earth for centuries. Atrocities of centuries past were just as grievous as those of today but with technological advancements, we the people can be served up detailed scripts and photos of all the heinous things we do to each other. I'm starting to feel the anxiety and fear of having a little person that I love with all my heart have to grow up in a world filled with people that are capable of the most mind-numbing atrocities. In the end, I will try my best to allow him to live his life without too much smothering but at the same time I will silently guard over him and the rest of my family and act swiftly and decisively should anyone ever attempt or threaten to cause harm.

Olympics

Unbelieveable! GOLD and SILVER! I sat around for hours waiting for last nights gymnastics, but the previous late nights, and early 4-5am mornings with Tristan made it impossible to keep my eyes open. So first thing this am I have been glued to the internet watching the all around. These two were incredible.

I can't walk today because...

I grew up just miles from some of the most incredible outdoor activities available; in Cody, Wyoming, just a half hour from Yellowstone park. I spent a TON of my time growing up back country camping, fishing, hiking with and without pack horses, rock climbing, etc... When I moved to Utah, I somehow stopped doing all these things in spite of the fact that being outdoors was one of my one true loves. As time passed, I justified sitting behind a computer more and more even though I was SURE that there was amazing outdoor opportunities just miles away.
Amber, amazing in so many ways as usual, has helped motivate me to get outside again and I am so grateful for her even though I can hardly walk today! We decided to drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon yesterday morning to get our butts out-of-doors and we found a little trailhead neither of us had ever investigated. We looked at the map and saw that a little lake called Dog Lake was just a little over 2 miles away and figured we could do it "no problemo". It began quite mildly and it was a really perfect hike. The weather was bright but mild and the scenery was incredible. About 1.5 miles up there was a trail divide which pointed out that Dog Lake was only a little over half a mile away so we prepared for the final stretch. IT WAS ALL STRAIGHT UP HILL, and both Amber and I were dying a little more with each step! I've really slacked off with my physical fitness what with my attempts to become a true Information Technology geek and with the extra 25 pounds on my back, I really truly struggled. After many breaks and moans of agony passed between my wife and I, we made it to the spectacular Dog Lake. Okay, actually, it was far from glorious but we made it and the hike was perfect.
Here are a few snaps of the event. I'm not taking any pictures of the bent-over-90-year-old walk I've got going on today though...

My two boys

So as we visited my grandparents in July--I realized that Tristan and Elijiah were the same age when we took the babies to visit. 3 Months old. So that prompted me when I got back from California, to get out some of Elijiah pictures and see the differences between my two boys. As you can see my grandpa has aged quite a bit, but man ---hes still truckin' for 90.....
Grandpa and Tristan2008

Grandpa and Elijiah 2003

Elijiah 3 months- what a chunk! He was my buddah baby!

Tristans first feeding....in the big boy high chair

Elijiahs first feeding- 4mo.( hes actually eating in his swing because regardless that he was 27 inches tall, and was close to 18lbs he wasnt all that solid sitting up by himself yet...:)

Arnt my boys the cutest????!!!!