Santa's Lap

Today we ventured to the mall (for the second day in a row) to sit on

Santa's lap

Jaxson loves it more than life.

I LOVE that I am available to take him:)

I could definitely get used to all this T-I-M-E

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Other children cry and whimper, clinging to their mothers shirt.

Not my son.

Jaxson pushes past them and climbs up on his knee...blinking 100 miles an hour and batting his eyelashes. Little squirt.

I swear I don't know where all this personality came from?!?

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TONIGHT the visit went a little something like this:

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Santa: What do you want for Christmas?

Jaxson: I have no idea

Santa: What do you like?

Jaxson: Oh...I remember. I want a HUGE four wheeler and trucks that can PULL motorcycles on trailers!

Santa: That sound fun! Have you been eating all your dinner?

Jaxson: I just barely ate a whole pizza

(total lie)

Santa: Good! Have you been being good for your mom and dad?

Jaxson: Well...Lasterday (Jaxson's combo of "last night" and "yesterday") my dad put me in time-out and spanked my butt.

Santa: Well I'm glad you are being better today.

Jaxson: Yep

Santa: Well I have a coloring book for you to take home.

Jaxson: You already gave me one Lasterday, remember.

Santa: You can have another one, deal?

Jaxson: Thanks.

(he jumps off his lap...and into the stroller)

We are on our way towards the exit...and Jaxson turns and yells..

"Bye Santa...I'll call you Later."

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The entire line was laughing.

So was I.

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He sure is a lot of fun right now.

I can't wait to see him on Christmas.

Me, My mom, Mother-in-law and Sister are SOOOO excited to watch him.

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I guess it's time for another grandbaby...on either side!

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Hope you're enoying your Holiday Season.

it's over...and we made it...

I am alive.

(I say this more out of amazement myself...then to assure you that I am)

We survived the experience of building a house...and life is starting to feel normal again.

Thank heavens.

Every few hours I venture into the garage and get a box which I then unpack.

Eventually I will finish...but I am in no hurry.

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As promised I am laying on my couch right now doing absolutely nothing. I mentioned MANY times that I planned on doing that and now I plan on following through 100%:):)

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Jaxson has a routine...he has is own bedroom (my favorite room in the house:) complete with his very own "SPORTS SHRINE" and basketball hoop that keeps score of his shots mounted by his big boy bed. I get to spend my days with him...I get to cook him mac-n-cheese for lunch and read him books while we cuddle on the couch. I guess he's memorized 3-4 books while I've been away these few months. He can practically read them to me! All of these things that sound "normal" for most...and possibly even boring....are things I didn't realize I loved until 5 months ago when I started running errands and never stopped until last Tuesday.

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Thankfully Jaxson is slowly forgetting the hell that was his life for the past 5 months.

I'm telling you...it gave me a whole new persective to how lucky I am. I am more grateful for my friends (Gaylyn and Marcie who tended my child, fed him, gave him naps DAILY for months just because they're kind and generous people) I am more grateful for my husband (who works everyday so I can stay home and really just play with Jaxson all day and browse the isles of hobby lobby:) I am grateful for my parents...my mom who also tended Jaxson every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the past 3 months and my dad who just dedicated his time and expertise in building this house with me and FOR my family (for free:):):)

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WOW...it was quite the ride. The past 5 months.

Emotional, Stressful, Mentally and Physically exhausting, Stressful, Stressful and Stressful.

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I am glad it's over...and all at the perfect time.

I love this season.

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I am sitting here on the couch, christmas music playing, our 3 stockings hung from the fireplace in a row and Jaxson finishing up a bowl of Lucky Charms and toast.

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I just found my camera...but I refuse to do anything, remember. That included take pictures and put any kind of effort into getting them from the card onto this computer.

I will momentarily be turning on a movie...and I may or may not be moving for the next few hours.

See---Jaxson keeps hugging me and saying "Mom...you're my very best friend".

I almost forgot how much I love spending time with him...

p.s. I would love visitors.

C-A-R-P-E-T

We got carpet.

This is how we felt about it.

We did snow angels for hours.

Jaxson ran around and practiced "sliding" into home.

It smelled wonderful.

Me and MY MOTHER vacuumed it just for fun:)

(Jarom laughed and kept asking...why?...then realized we are one in the same.

My mother and me.

We've almost made it!

(I get internet tomorrow in Layton...Jarom's one request was that we have Cable, Internet, and Phone before every stepping foot in the house permanently:) They are coming tomorrow to get us all hooked up....and we will finally be ready to go!

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I will be busy for a bit...but hopefully will be back to leading

a normal life (and blogging way too often) in no time!

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I started unpacking boxes yesterday that I haven't seen in over a year and a half!

It was like Christmas....so many memories of Law School...and my old life:)

So many things I cherish...so many things I can't wait to sale on KSL!!!!

ha ha ha

WE ARE MOVING!!!!!

YYYYYEEEEESSSSSS

HALLOWEEN NIGHT!

...Jaxson the Tiger...

Halloween 2009

Jaxson LOVED his Tiger costume

He had the best little growl, professional clawing actions and the works! For some reason he was awfully concerned that he didn't have scary "eyes". He kept saying..."Mom...I can't be a Tiger. I don't have scary eyes!!!" I don't know where he get's this stuff...truly I don't.

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He spent the entire day getting spoiled at Grandma Bishop's...and when I picked him up about 5:00 p.m. he was FULL of sugar and exausted! We got him dressed up and only made it down the block before he announced that he was TIRED...which was perfectly fine with me:) So was I.

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We came home and enjoyed pumpkin bread bowls with homemade corn chowder, apples and carmel dip, sausage cheese dip, sugar cookies and EYEBALL donut holes that Jaxson helped grandma Natalie make. Oh my goodness. I love when my mom cooks for holidays:)

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That pretty much sums it up!!!

We played a few games with my family...and seriously went to bed at 10:00 p.m.

HANDS DOWN THE EARLIEST WE HAVE GONE TO BED IN OVER A YEAR!!!!

(I plan to do it more often)

Only downside: I woke up at 2:00 a.m. ready to go for the day.

I'm simply not used to that much sleep!

I about had an anxiety attack having to stay in bed that long.

I have problems.

That is proof:)

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This should be a big week for us!

We plan to "start" moving this weekend...because I'm sure it will take at least a week alone to move our crap. I'm renting a U-haul tomorrow. So wierd:) Unpacking will take months I swear...but I'm taking it one day at a time:) I am very excited...which is truly a refreshing change from "STRESSED LIKE CRAZY".

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN

from us to you...

HAPPY Fall...and Halloween!

...from us to all of you...

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Jaxson is practicing up on his ROAR today.

He's going to be the best TIGER on the block!

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Stay tuned for hilarious pictures of his growl and clawing actions!

Maybe a video will accompany them as well...if I'm super ambitous:)

...to prove we KNOW it's Fall...

We've been a tad bit busy this season.

Example:

I knew it was October...

--- BUT ----

I was just informed that Halloween is in 48 hours......

approximately 24 hours ago:)

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Good thing I purchased Jaxson's costume 3 months ago when life was simple and I had nothing better to do than dream of dressing him up. Oh...those were the days:)

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He MAY get to go trick or treating if we're lucky....

and can stain an entire staircase at the speed of light:)

(yes- I will be devastated if this occurs, but unfortunately it is my reality)

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We have not participated in A SINGLE FALL activity this year...which is so unlike me.

So today between errands...we made a pitstop.

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I had 30 minutes to spare...

so I left my phone in the car and we picked some pumpkins for carving!

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(I just realized while typing this post...that finding time to CARVE them may be yet another dilemma:)

The good news:

He found the perfect one!

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...and even though he was sick with a slight temperature, running nose and extremely tired...

He was instantly in heaven!

He was so happy to spend time with me...it made me bawl like a baby for a good 15 minutes.

(this was a nice moment...because he spent the majority of the day begging for my good friend and his babysitter MARCIE:)

It also made me realize something.

A child ONLY needs love and attention:)

He doesn't need a nice house, new toys, or darling apparrel. He doesn't care about anything but quality time and attention!

I've thought hard about working or pursuing several "hobbies" of mine after we move and finally get settled. However, I decided this afternoon that JAXSON and MOTHERHOOD will be my full-time job and most favorite hobby.

He is such a goofball (as you can see) and I am proud to be his mama:)

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He kept saying

"THANKS SO MUCH MOM! LET'S GET DADDY ONE TOO, OK!"

"OH MY GOODNESS...OH MY GOODNESS!"

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There was our one and only FALL outing!

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He loved it...I documented it...

and this is proof we "KNOW" it's Fall:)

(and that Fall 2009 actually happened)

(Oh---how I miss taking pictures and spending afternoons with my hysterical 2 year old)

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WINTER IS GOING TO AWESOME

(this is my attempt at being optimistic)

jaxson--isms and Jamael....

I will start with Jamael...and save the best for last....(my hilarious Jaxson:)

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I leave my house tonight... (the one that is still under construction and therefore has no electricity, toilets, heat, etc) and it is late...like usual. I am dreading the daily drive home from Layton. I think to myself "I wish Krispy Kreme was open right now. That is the ONLY thing that could make this drive bareable."

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Instead I swing into Flying J. I walk in and am looking for the first baked good I can see to numb the pain and stress I feel. It happened to be cookies. I grabbed them and approached the counter. (In comes Jameal to the story). He was my 7 foot tall, Black and extremely nice (with extremely big earrings) checker-outer this evening. He smiled, scanned my cookies and said "UUUmmm....Are you having a good night?"

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I thought for a moment.

I started to laugh.

He started to laugh.

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I responded...."Jameal...I just walked into a gas station. This late at night. Alone. I am buying a pack of cookies...and only a pack of cookies. I guess I could be better!"

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We both just started hysterically laughing.

I guess that's the only thing to do when your stress is so high...you can't even cry:)

Have a good laugh.

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Anyhow....

I just walked in the door and have a million other priorities than blogging...but I had to share some hilarious comments I am getting from my 2 year old child these days.

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Most 2 year olds (if you sit and listen long enough) come up with the most random and completely hysterical things.

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A few of my favorites this week: (keep in mind I see him only 1 hour a day right now...so many of these things are during phone calls)

This evening:

My phone rings....

Me: Hello!

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Jaxson: Hi mom! What are you doing?!? I miss you...and love you. Guess What....when you get home I'm going to say "CUTE BUTT MOM!" and give you a hug.

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Me: That sounds great son. I'll be looking forward to it.

(....me thinking...What in the.....!)

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A few days ago I am about to get in the shower and Jaxson barges into the bathroom.

Jaxson: "HI mom! Whatcha doing?

Me: "Showering...be good ok!"

Jaxson: "I'll play with my trucks ok." as he gives me a hug.

(he turns to leave....looks at my nude reflection in the mirror and says...)

Jaxson: "Cute butt mom"

(he exits the bathroom, while I stand there stunned)

Where does he get this stuff?????

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The phone rings the other day and he insists on answering EVERY phone call that comes to this house.

It's Kelsey...my brother Ryan's girlfriend who is simply adorable and I must admit...I am green with envy of her perfect "shape". (hee hee)

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Jaxson answers: HELLO!

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Kelsey: Hi Jaxson....

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Jaxson: Hi Kelsey!!! What are you doing? You have nice boobs.

(...again, I'm thinking...What in the....!)

He now tells her this every single time she comes over.

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Last night my mom is making white chocolate covered popcorn...delicious! The popcorn was popping in the microwave and Jaxson climbs onto a barstool.

Jaxson: "LOOK NANNY! Popcorn is popping on the Apricot!"

(my child is nuts. I can't get over him though, how funny is that)

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This morning I awoke to the feeling that somebody was staring at me...and sitting WWWAAAYYY to close. Ya know that feeling? Well...I opened my eyes and Jaxson was kneeling right next to my head. He reached down and grabbed me tight around the neck and exclaimed...

"OOOHHH FFWEETHEART...you're awake. I love you FFFWWEETHEART."

(that one was pretty darn great)

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Last but not least...

Jaxson has learned a few things living at "our house" and currently our house consists of grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, uncle Ryan, and often times uncle Stephen, Aunt Kayla and Uncle Nate. We stay busy...and there is ALWAYS something going on here:)

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He has learned to stand up for himself...and unfortunately picked up on more than I can control in an environment filled with adults and only 1 child!!! He is mawled and wrestled and tickled by one of the 8 adults every second of every day.

He yells...he makes jokes for attention. He mimicks everything he sees:)

The other day out of the blue he shouts to my brother Ryan

"HEY RYAN....YOU LIKE BOYS! HA HA HA"

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I know what you are thinking.

...but the point is...you are also laughing. Hard.

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Fact: My child is downright hysterical right now. He is 2 going on 18 and I since I don't have the time to fix it....I am enjoying it:) Embracing it and sharing it with all of you! Enjoy

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He's naughty and too smart for his own good...but we'll keep him:)

...weeeeks ago....

Weeks ago when I had a life...or even two seconds of extra time (I think on conference Sunday perhaps) I threw together a few scrapbook pages:)

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Two of them were saved as the wrong kind of document....which makes me want to scream....but at least I kicked out another handful to add to the book! I'm not sure why....but I LOVE to scrapbook. I feel like I'm doing something good....(It's possibly my love of being creative and my love for photographing my child...combined into one project that makes it so rewarding and fulfilling). Who knows. All I know is I spend WAY too much time and money on the Sweet Shoppe Designs website!

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I plan on getting all caught up after Christmas. By Feb...I will have all my pages DONE and printed into books:) How's that for a goal?!?

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Here's a good start anyway....

Lake Powell 2009

(this was only in July...so I'm not too behind:):)

Side 1

Side 2

There....now I feel like I haven't neglected my blog.

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p.s. I put on a doorknob today. Well...with the help of my husband....but I totally did it.

I am learning knew things everyday. Things I never imagined I would do...most of them I never wanted to...but hey, I'm plugging along with a (pretend) smile on my face!

I deserve some kind of credit!!!

love, me

...still crazy busy...

No pictures again.

My life is full right now...TOO FULL

Not even sure where my camera is.

I think I saw it floating around in my dad's truck?!?

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One piece of advice.

It's simple...and if you like yourself one single bit and don't deserve any kind of cruel and unusual punishment you will listen to me.....

BUY A HOUSE...NEVER BUILD A HOUSE....

I repeat.

BUY A HOUSE...NEVER BUILD!

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I just got home (12:45 p.m.) after midnight for the 8th night straight:) I haven't seen my baby in weeks it feels like....and I'm trying to be content just watching other people (and their blogs) enjoy FALL....since I am totally missing it. wwwaaahhh.

All the pumpkin patches and homemade goodies look like sooooo much fun.

I am happy for you all.

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Instead, my fingernails are permanently dirty....like I was just awarded "employee of the month" and jiffy lube. My sister and I stained my entire front door on Sunday. Yes it took over 5 hours...and yes it was the sabbath. Sad thing is....it's not finished. I will spend hours doing touch-ups...then top coat...then of course the door knob, etc. etc. ....and to think...that's just the front door! It feels like I could spend months there and never leave and the work would never get done! THERE is so much mud and dirt. I swept and mopped 50 times today...I sucked up bags of rocks and mud with the shopvac...and still....you should see the mess!

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It feels a lot like camping. Being there everyday. No toilets, no running water, no food, no electricity. If you need a laugh just think: I have been working at my house every night huddled up to a spotlight to get warm...peeing under the deck in the dirt. Yes...I just said that.

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My parents say "you'll look back on this experience and love it!"

ummmmm. Never. ha ha ha.

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On a more positive note:

My grandma drove 4 hours to stay for the week and tend my child all day every day for me. I am the luckiest. She rules...and I love her to pieces. She called tonight to let me say "goodnight" to Jaxson over the phone and told me she took him to the park. I wanted to cry right then. I am sooooo glad I have such a great family and that they really step up at stressful and overwhelming times in my life. I'm glad Jaxson is getting some kind of "normalcy" in his completely disheveled life right now. She even did my laundry today and ironed Jarom's shirt for work!

I am just struggling to do it all:):)

that happens to others right?!?

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We (my husband and me) officially just layed a hardwood floor! It looked pretty damn good if I can say that....UNTIL, somebody dropped a measuring tape on it today and put a giant hole in it. AAAAAGGGHHHH. I wish I could say I had control...but I fell to the ground and gasped in horror:( I waited until they had left of course....and then Jarom and I laid on the ground filling it with murphys oil scratch cover for 20 minutes just hoping it would disappear.

Nope. It didn't.

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Another joyful experience today: I was quickly buckling my child in his carseat...holding his blanket, sippy, my purse, my pink notebook (house building bible...must be in hands at all times) and 10 other items and I sat my blackberry on the roof of the car. Needless to say...it's toast. MILLIONS of pieces. Normally I would have continued driving.....but not right now! I don't have time for this. I pulled over...jumped out and ran like a crazy woman all over the middle of the freaking lane....in search of my ABSOLUTELY MOST IMPORTANT THING IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW....MY SIM CARD!!! The phone that houses each and every subcontractors phone number...and the phone that rings every 2 seconds all 24 hours of every day...was now destroyed.

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Yes I had a complete come apart.

I bawled like I haven't in months...and it felt good.

Oh...so...good:)

I found it though...the SIM CARD that is.

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I popped it in Jarom's old Razor...and now am sporting a phone that sings "THE OFFICE" theme song every time I get a call. Sweet.

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well....

The good news is I will survive!

whether or not I want to....I will live through this experience:)

....and if I'm lucky...it will all be worth it....

Someday:)

the 15th

Because it is well after midnight...and that means I have made it to the 15th...(thus surviving half of October) I plan on rewarding myself to a treat tomorrow:)

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I'm thinking ice-cream.

(I treat myself to one every day it seems...but that is neither here or there:)

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I'm thinking Cold Stone.

I'm also thinking that I will order the "GOTTA LOVE IT" size.

Ya know...the size in which you nonchalantly act as though your husband is in the car waiting to share it with you...and you ask for 2 spoons just to really convince them ;)

....and then happily devour the entire thing yourself with ease....

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Yep. Tomorrow you'll find me at Cold Stone...having a good cry of relief that I made it this far....and crying harder that I still have so far left to go.

love, me