Happy,sad and spooky halloween

Jackson sports his new "future MBA" shirt and is happy about it!

This is just spooky! Thanks Aunt Carly for coming to visit!

Jackson has such a good temprament that even when he sad I can trick him into smiling with a happy animated voice and my own smiles. Sometimes it comes naturally because Jackson's sad face is so cute that I start laughing at it. He really epitomizes the "sad" look.

You're even more wrong!

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

You're ALL wrong!

Results are in and he looks more like me!

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

"Most Weird"

Dave and I won the "most weird award" at our Halloween party. We are not really sure what we are, but we just put some crazy wigs and hats on. Really we wanted to show off Jackson's monster costume (the picture is lacking his paws and claws). Jackson however didn't win best baby costume . . . the other monster baby did. Jackson was MAD! We really need to teach him not to be so competetive. Any ideas?

Strongest man in the world

This is one of my favorite pictures because Jackson's eyes are so big and blue. (Stop looking at his cleavage!) Everyone thinks Jackson's eyes just might stay blue. What do you think? Jackson is getting super strong. He likes to be standing on his two legs as often as possible. He pulls his head off the ground or out of his carseat and holds it up like he is trying to sit up. When he is on his stomach he can hold his head up (higher everyday) for a long time. He is amazing.

Here is a photo from our dating days (my 25th birthday) and then us hiking last weekend with one addition. Same shot, one new creation. Here is a visual of how kids come between marriages!

Joys of Motherhood

I feel like I prepared for the worst as I became a mother. I heard about the long nights, the post partum, the dirty diapers, the crying and crying, the pain of nursing, and the major responsibility of having a child. I tried to be prepared in every way for the "trying times" ahead.
However, much to the contrary (and to my surprise) motherhood has brought me more joy than I thought possible. I do understand that every woman has a different experience and a very different baby. My experience might only be because I had an easy recovery and a very easy "textbook" baby who responded exactly the way the books told me he would.
I wanted to give the shout out to others who may be thinking about having a baby: Being a mother is JOYFUL.
The rewards of a smile or laugh are indescribable. Watching a baby learn and discover is exciting and encouraging. (I also realize that I may feel this because I am a teacher and I get joy out of watching kids learn and grow, but doesn't everyone?) The first time Jackson discovered how to splash in his bath I was filled with such satisfaction and happiness.

Listening to him laugh, sing, coo or smile "with his whole body"- especially when his eyes light up,fills my heart. Even his tears and crying are "cute". My fears of being bored or feeling unfulfilled have never occurred. I love being a mother. I think the rewards are greater than I imagined. I recommend it to anyone! I give tribute to Jackson for making my transition into motherhood so easy and so fun!

I feel like I know why the church teaches so strongly about fulfilling our roles in our family. I know that being a mother was a part of my nature that I didn't even know was there. I feel being a wife and a mother is helping me to reach my divine potential more than anything else I have tried in life. I thank Heavenly Father for the knowledge of the importance of families in this life.

Tagged- 7 unique/ wierd things about me

I don't think I have 7, I am REALLY normal, but here's to trying to be unique (I tried to think of it from different people's perspectives because in everyone's eyes you have strange qualities:

1. What my husband thinks is weird about me: I am totally ok if he spends a couple hundred dollars on technology or other items, but I grill him if he spends a couple of dollars on lunch.

2. What my mom thinks is weird: I'm a believer! Whatever I read or hear, I believe. When I read that babies need a special detergent I was determined to get some for my baby. I have since found out that it is not necessarily true. I love to read and get knowledge about things happening in my life, the problem is that I don't read (or watch movies or TV) with a critical mind. I tend to take things as truth until I read or hear otherwise. My husband has started to help me to be able to critique movies and not just say that I like them all.

3. What my readers think is weird: I LOVE comments on my blog. I get satisfaction and pleasure over knowing people think my pictures or thoughts are funny. (Sandra, you think I am funny, right?) So I try to comment on others blogs hoping to give them the same happiness.

4. What my son thinks is weird: my face- it makes him laugh

5. What my students think is weird: I have a secret ambition to be an aerobics instructor, so I wear a headset and a box around my waist that will project my voice and make it louder while I teach PE. It sure saves my voice and commands more attention from those who suffer from attention deficit!

6. Secret weirdness: I secretly love watching "Law and Order" and CSI. I know they are morbid shows but I love all the plot twists and ways they solve the crime. This is probably why I have so many nightmares.

7. I spelled weird wrong (wierd) 7 times before I realized the red dots below it meant it was spelled wrong. Don't worry though, I graduated as a TEACHER magna cum laude from BYU . . . shows you how much that means!

Tagging 7 other weird friends: Tyler, Sally, Dixie, Megan, Kelly, Emily ( I love to read your funniness and there have been no posts for a while) and Kylee

Spit-up Suprises

Although Jackson is very polite and chooses not to spit-up very often, this is a cause for concern. Because he isn't consistent in spitting up,I am always unprepared for the white liquid mess.

This is a picture as I push him away suprised at the spit-up coming out. Places I have found spit up:

• Splattered on the tile of the kitchen floor
• My shoulder and chest
• my pant leg
• inside his pacifier and all around his mouth a chin.
• the sheets of my bed
• the sheets of his bed
• my lap
• And the worst: we were playing superman and he let one go . . . down my shirt, under my garments and through my bra (too graffic? sorry!) At least I had enough sense not to drop him in surprise!

Whose child is this anyway?

I guess since Monday is my blogging day I am posting way too much today and it would be more meaningful if I spread it out, but . . . make sure you read all the new ones! Ever since Jackson was born we have been trying to figue out who he looks like. I still think neither of us. Take the quiz to your right to tell us what you think. Here are some photos of Dave and I as babies to help you out!

Deals this week at Rite Aid- go before Wed!

All this medicine was free! Original Price: Theraflu: 6.29; Triaminic: 6.99; Comtrex: 5.99; Soft lips: 3.99; Chest rub: 3.99; Chloroseptic: 4.49; Lip moisture: 2.99; Kids cold: 6.99; Sucrets: 2.99; Cold sore: 14.99 ;Novitra cold sore: 13.99; Excedrin: 4.69
Total in products: 78.38
All of these are on sale and if you enter your receipt online at rite aid (very easy to do). . . They are absolutely FREE! You do have to pay tax . . but I thought $4.06 was a fair price for this! (Plus, I have a credit card that gives me 5% back at drugstores, I will get $3.05 back for this purchase! AND you can use flex spending accounts to buy some of these!) PLUS, the Sucrets had a $1.50 rebate sticker on them . . . so I made $.50 :) I love getting a deal!

Herbal essense hair supplies were 2/$6 and I had a $3 off coupon from sunday's paper. so 2/$3
Always pads: 5.99 on sale: 4.99 $1 rebate $1 coupon: Final price 1.99

The sale on medicine goes until Wednesday, there are more things for free that I didn't buy, so go have fun looking and taking for free!

Inspired by an earthly angel-Rosemary Mackay

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend Dave's aunt funeral. I didn't know her well, but was inspired and loved by her just like all who came in contact with her. She was serving a mission in Tahiti when the doctors found cancer in August, she returned home. Only two months later she passed away. In the face of Death, many of us look at our own life and wonder if we are truly ready if we were called to meet our Maker. I was inspired by the words at her funeral and want write them so I won't forget too quickly those things I want to improve before the end of my life.

• The things she takes with her are the greatest things she leaves with us: love, testimony, relationships, etc


• A mother's love is enobling. It is the safest place, but she had developed this love even deeper and more pure.


• She took opportunities when she visited family to teach them the gospel.


• President Worthlin was quoted saying that every loss we have will be made up to us in the end. This really struck me because a few months after Dave was born, Rosemary was suppose to have a baby girl who died shortly before birth. They had a flower on the stand from this baby saying "Welcome Home." Maybe it is just because I recently became a mother, but imagining this reunion made me so happy for both of them and so thankful for the atonement that made it possible.


• Rosemary made everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world. She really listened and cared when you talked. She sought the individual. I wish I were like this!


• The part that hit me the most was after her son went through various memories he had of his mother and after much praise, he admitted that she was not perfect. And that this in fact was the best gift that she left her children. They watched her make the transformation from a human to an angel. She used the atonement to come closer and closer to her Heavenly Father and become a better servant of Christ. She was truly filled with the love and peace of Christ near the end of her life. This gives me hope. It truly is the greatest gift she left us, a chance to see that it can be done . . . we can in fact change and be like the Savior.
  

Also inspiring, was the love and care that my mother-in-law gave as Rosemary suffered with cancer and peacefully left this life.

Blessings, Blessings and more Blessings

Blessing #1: Jackson Thomas was blessed by Dave on Sunday, October 12, 2008. He was blessed with patience (very necessary with Dave and I as parents :)) He was blessed to love the principles of the gospel and live as an example and a humble servant of Christ. He was blessed to love learning. We love Jackson in our lives. He is a blessing and a joy to us. We hope to give good blessings and love to him.

Blessing #2: Although a family death brought Dave's siblings into town, we were blessed to have their presense at our home and church. Lori (and her little girl Megan) from Texas and Rich from Washington DC made the trip to honor Jackson's life. Thanks for being here!

Blessing #3: Jackson slept 8 hours after being super cute, smily and cooing/singing all afternoon and evening!

Blessing #4: Dave got an interview at his conference this weekend. He made alot of contacts and is learning how to "market and sell" himself (not immoral in this case :)). He safely made it to Atlanta and back. I am glad he is home.

Blessing #5: I spent the weekend with my family (in-laws and Ahlstroms) I am so grateful to be so close to enjoy the blessings of family bonds and fun. I love the unconditional love I feel from both families (although my real family has to love me, my in-laws choose to (or at least pretend to :))

Addicted to shopping (for deals)

Lately my new obsession is getting a good deal. I've been cutting coupons and reading blogs and sites that help and give advice. So far I've only gotten a few great deals, and had a few times when I spent more than I should have on items we don't 'need'. But it will take practice to get good right? I am super proud of last nights purchases so I have to brag just a little.

At Walgreens, I got all of this for $3.12. Just to prove how great of a deal it was here's the break down:

Fantastick cleaner: $3.79
On sale for 2.50
$1 rebate
$1 off coupon
Final price: .50

Windex cleaner: 3.99
On sale 2/ $5
$1 Walgreen's coupon
$.75 off coupon:
Final price: .75

Crest toothpaste: 2.79
On sale 1.99
$1 Walgreen's coupon
$1 off coupon
Final price: they paid me 1 cent

Oral B toothbrush: $4.49
On sale 1.99
$1 Walgreen's coupon
$.75 off coupon
Final Price: $ .24

Rimmel foundation: $7.49
Rebate $7.49
Final price: free

L'oreal cleanser: $6.99
Rebate: $6.99
$2 off coupon
Final price: They paid me $2 to take this!

Trident gum:
On sale: $. 66
$.55 off coupon
Final price: $.12

Visine eye drops: $3.99
$2 Wallgreen's coupon
$1 off coupon
Final price: $ .99

Selsun blue: $8.99
Randomly found on the clearance shelf: $2.24

I had to pay $1.84 in tax and there are no coupons :(

So total in products: $43.18
Final price: 3.12

I am still not as good as the girl who can come out of the store with more money than she went in with, but I am working on it! If you have any great coupons I would love them!

WWF-babies

This is why every man dreams of having a boy:
(I know my attention span for blog baby videos is about 30 seconds, but I tried to cut it down, these were just too funny. At least watch the end where Dayton gives a cheap shot and Jackson blinks in response. :) )
Dayton and Jackson, the cousin fun begins . . .

See, here they are giving stones, they really are buds. We thought the conference weekend was the perfect time to teach our kids how to fight. We had such a fun time at both of our families homes. Jackson was the center of attention and certainly didn't disappoint. He is such a cutey and is interacting, cooing, singing and moving for everyone to see.

I really enjoyed President Monson's talk on change. A baby certainly does change . . .and quickly. I like that he talked about not having regrets for the way that we treat the people we love most. He said not to let problems become more important than people. I hope to live that way. He is so inspirational.