Three years baby!

Zach may not be all that into Valentine's Day or even Mother's day for that matter...but he sure is great at anniversaries!

On Tuesday will mark the day we agreed to spend eternity together just three years ago. I'm not going to lie...it's getting increasingly hard to remember what life was like before that day and I don't think I ever want to go back.

Since our anniversary falls on the same day as my biggest final this semester and a full day of work we decided to take the weekend off for a little romantic fun.

C had a sleep over with his uncles H and M while we took off out of Utah County to enjoy a real city:)

Zach made all the plans this year....ok he does every year. I guess my gift to him is smiling and telling him how great he is. We checked into the Hotel Monaco around 3:30pm and rushed to get much needed massages. We are knot free for the time being and boy does that feel nice, I give it a week:)

For dinner we walked down to The Melting Pot. It was fun to reminisce about our 1st anniversary. Same restaurant...different Bailee (I was 9 months pregnant then). The food was just as good as our memories had made it out to be, and we tried a new dessert..and we found a new FAVORITE!!!

We walked back to our cozy hotel room with a king sized bed (which is a nice change from our full that we normally share with a 100 pound dog and a wiggly 2 year old) and watched Fred Clause (it was on TNT) while relazing. We both agreed on how much we love our little man but it was nice to spend a night just the two of us.

We slept in this morning and enjoyed breakfast. We lazily drove back to the bubble to get our little man and rescue the lazy dog from his outdoor camping trip (aka the shed in the backyard).

I'm so lucky. so so so lucky.

Oh and The Hotel Monaco is getting it's own little post later on this week. I honestly love this place and can't wait to tell you about it!

Twas the day before...Thanksgiving

And all through the house all the creatures were stirring, even the mouse.

Some cookie dough was made, for father dear and his office buddies who needed some cheer.

The child, not nestled in his bed with care, but standing on a toilet finding zebra hair.

And in the kitchen there rose such a clatter, and we found that Bruce had made a disaster.

After cleaning with care we grabbed all the grub and headed to work to meet the hubs.

The babe and the daddy greeted with glee, have you ever seen C so happy?

Ok I know enough with the silly rhyming, today was just that good. It was such a great reminder of why tomorrow is so important to me. I guess as I get older (GASP!) I am more and more grateful for all the happy things I have in my life. Even the trials are so fantastically meant for me.

I am a lucky, lucky woman.

hacking

CA CAaaaaa.....Caaaa....ca....

yup. C and I have a bad case of the coughs. And maybe a little bit of pink eye. I'm enjoying the time with my baby boy but I wish it was in better circumstances:)

The Man who does bedtime well...

This is a little tribute to the man who is great at bedtime.

Two months ago, before I started working nights, I always put Canyon to bed. The first couple of days of my new night shift, Zach would let him stay up until I got home but that was exhausting for me. So, he stepped it up and things have never been better at bedtime.

Before: Sitting in Canyon's room for an hour waiting for him to fall asleep.

After: laying with C for about 15 minutes and leaving, asleep or not.

Before: Tip toeing across the room just hoping the door won't squeak on your way out.

After: A big kiss and walking to the door, turning and leaving.

Before: Hysterical screams if the door screeched.

After: a cute glance.

My hubby knows how to teach a little boy to fall asleep on his own.

When you start a family you always have a little fear of how each of you will do as parents. You look at how the other acts around kids at church or their cousins. Zach has exceeded every expectation. He is the best daddy. He has taught Canyon so much and I'm so glad I lucked out.

Ewe for the mush...I know. What can I say? He needs to know he's appreciated.

Outsmarted

We've been outsmarted.

Ever see that movie Mouse Hunt? I used to feel like the mouse was the victim, it wasn't.

The cold has brought a few new "friends" into our home and they make their appearances mostly while we're relaxing after C goes to bed. We're debating buying a "No Vacancy" sign to put outside, just so they know.

Last night Zach set a few more traps (which worked last week) and an hour or so later checked them. Well there were no caught mice but the dog food bait had been taken.

We've been outsmarted and I didn't eat breakfast this morning due to my intense fear of rodents.

I'm seriously considering getting a cat for the winter so something is keeping these little guys in check. Anyone know how to get around pet allergies?

A little accomplishment

I've never been a distance runner but it's not always easy to be on a soccer team while working, going to school and attempting to be a good mom. I've been running and my goal for the last two years was to run a half marathon. Last Saturday was the day. I will admit I wasn't quite ready for it and I paid in soreness the two days following the race. The first 7 miles went so well. Miles 8 and 9 were perfect. The hard ones were the last three. I think that's where I needed a running buddy to keep up with a certain pace. I made it though, and all without walking once! I may have jogged a tad slower at times than I would have walking but I did it! The official times were just posted yesterday.....and mine was....

2 hours 20 minutes and 19 seconds!

That's about a 10 minute mile...a little more but not quite an 11 minute mile average.

I know it's not the best and I'm sure if I train even more I could do even better but I feel good. It's one of those things that you dream of doing but never do. I'm glad I did:) I'll definitely be doing another one.

I was really lucky to have an entourage to cheer me on. Zach and C parked towards the end of the race and cheered me on in the last mile. It made it all that much sweeter.

Adventure!

I don't think I've ever gone a whole month without blogging! I'm glad to be back though. Things have been super busy around our house. I'm working full time for a little while to supplement Zach's part time income. He should be going full time in December and we can rearrange that a little bit.

October was a super fun month in our house, we especially loved Halloween. Zach and Canyon get to spend a lot of time together so this last month they did a lot of the Halloween preparations while mom was at work. They mostly scouted out what they wanted to dress up as and Canyon Loved the Halloween stores. I sure have a little boy on my hands.

After much deliberation here are our costumes for 2011.

Yup. Batman, Robin and the thief that stole their hearts:) I know cheesy:) I just wasn't up for tight leather boots. I was really surprised at how many people bought their costumes. I enjoyed my home made costumes growing up and always felt like they were so awesome. I loved making these this year but I'm afraid we looked like the rag muffins at the ward trunk or treat, oh well, I had fun making them and they were definitely in the budget.

Canyon found a new favorite thing this month, and no, not candy (although he really likes that too). Pumpkins. We carved ours a week or so and ever since C and the Jack'o'lantern have been attached at the hip. One morning Canyon fed the pumpkin M&M's for breakfast while he ate his cereal. I laughed that C didn't think of eating the M&M's himself....no....those were just for his pumpkin:)

Canyon loves to sit outside on the porch with the pumpkin, We couldn't get him to go back inside the night we took some pictures so we just kept taking shots!! Halloween is so fun with a little one.

General Conference

I didn't realize how much I needed the words of the prophets and apostles. I'm glad I'm here, at home, soaking in the precious truths that I need to be reminded of. I love general conference.

finding the right things to say

I've been half dreading this blog post. I just don't know how to put into words the events of the last 7 days. I don't think my life, or outlook, will ever be the same.

Most of you heard about this little guy making his big debut a week from today. He was born at 29 weeks but at a hospital known for it's NICU. We were all so hopeful. Unfortunately things took a turn for the worse and little Princeton returned to his Heavenly Father five days after birth. I can't tell you how much I love his parents and big bro and that love reached to him too. I got to meet him once when things were looking good. I was so impressed with the fight he had for life. The next day I got to spend time as he quietly passed from this mortal life to that paradise where he will wait for the rest of his family.

I guess the words I am struggling to find are those of comfort for the new little family that this baby came to. As I was blog surfing today I found this. It is exactly what I want his sweet parents to know.

Princeton, you have been a blessing. One that has changed the lives of many. Thank you. I know that there is a plan and Princeton was so perfect he didn't need to be tested or tried in this life, but sometimes that doesn't make it any easier to have him go.

Treav, Angela, I love you guys. I hope you know that we all do. We are all rooting for you to push through this and to come out stronger, even your baby boy Princeton. You.can.do.it!!!

If you want to attend the funeral it's at 11am in Pleasant Grove this coming Monday. If you want more details let me know.

Just what I needed

I have a lot to blog about but I'm not going to just yet, I'm going to spend my day off with my handsome little man. I just wanted to post a little blurb. I found a blog through a friend and I tell you, it is just what I needed. It's called Cardigan Empire (and those who know me know that I love cardigans!). Surprisingly enough it's not about cardigans but about beauty. Anywho go check it out, and make sure you read the Beauty-Full Tuesday posts. As a young woman struggling with self image after baby, this blog has given me new perspective. I was already on my way to a better, more beautiful place but this blog definitely helped. Hope you enjoy it!

I'm gonna miss this.

I got this job just after marrying Zach and turning 20. Shortly after (like 6 weeks) I found out I was pregnant with C. About 2.5 years later I'm facing my last three hours of answering the phones for 8 of my favorite attorneys, not to mention to of the closest friends I've made, Mary Ann and Jeri. I remember calling when I saw the ad in the Daily Universe, the interview and the call that said I was in. I never knew I'd stay so long and love it so much. I know two years isn't all that long but for a college student who's life is rapidly changing, it is. Zach and I have moved three times since getting this job, I've been in the hospital for more than 5 days, Zach's held three different jobs and I've taken over 60 credit hours. They've pretty much seen me through thick and thin.

What was that you asked? Why on earth am I leaving?

I have an opportunity to work as a phlebotomist. The job offers all on the job training and after 3 months I'll have certification. Pretty much the experience will be so valuable to my future career as a nurse and I'm excited to start a new chapter in my life.

With that said, I'm taking in my last 3 hours here and enjoying every minute of it. I don't think it's ever been so hard for me to leave a work place but I'm struggling. I just hope I made a little contribution in the lives here at the office, they sure made a difference in mine.

I will admit, this feeling is strange for me. I usually welcome change, jump at it. I must be getting older and more sentimental. Love you Law Offices, rude phone callers, random sweets, impatient waiters and intimidating [not really] attorneys, I'll miss you.

Some people say...

that it's hard to watch your little ones grow up. It is, but I love it. I love watching each little milestone unravel.

We moved C to a big boy bed and he absolutely loves it. He's totally the coolest kid...ever.

I'm planning on making him a quilt with a tiny Mickey Mouse in the corner, because he loves mickey.

What a life I lead

Do you ever feel like complaining and then completely regret it later? I do...sometimes.

I came home to these beauties.

My boys went to a florist and hand picked all the flowers for my little arrangement.

I'm lucky and have nothing to complain about:)

happiness

It seems like one of the ultimate questions,

How can we be happy? or What makes us happy?

I am Happy.

Bold, I know but it's true. Not superficial at all.

I have everything I'll ever need.

Yesterday I spent the day with an extremely happy baby and hubby for that matter. We walked around, played and everything else under the sun.

Then I got the #1 thing on my list, a date! and wings (I promise the date was higher on the list than the wings).

The wings were good but a little quality quiet time with my Zach was incredible.

We picked up the little man (who hadn't had a nap all day) smiling and happy, and carried him sleeping up to bed.

It defined happiness, at least for this 22 year old.

I hear people complain about what their husbands do, or what they don't do, but mine is my world.

Some say that kids are the end of freedom, but mine is my universe.

I'm lucky.

Skidamarink

Excuse the title but I just didn't want to use "Update" again, seeing as that's all this really is going to be:)

So, It's been a while. No we haven't fallen off the face of the earth or anything, just busy. I decided to look for a job in a healthcare setting and landed one as a phlebotomist (go ahead and google it:). I'm really excited to start a new chapter in my career but so sad to leave the office. I have been at the office for a long time and can't imagine not showing up to answer phones everyday.

Zach is down to one job (can I get a hallelujah?!) and Canyon has especially loved spending a little more time with his daddy. I say especially because Zach is the new get-out-of-going-to-bed parent and the won't-let-mommy-make-me-eat-things-I-don't-want-to-eat parent (even though in the end Zach makes him do the same things I do, he just thinks daddy might not), he's also just the best dad ever. Canyon has so much fun with Zach you'd think they were related or something:)

Canyon is now hitting the terrible twos. He really likes to push boundaries. I don't mind so much but the incessant whining when he doesn't get what he wants can start to drain my energy. I never realized this before but not only are tantrums a part of the terrible twos but he's just not that easily distracted anymore. He knows what he wants and there's not much I can do to change his mind. I try to come up with other fun activities but it usually ends with me walking away and C following shortly after finishing his little tantrum. Honestly he is the happiest, funniest baby, this is just all new to me. I know it's not like him and I think a little cold is making it a lot worse than it is, so I'm not complaining. Just excited for him to get into the sentence stage so I can better understand and reason with him.

Speaking of reasoning with the little man, it's been fun to see how much he really understands. Every night before bed we all kneel down for prayers. For a few weeks he was so good at folding his arms, bowing his head and closing his eyes during the prayer and saying amen afterward. The last few nights C has decided if we don't say prayers then we won't go to bed so he's been boycotting bedtime prayers with a little tantrum. Last night he was in Zach's lap screaming as I knelt down and told him to fold his arms. He screamed again so I said, "Canyon, we are going to say prayers whether you want to or not. Screaming is not going to change it." He immediately calmed down, let me pray and said amen. I sure love him. I keep getting the feeling that how I react now is vital to his behavior later on. I just hope I'm doing it right.

Sorry for the long "Skidamarink". Hope you enjoyed at least a line or two:)

Oh did I mention C is sleeping in a big boy bed now? It's precious really:)

Zach called it...

We got Bruce when he was 8 weeks old back in 2009. A few weeks later we found out I was pregnant with C (this story is funny...I think). I wasn't sure I was ready to raise a puppy AND a little man. After Bruce's "man surgery" he had some issues with potty training and would poop all over the apartment. I tell you what...looking back it seems that's all I ever did...clean up poop. One day I was complaining to Zach about it and he asked me what I thought it was going to be like having kids.

I obviously told him that at least I wouldn't be cleaning their poop out of my carpet. He laughed at me.

This afternoon Zach dropped C off at my office on his way to work and I asked him how their morning had gone. And I quote, "Great, except for when I went to check on C playing in his room he had taken off his pants AND his diaper and pooped all over the carpet."

PAHAHAHAHAHA

The best part, it happened while Zach was with him. I'm pretty sure that it was supposed to happen while I was home.

Man I love my boys...even the Bruce kind.

I have this friend...

...her name is McKenzie and she's pretty awesome. The end.

oh and thanks for the run!

Our Summer Vacation

With Zach working 2 jobs and going to school full time this summer, we haven't had a whole lot of "vacation" time. Our good friends invited us to a family cabin about an hour away and we couldn't say no! It was the perfect weekend getaway and the Davies family was so awesome! We really enjoyed spending time away from cell phone reception and the internet.

We arrived at the cabin around 6pm on Friday, ate some yummy tin foil dinners and stayed up late playing games and eating [too much] sugar. Saturday we went boating out on the near by lake. I love to wake board but my arm strength must be failing me because I couldn't get up! (embarrassing I know) Zach got up long enough to ride some choppy water. Kenz and I enjoyed a little tubing. Even Adi tried the tube, although I don't know if she enjoyed it all that much.

And then there was Canyon, the lone sleeper on the boat. He liked a little shade and a soft towel.

A big thanks to the Davies family for letting us come. We love living near you guys and have such a good time with you! Thanks for an awesome [and affordable] summer vacation.

dare devil

Ok, so the tug boats at Lagoon probably don't qualify as dare devilish but for an 18 month...I think it sort of counts.

Canyon screamed like all the other kids his age (and some older) but unlike the other kids, Canyon was screaming when I was taking him OFF the rides. Needless to say, this little man is a lot like his mommy, loving the roller coasters!

We were able to spend the day at Lagoon with my family. It was so fun to have a lot of my extended family there too. As you can see, it was pretty exhausting!

The wedding!

My adorable cousin Ashlee got married about a week ago. It was exciting to be in the temple with Zach and remember the wonderful things that had happened on our own wedding day. Between the early temple ceremony, the luncheon, sewing baby quilts and the reception there wasn't much down time. I do want to say thanks to the people [mom] who made my wedding day stress free, I guess I didn't realize how much effort comes from people other than the bride/groom to make it all happen.

Ash and Jordan's reception was beautiful, my Aunt Heather did a fantastic job. I wish I could've enjoyed the atmosphere a little more but the little man who didn't get a nap was grouchy and wanted to play outside.

The kiddos waiting [patiently] outside the temple

Our little eternal family!

The happy couple! Congrats Ashlee and Jordan! Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day. We love you and wish you the best.

-the Hawkins

And we're off...

...on our first and last weekend away for the summer. We'll be back Sunday afternoon but as for now the lake is waiting for us!

A wee bit emotional

I love change, it's great really, but lately I'm having a hard time with it. Last week Rachel left on an LDS mission. In two weeks, Jess is moving to Texas and then heading out on her mission. I love these girls and I'm having a hard time letting two of my favorite people go. Boy howdy I need to toughen up!

Want more emotion?

I was driving through a neighborhood on my way to work this morning and this sweet old man was taking a stroll. He was wearing a WWII vet. cap and a Nauvoo t-shirt under his suspenders. He had the sweetest grin on his face as he wiped his brow with the only arm he had left. I couldn't hold it in. I am so grateful for the service that brave men gave and are still living with everyday. Have I ever sacrificed something so dear to me for someone else? Not like that.

So, If you are uncomfortable around tears you may want to steer clear of our house for a time...I can't help it! (Zach you are not included, you get to come home either way;)

A mini tribute

I am a lucky, lucky person. I say this for many reasons but mainly because of all the amazing people I have in my life. I want to do a little mini tribute to my sweet husband.

He is just...I can't even explain it. Patient. I am not always the best wife, mother or best friend but some how he's still patient and kind to me.

The man is working two jobs and going to school full time and has not had one vacation this summer. He is a trooper. I wish I had the money to send us off on a little vacation far away from Utah, but that'll have to wait.

This is going to be a picture-full post so enjoy!

This is the first picture Zach and I were ever in together. That night we went laser tagging and he was such a cutie. I loved how competitive he was!

Zach loves to play. Especially when his friends are around. Whether it's softball, soccer, basketball or golf, he'll play and play. I think some of my favorite times have been 6 months pregnant playing coed softball with my sweetie! We really need to get a new team together since almost all of the couples on our previous team moved away!

Zach is fantastic at planning. He makes sure that everything is timed right and it's place. The above picture is the two of us in Mazatlan, Mexico. He took me on a cruise for our 2nd anniversary and it was just so perfect!

the.best.dad...enough said

Yes people, we have a Ute fan on our hands! (and secretly I love it!)

I can't talk about Zach without mentioning his 2nd best pal (canyon being the 1st). Zach takes such good care of us all, especially Bruce. He makes sure Bruce is happy and healthy and well exercised!

Z, I love your guts!