What I'm thankful for....a timeless journey through the medium of picture.

Hey everyone, it's about time you all knew what I was thankful for instead of spending needless hours wondering. You could be spending those hours with your family or looking for your future family. I feel so guilty. So to end the mystery here is what I'm very thankful for this year (subject to change). Note, I already made a macaroni mosaic to show why I love my family.
1. Scented candles: How they tickle the nose and relieve the senses. I wondered if I should put this or not because I've also had my problems with these lovely candles. You see in my mind everything that smells good should taste good. More then once has Erin come home to see my teeth filled with waxy sweet scent. Will I ever learn?
2.That kind, gentle, mischievous face taught me it was OK to laugh again....Thank you Ricky, excuse me...Ricker!

3. The first step in healing some of the racial wounds that plague are county were taken by this odd duo. Mr T and Corbin Bernson. They laughed til I cried. In this particular picture, if I remember correctly, Corbin was about to show Mr. T his buttons.

4. Mmhh, delicious and colorful. Also, allegedly the first thing that I jammed way too far up my nose.
5. Would it be the holidays without eggnog? I think not! I can only hope that they finally come out with grape flavor.
6. This, my dear friends, is Bravestarr, yes with two rr's for extra arr. This not so gentle hero taught me all that I needed to know to be a man in today's world. Mostly, make friends with horses that can stand upright, talk and shoot guns. Always have a hat. Never leave any setting without first giving a moral lesson. People love it. Especially when I do it at the gas station after buying a pop. Subsequently, Maverick you know I will find where you put the PA announcing system!!!!
7. Need I say more? No, but I will. This gentle balm has healed everything from a broken heart to mouthful of leprosy. Also, soothes a baby to sleep while cleaning out their nasal cavity!
8. So dang cute! Just don't accidentally put one down your brother pants...
9. If you think about it, it just makes sense.
10. Whatever your imagination tells you. Or your spouse, mom, dad, grandpa, neighbor, politician, pedestrian, voices in your head tells you that you should be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!! We love you all!

Blizzard? What blizzard?

...Spencer and I did a 'google' search today and found out we had a blog... oh yeah...

Okay folks, for those of you who have not given up on our blogging, we are back. Has anyone else noticed how hard blogging is? I check our friends blogs regularly and I seriously have no clue how they keep them so cute and updated. My new goal is to try and update ours at least once a week.
Eli is six months old now and as cute as ever. I love seeing all his new little personality quirks. He is seriously the best thing to ever happen to me.


**Spencer would like me note that he is now 372 months old and growing more each day!! He is making great progress in learning to pronounce his ' R's ' and we couldn't be more proud of him! **

Spencer is currently in his VERY LAST class of his Master's program, only a thesis left and we are DONE! I can't wait. Then will it be my turn to get my MA? I hope so, I am kind of nerdy for missing school..

I am still working at the psych clinic and loving it. I have the best co-workers! This is one of the only jobs I have had where I can honestly say I never dread going to work. It IS hard to be working and be a mom though, thank goodness I am only part time.

More to come later...

P.S. Where DID that blizzard go??

Things Eli Likes....

Doing my stretches....

Laying around and relaxing....

Getting ready for a car ride...

Playing with my toys...

Sleeping, car rides are so cozy.......



Things that Eli does NOT like......When mom takes too many pictures....

Some random thoughts....

1. I believe Alex Trabec to be a lonely man. Lost in a world devoid of human affection and completely ruled by facts and the endless pursuit of clever category names.

2. Fireworks are still as awesome as ever.

3. Eggs will always be gross. Along with Mayo, Miracle Whip, mustard, relish, raisins in anything, meth, rhubarb, and yams.

4. My brother-in-law Mitchell left on his mission this Wednesday...I found myself a little jealous of the adventures I know he will have. Then I remembered that my family might need me at some point in the next two years.

5. My little boy Eli looked me in the eye yesterday and smiled at me. That changed my life.

6. I was thinking back on the men that were with me in the circle as I blessed Eli. It really struck me that I have been blessed more than any other to be surrounded by great male influences. I'm so grateful for you all. For those who couldn't make it...well the feeling is somewhat similar :)

7. Eli is good for one rollover a day right now. No matter what you do that is all he will give you. Then I found his Union card and it all made sense.

8. I want to encourage everyone I know to eat at Joe's Cafe on State St. in Orem across from the mall. It is an unreal experience. The owner is the best and his food is great. Here are some of lines that he said to me and my brother Josh. After complementing him on his food he yelled "Ain't no shame in my game!!" and came and gave us both a hug. Also, "I"ll make you a biscuit as big as yo face!" "Get yo face back in my place!" To my brother Jake who hadn't finished his 3 and half pound omelet - "suck it up! I didn't poor my love into your food so you could waste it!" To top it all off his secret ingredient is something called "slap yo mamma!" I kid you not we saw the label.

9. I can't wait for peach season.

10. Erin is so sweet. It's so cute to watch her with Eli. She really is a special mom.

"Baby? He's the baby!!!" says Spencer pointing at his baby! Spencer's not a BABY!

For the longest time I always wondered if I would have a baby beautiful enough to match my own incredible beauty....let's just say that I do great work!
How crazy is it that I'm a parent (Erin hopes not that crazy)? I couldn't be happier. Even though I was not prepared for the lack of sleep and crying and pooping and lack of sleep and being peed on. It's an entire new tier of love that enters your life. You can't even explain it. Let me explain and outline some of the greater/interesting/Erin is super tough things that have happened in the last two weeks.
1. Erin had to get pricked six times before they got an IV in her. She also had to get two epidurals because the first one would only numb one side of her body! They also forgot to hook the second epidural up and didn't catch that for over 2 hours. That being said the nurses, especially our first one, were just incredible. Couldn't be more complimentary towards them.
2. Erin's labor took around 14 hours! it was crazy. She would not dialate past of 4 for ever! than the nurse came after around 11 hours and said you are now a five! than an hour later she was at a nine and the nurse had her start pushing. That's when the nurse went to get the doctor and found out that he had been called to do an emergency C section at Timp hospital. So Erin had to stop pushing and start holding him in. It might have been the worst hour and half of Erin's life. It only compares to the time that I made her listen to a rap CD that I had made when I was 23.
3. My boy, due to unspeakable courage and unusual dexterity for his age, pushed the doctor aside and actually circumcised himself! All he asked for was a quick shot of breast milk!
4. The first time I changed my boy's diaper he kept pooping. I would clean him and he would poop, I would clean him and he would poop, I would clean him and he would poop. It happened three times in under 10 minutes. I've now learned to wait. Also, I learned that his first poops looked an awful lot like a darker Frosty, I don't eat Frosties anymore.
5. The man of the house is now almost 2 feet long and under 9 pounds, but I do everything he wants, whenever he wants. Sorry Kris Gillespie, you are no longer the boss of me!!!!
6. He's so stinking cute!
7. Erin is the best mom. Bar none
8. I'm not afraid to call my mommy and ask for help. Cause heaven knows I've needed it!
9. Whereas my boy can't speak yet he is proficient in Morse Code.
10. I can't wait for his umbilical chord to fall off. It's nasty. It looks nasty, makes me kind of sick. But at the same time I don't want it to fall off. Cause at least now I know where it is. What if it falls off and I'm not paying attention? What if it falls off on my side of the bed? In my shoes. In my mouth!!! Haunting......
I love him so much. It's weird really being a "Family" now. Complete with kid.
I wonder what Eli will do for family night on Monday, he's been assigned opening prayer and treat.
Also, Erin is not really aware that I've written some of this but I figure, as many a man has, that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission: Acts 3:23 at least I think that's the scripture.
ps. Brajeeboory, I totally spaced on calling you back! I'm so sorry. My phone dies after 10 minutes of talk but I'll call you ASAP.