Baby Jude & The Reno

So we have been super busy lately, mostly due to the fact that I am pregnant with Jude, our baby boy Due date is January 23, 2014. We have been swamped with chores around the house, nothing big really, just a little RENOVATION of 1/2 of the garage. We converted it into Addi's new "princess room" as she calls it, and just as of lately, finished the entire project!

Oh, and in the process of the reno, we went on a huge 10 day trip to DISNEY WORLD!! Words cannot describe how amazing it was, and how much fun we had in those 10 days, but we will definitely be back! We talk about it all the time, and wish we were there most of the time;)

The next few months will go by quickly as we get ready for Jude's arrival. We've repainted Addi's old room to boy colors, painted his changing table/dresser, reupholstered his gliding chair and ottoman & stained, and found the perfect theme! What is better than a nautical theme for the beautiful PNW! We think it will be pretty spectacular, and just know that Jude will LOVE it!

Baby Lovin...

We are happy to announce that Baby Shelton is coming to town January 2014! I cannot tell you how long we have been waiting for this, and how EXCITED Addi is to have a brother or a sister.  She told me that if it's a Girl, we are naming her Belle... And If it's a boy, well The Beast, duh!

We have decided to convert 1/2 of our unusable garage into a 3rd bedroom, so Addi can move in there and the baby can have her old room.  My dad is the go-to man when it comes to construction, so that should start next weekend! I'll definitely be updating the blog as we go. Should be loads of fun!

I on the other hand, even though I LOVE to play with wood and construction, have been hard at work designing BOTH of the rooms.  Addi wants a big girl room, more sophisticated and her age... And then I get to design a whole new nursery! I can't tell you how excited I am to start planning! I just wish I could find out the sex sooner so I can get the colors in order!

Here's mine and Addi's choices for her room:
Her bedding choice...
reading nook

Stained wood

AND... Ideas for the baby's room!
Jenny Lind crib painted
boys room
girls room
book section
upholstered glider

I can't wait to start seeing the transformation! Stay tuned to updates throughout the months!!

Another year has passed...

I can't believe that the last time I actually posted a tidbit from my life on the blog was a year ago.. A YEAR! I can't even begin to tell you the many things that have happened in that time frame. Nothing has really changed work wise for Kevin and I. We are at the same places, trying to better ourselves in the process. I have decided to go back to school for Graphic Design, so that process of starting up again has been a little difficult considering I work full time, and am a full time mom... But it will definitely be worth it.

Addi has grown so much, and has turned into a beautiful young lady! She is so incredibly generous and loving, and it completely melts my heart. She cares so much about the ones she loves, and really people in general, and is constantly trying to give to show how much she cares. She is in love with her Montessori school, her friends, and playing outside as much as possible.  I can definitely see her going far in the future, she is so extremely smart and such a big book worm... Anything is possible! but... for now, she would like to be a Princess when she grows up, and that's alright with me:)

I have been working on my photography skills more and more. I got the opportunity to show my skills at a  place contracted with the local hospital to take pictures of the newborns, and let me tell you how amazing that was! I have never been so moved in a photography gig in my entire life! Now even though the job didn't work out, I gained a lot from that experience that will pull me in the right direction in my future.

I hope to keep taking my pictures, and sharing more of those with you as time goes on as well as my experience on going back to school. Until next time...

3rd Birthday!

My baby Turned 3 on March 19th! She was incredibly excited to have a HUGE birthday party and invite all the people she loves! She had the most amazing day!

Went to Imagination Station
Played with friends from school
Played with family
Happily listened to us sing her Happy Birthday
Blew out THREE candles and didn't even eat the cupcake
Quickly ran to the presents and started RIPPING them open with a HUGE grin!

Thank you everyone who came to her party and showed her love. It was fantastic!

Giveaway from At the Picket Fence

“My entry to At The Picket Fence's  Inspiration Friday sponsored by Appliances Online and the Beko Fridge Freezers”. 

I just adore this blog, and it inspires me to do so many amazing crafts! Check it out, and be entered to win a $75 gift certificate to Amazon! You can't go wrong, can you!

Beliefs

Growing up in Utah was a little challenging at times, mainly because of the Mormon Religion. See, I'm not the religious type, and it seemed that when I was younger, I had a hard time finding friends that were not religious that didn't judge. People would judge myself, family and friends because we lacked their religious beliefs, and not for who we are, what we stood for or our values. I did find some absolutely amazing friends that I will keep my entire life, whom loved me for who I am, and I love them just as much. I wanted to share a little quote with you, because I have always been drawn to it, and it is something I value deeply.

"I never told my own religion nor scrutinized that of another. I never attempted to make a convert, nor wished to change another's creed. I am satisfied that yours must be an excellent religion to have produced a life of such exemplary virtue and correctness. For it is in our lives, and not from our words, that our religion must be judged."   --Thomas Jefferson

Baby Baby Baby

I'm always looking for a new craft to fill my desire in life... Knowing that we are trying for a baby right now, and how I LOVE the whole nesting period in a pregnancy, gets me thinking about nothing more than Babies!

I know, you may be thinking... "I thought you told the entire social network that you were preggo." Well I have to admit that It has not been easy to admit this.. I have been devastated, and It's not exactly an easy subject... But... We lost the baby. I would never wish that on anyone, it was extremely hard to accept. But it is true. I am very thankful for such an amazing husband and family, and can't wait to hear good news that I am pregnant once more. I have come to accept that it was just not the right time, and my time too will come. 

I haven't dared tell Addi yet, I don't want to confuse her or make her sad. She is so extremely excited to be a big sister, and we even started buying baby things. It would break my heart to tell her the bad news. For that reason, I hope that I do get pregnant soon so she can just think it's a super long pregnancy. (toddlers think a year is really 10, so whats a few more months, right?)

Baby isn't so Baby anymore....

I can't believe my baby is turning 3 in a couple weeks. Makes me start thinking about what really happened with the time we've had together, we sure have has a whole lot of fun! Addi is so incredibly amazing! She is so dang smart, funny and extremely talkative. She is so shy when she meets a person, maybe for 5 minutes, and then watch out! She will talk your ear off! She knows full sentences and has incredible grammar than most kids her age, which amazes me. She is so witty. She just knows the right words to tell you, and if she's in trouble, she will sweet talk you out of any punishment. We just got her into swimming lessons because of her FEAR for water, and has done wonderful! She is getting to a solid point that is almost dunking her head, which is a huge accomplishment for her! We are incredibly proud of how far she has come! She simply melts her Momma's heart, plain and simple. Addi is the apple of our eye, and couldn't imagine life any other way!

I made this card for  her birthday party, which is extremely fitting because she LOVES to have tea parties and serve pretend cupcakes.

 

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

my abandoned blog....

That's right, I'm a total SLACKER! I've had a couple people remind me to post to the blog for some time, and still not enough motivation. I love looking at others blogs, seriously. I could research the crap out of a craft, feel like I'm in the middle of some random person's family outing, or get some amazing recipes on hand... But when it comes time to write about myself and my own family, I become frozen.

Obviously a lot has happened within the past almost year. Holy crap! It's been a year? wow...

Addi has gotten much bigger, and is incredibly bright for her age. She has been going to an incredible Montessori school for almost a year now, and is definitely soaking up all of the goodness to what they have to offer. I am incredibly happy we chose that school for her, probably the best investment we've made thus far!

 Halloween she decided to be a Tea Party Princess because she LOVES having Tea Parties! Costume was adorable and she LOVED going to each house! We went out that night with her Cousin Q and had a complete blast!!

Christmas was a magical time this year. Addi actually got really excited for Santa to come this year, and was starting to comprehend why he came. She still talks about baby Jesus all the time, and has even started to call our friend's newborn Baby Jesus (His name is Jeremy, but we don't correct her, it's pretty funny)  Addi has been incredibly scared of Santa for the past few years, and even though she was as well this year, she pushed through her fear. I told her about a month before Christmas that she wouldn't get presents until she sat on his lap and told him what she wanted. I think that helped a bit, because she was determined to get presents like the other kids. Once we got to the mall to see Santa a few weeks before Christmas, she told me how brave she was, and walked right up to him. She didn't say a word, and had a completely straight face the entire time, but she did it! We are so proud of our baby for working through her fear! Afterward, she said she isn't scared of him anymore! (Sorry, I don't have any pics to upload right now)

We took Addi to her first concert a couple of months ago, YO GABBA GABBA!! She was so excited until we got to our seats. I think she was so nervous for seeing them in real life, that she was quite overwhelmed. The entire concert she was completely still, and if I started dancing or singing, she freaked out. Once we left the theater, she started dancing and singing... Maybe when she is a bit older we will have a bit more success.

Addi has the most funny outgoing personality I've ever seen in a kiddo, she makes me laugh constantly. But she also has the other amazing side that is so incredibly caring and sincere. If anyone were to get hurt, or she were to accidentally make you feel bad, she will apologize constantly and make sure you get back to being happy.

Lately we have been talking about becoming a big sister, not saying that one in on the way yet, but talking. Addi is incredibly excited to become a big sister, and would want a brother or a sister, she doesn't care, she just wants one. She would be the most amazing big sister, and hopefully we will be blessed with another baby on the way in the months to come! 

Hopefully I will keep up on my blog more often, the least I can do is try!
Much love!

The BIG { 2 }

I have had a bunch of people tell me to do a new post, and yes, I will admit I am not the best at keeping up. Who am I kidding? I really dislike talking about myself, so I'm usually the one to put this on the back burner. BUT... those of you who requested, here you go.

We have been one super busy family! Kevin was sent to Japan to work in January for TWO months. To tell you the truth, he really didn't want to go in the first place... but being an amazing husband that he is, he went because I have always wanted to go! So, I was able to fly out there for a week in January, and had the time of my life!! It was such a huge culture shock, and I LOVED having sushi and all of the different food around! Funny thing, but he is WAY better at chopsticks than I am now.  What will I show him up on now?

The Big Buddha

At the Canon Temple - I wasn't supposed to take any pictures of this (it was forbidden) does that mean I'm going to hell now? haha

Fortunately for us, Kevin was sent home so that he wouldn't miss Addison's birthday. We were so lucky to have him come home when he did, because a week after he got home, Japan had the tragedy with the Tsunami and all. I don't know how we got to lucky, but I am incredibly thankful he is still with us!

Addi turned the big { 2 } on March 19! I can't believe she is already two years old! I can recall going into the hospital March 18, 2009, and having them admit me because I had preeclampsia. Even though it was a scary ordeal, I was so blessed to have my healthy little girl come into the world on the 19th! We don't know what we would do without our little bundle of joy! She has really made our life full, and I cherish every day I get to spend with her!  Addi has quite the personality! She { LOVES } to socialize and brings such amazing aura when she enters a room. I'm not saying she is the happiest little girl ALL of the time, in fact but when she is happy... I think I can hear birds sing, haha. There was a saying my grandma used to say about me...

" When she's good, she's REALLY REALLY good!

And when she's BAD, she's HORRID! "

Addi 2 Years Old

She was a natural! I didn't even have to teach her to blow out the candles, she just did it on her own!

18 Months & Counting

I haven't posted since July, and so much has happened since then! Addi has gotten MUCH bigger, and so extremely smart! What can I say, she takes after her Mom :)  Addi is one of the happiest children I have ever seen, and I enjoy every moment I get to spend with her! We have so much fun together!  This summer we have been camping a few times, and have really enjoyed the outdoors! We also recently took a trip to Utah for my Grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary, and Grandpa's 80th Birthday! It was so much fun to see my entire family! I can't even remember the last time we were all in the same room!

Through All Of The Chaos

We have been a super busy family lately.. It's hard enough with a 16 month old daughter, then tack on Work, Holidays, and family fun to the mix....

Addi really enjoyed the 4th of July this year, considering she was sleeping soundly in her crib last 4th. We insisted on keeping her up until the fireworks were over, and thought it would be a total disaster. We thought wrong! She seemed to have a blast watching the fireworks, and was totally fine until some jerk lit them right next to us... Then it was melt down city. (lucky for us it was the end of the show)... So I'm happy to say the first 4th of July was a success!

My Brother-in-law is getting married in a couple days, and I had the chance to go to a bachelorette party! It was so much fun, and I am so blessed to have such an amazing soon to be sister-in-law! Here's just a taste of the beginning of the party, it was such a blast!