Valentine's Day and more

Sooo much has been keeping us busy the last two weeks! They started with a fun, lazy, watch T.V. morning.





Then, it turned into an exceptionally warm day so we went to the park and Myles enjoyed some time laughing with Dad and his long lost friend, the swing.





The weekend before Valentine's Day my sister, Liz, and her fiance, Isaac, came down to babysit so we could go on an actual Valentines' Day date. We decided to be SUPER spontaneous (haha) and went to see a movie: The Vow. It's based on a true story which makes it even better, but it was the perfect Valentine's Date movie because it makes you appreciate your significant other and cherish all your memories even more.





We had some time to kill while we were at the mall so we walked around "window shopping", but we found the COOLEST thing for Myles and it was only five bucks!!! So, when we got home we gave him his Valentine's present from mom and dad.





Don't worry, it's not just a mini Buzz Lightyear bag we got for $5, it's also the backpack on him. He loves it and puts all of his Toy Story toys in it. We felt bad leaving M'Ree out, but we found a sweet deal on diapers recently and spent quite a bit more than five dollars stocking up, but he appreciates them even if he doesn't realize it I'm sure.


On Valentine's Day I took Myles and M'Ree to a Valentine's Day party one of the mom's on the block threw. Myles got to decorate cookies which he was very excited about as you can see. And if you can't tell, his shirt says my mommy is my valentine :D. I was so excited this shirt fit him two years in a row!





He tried to eat them before we even got the frosting out, but I had him wait long enough to decorate them so I could get pictures of the finished products.





Finally getting to eat them!





M'Ree and our neighbors son Andrew had fun hanging out too. M'Ree is on the right.





The friday after Valentine's Day, we went to Sally (Frank's sister) and Jeff's (her hubby) house to hang out because Frank's sister, Katrina, and her family had driven in from Oklahoma for their Grandma's 90th birthday. His other sister, Rachel, two of her 4 kids, Ashlyn and Devan, and one of his brothers, Leonard, and his family also came down. It was awesome to have 4 of his 8 siblings together and it went by way to quickly. The next day we all went to Grandma Mary's birthday party and had a blast with Frank's family. Sally took lots of pictures on Friday and Saturday, so sorry I don't have any, but I did get one good one of Myles that I just couldn't pass up.





After Frank's grandma's birthday party we headed to Bear Lake for my grandma's birthday party, crazy, I know. We spent the weekend with them and even got to see my aunt Rebecca and her family which was great for Myles since they have a 3 yr old daughter who he got to play with. He also found a "toy" he was particularly fond of at great grandma and grandpa's house and I was lucky enough to get a video of him so you can all get a laugh out of it too.





On Monday night we went to Crystal Hot Springs and met up with some more of my aunts and uncles to celebrate my grandma's birthday. It was so nice to see everyone who came and so relaxing to sit in the nice, warm, springs. Myles has been asking to swim everyday since we went and I don't blame him; I've been wanting to go back too! Luckily one of my aunts had an extra pair of arm floaties and once he got the hang of moving his arms and kicking we had a hard time keeping track of him!








Our weeks are busy even without all our fun activities. Frank has been job hunting and attending his one class of the semester. He has had a few interviews, but when they find out we will only be here a few more months I guess it makes sense he hasn't been hired on anywhere yet. However, it has been such a help to have him home so much to watch the boys while I have been busy going to physical therapy for my shoulder three times a week, massage therapy for my shoulder 2 times a week and going to the chiropractor for the left side of my body 2 times a week. The hope is that all of these steps will help my shoulder heal on its own if it can. It has sure been taxing on my body energy-wise with all my shoulder goes through each week plus nursing, but it will be so worth it if I can avoid surgery altogether since I'm sure recovery from that will be much worse than what I'm experiencing now. I'm also feeling extra beaten down since I got an awful flu of some kind that hit me while we were at my grandparents house. At first I thought it was just allergies, but on the way home I started getting the chills along with my headache and sinus pressure, but I'm pretty sure my fever has broken now and I'm feeling a ton better today. Hopefully no one else gets it. We have also officially decided where Frank will attend law school:






Creighton in Omaha, Nebraska! We are so excited for a change, but sad to leave our family and friends here in the West. Frank was offered a 1/2 tuition scholarship and may get more funding after he applies for other scholarships given through those who sponsor Creighton since it is a private school. The boys have both been doing great just growing, thriving and loving life. M'Ree is probably loving life less since he is finally reacting well to tummy time. Up until this week he was more angry if he was on his back than if he was on his tummy. We've also noticed his hair is getting lighter all the time so we may have a little blondie unless his hair keeps falling out, then we'll have a baldie. He also gets comments all the time about how long his fingers and his overall length are. And Myles is as happy and energetic as ever! It's harder to notice the changes taking place in him, but his sentences are better formed and more understandable all the time. Here are a few pictures of them.


All smiles. One of M'Ree's first!





I thought this was so great! haha

Great week , bad day

We have had a great week, but it's been the last 18 hours that made this week seem hard. It was a good week because Frank had an interview at a law firm who is looking for a writer/editor and he would be perfect since he's awesome anyway, but he is also a writer/editor already for the pre-law review. We will see what happens and in the mean time we are loving every minute we have of him while he doesn't have school or work. Myles loves hanging out with his dad and wants to be just like him so now that dad has glasses Myles wants some too!



We've had a few warmer days this week so I've been up for taking the boys outside and taking Myles to a play date so we got to get out the double stroller I found for a sweet deal on KSL a few months back. I was picky about the one I chose this time around because I don't trust the traditional ones anymore since my old one broke and folded in on itself while Myles was in it during our walk one day. So, this one is different, as you can see, and it can't fold in on itself so it was the stroller for me!


We went to a BYU Men's Volleyball game last night which would have been a blast had they won :). I am a bit of a volleyball fanatic anyway, but when you add my favorite team (minus the Misty May and Kerri Walsh beach volleyball duo, of course.) who is....ok WAS ranked #1 in the nation Frank will tell you I get a little scary and I will tell you I get a little passionate. It was fun and stress free since M'Ree was only awake long enough to eat so I'm guessing he enjoyed it since he was able to sleep the rest of the time and Myles LOVES to go to sporting events so he just makes the experience even better as he screams and yells and dances to all the music they play and everyone around us tells us how awesome and cute our son is :D. It just occurred to me that Myles probably loves sporting events so much because he CAN yell and scream AND everyone thinks it's sooo cute! No wonder he's so confused when he gets reprimanded for such behavior during sacrament meeting! I got a video of him dancing last night, enjoy!



Our good week ended after we got home and got to bed (Frank and I were up until about two because we were watching a movie that was on T.V. and I needed to feed M'Ree) because Myles woke up crying at 3 and when we checked on him he was covered in throw up along with all of his bedding so from there it got interesting. We got him cleaned up and bathed, but he lost it again about 10 minutes after that so we got both of us cleaned up then he just laid down on the living room floor and refused to go anywhere else so we spent the night in the living room with him.



He was getting sick about every hour all morning, stopped around noon, finally ate some applesauce for us when he woke up at 2 and since then, seems to be feeling a lot better so, we were starting to think maybe he got food poisoning from some chicken nuggets he'd eaten for lunch yesterday, but then he got a fever of 102 that didn't come on until after he'd been done throwing up for a few hours so now we have no idea if it's connected or not, but I really hope it's food poisoning and not the stomach flu. I can't imagine a newborn having the stomach flu. Thankfully, Myles slept almost as much as M'Ree today so Frank and I were able to catch up some from being up all all night. Speaking of M'Ree, he's doing great! He loves milk and sleep, typical newborn :), but I have gotten a few pictures of him awake, like this one.

Getting to know Jessica

I find myself on Blogger every few weeks to see what is happening in the lives of my family and friends I follow and every time I'm on here I think I need to update my own blog! I have pictures of adventures I intend to put up and share with everyone, but life happens I guess and in this moment I find myself needing to write about something so random, but I am just going to go with it. In all honesty, if I find an hour to myself I'd much rather spend it reading a good book, but the release I find in writing is such that I am surprised I don't write more. For how "outgoing" I am ...or am labeled to be, my closest friends are my husband and my journal so you wouldn't think our blog would be too far behind, but I'm really a private person most of the time. All the same I am up for sharing and passing on what I have learned so, to start, here are some other things about me.

I love sports and I am competitive.

I don't take crap from anyone. I can be mean, harsh, heartless and brutal, but rarely without having been pushed to the limit and without reasonable cause. I'm loud, outspoken and opinionated, but I haven't always been. You learn those qualities when you've had enough from someone or something and you suddenly realize you won't ever get pushed around again so now that attitude is part of you and you couldn't be more proud of it. Not surprisingly, I am usually the disciplinarian in our house.

I am also a softy especially when it comes to my boys.

I am usually happy and upbeat rain or shine because I don't like attention, but I will ask for help when I need it.

I am not really a people-person meaning, most people get on my nerves and I get on most peoples nerves. Some days I'm not OK with not having a best-friend-girl-friend, but most days I am because my personal drama is more than enough for me.

I am a homebody and will often opt to stay home to get a break or have fun by cooking with Frank, watching a movie, playing games or hanging out with my boys.

I am very much a self helper meaning I love books that will give guidance and direction from the small how-to things to the bigger things like getting babies on schedules, disciplining my toddler and bettering myself.

I love lists. I use them for everything! Lists of what I need to do today, a list of things to do sometime this week, a list of hopeful projects both home improvement and crafting or scrap-booking, lists of ideas for dinner, lists of what is in the freezer and what is in the fridge with dates of when each thing will go bad. I could on and on naming the things I list. I like lists for a few reasons. First, I'll forget. Second, it makes my life easier and more organized. Third, it leaves less stress and clutter in my brain.

As if the previous fact doesn't make it obvious, I am a perfectionist. I'm not the type who can't stand my house to be reasonably messy, but the type who can't have things done any less than 100%. When I start something I don't usually stop until I finish it and I like things done my way and I'd rather do it myself so I can make sure it's done right and if I can't do it myself I'll double check to make sure it's up to par when the other person gets done.

Since I like things done my way, I'll own up to being somewhat of a control freak and I often turn to my self improvement books to learn how to let go of the things I can't control and not care so much about trying to control everything else. I am a person who cares too much in almost every respect and it would do me some good to care less. As a part of that, I am also a worrier and a stressor so much so that I will become physically ill and go through depressive episodes if something consumes me enough. I've kept a list (haha) of what causes my episodes and rest assured they are important and typical things: Family, finances, and my personal performance in life as a wife and mother.

The last year or so has been a journey to find myself and know myself. I don't think I could have written about myself in this way because I didn't know who I was outside of knowing I was outspoken, opinionated, an optimistic-pessimist, perfectionist, fun, happy, harsh, stubborn, witty, a mother and wife. I used to see that list and only see four good things: Wife, mother, fun and happy. I thought the rest were bad qualities. I don't know that I can tell you why I thought the rest was so bad other than in my mind I had made them so. Now, I don't see myself as a list of adjectives and nouns but as a person with a story and a personality that explains each adjective and noun and how they all make up the puzzle of me. I've found I am much more at peace with myself and can stay balanced much better than I used to, but I also know it took having an open mind and a willingness to work hard to get where I am today. I love passing on what I learn especially if it will help someone else so, this is what I have done and do to keep the harmony I have so long been seeking.

1. I went to a therapist and loved it. You don't have to have a "real" reason to go to one! I really loved going and I go back every so often when I don't know how to work through something that is hindering me as a person or causing me to have depressive episodes. They have tools to help you break down barriers and allow you to move forward.

2. The book "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by David D. Burns, is epic and has almost every answer you are looking for with anxiety and depression and so much more whether a constant burden or an occasional occurrence....which is everyone...just fyi :).

3. Take time for just you and do something you enjoy everyday.

4. Take time out to connect with your Heavenly Father.

5. Keep a journal where you let loose all your thoughts and feelings. It's the most relaxing activity and you will get to know and understand yourself better.

6. Make the list of nouns and adjectives that describe you, then find the story of how and why each one is part of who you are. You wrote it down for a reason, it is a part of you for a reason and you either like it or dislike that thing about yourself for a reason. Finding the answers and then accepting them brings a very satisfying clarity and peace.

Grandpas

Myles is very personable and friendly with everyone and he loves his family, but he has a special connection with each of his grandpas. We are so grateful to be only a 7hr drive at the longest, from all of our parents....for now. Frank's parents leave Monday to serve a 23 month mission in Germany so it has been so nice to see them so much over the last few months as they have been preparing to leave and making many trips to Utah as a result. My dad is an hour drive away and my other dad is in Nevada, 7hrs away. I have a grandpa in Nevada and one in Utah and Myles just adores them too. We see my Utah dad often, and I wish we could make the trip to Nevada more often to see my Nevada dad, but no matter how long it's been since he has seen any of his grandpas, he adores them just the same and he recognizes their pictures in our house, so they are all, always with him.




"Driving" grandpa Wilkerson's truck



Grandpa Astle and Myles



Great grandpa Astle and Myles



Grandpa Earley and Myles



With Great Grandpa Mills just after he was born (I have a more resent one, but it won't upload)

More Fun Adventures

It has been such a joy watching Myles personality come out more and more each day since his birth. He turned 18 months last month and with it has come even more of his character and fun everyday! Below are just a few of the many, many cute, crazy, interesting things Myles does ALL THE TIME!! It is so hard to document them all, but the most notable are listed here on our blog as long as I can catch the action!



I knew the day would come when I would be able to photograph Myles with his sweet face squished up against a glass window, blowing bubbles, but I didn't expect it at a year and a half!

Here he is cheesing at the camera for me



He started to climb inside the door of our entertainment center and I asked him what he was doing.



The next few pictures answered my question for me









He's smiling here because we were playing rock band and....



.....he thought it was funny we were coming after him with the drum stick



Trying to bite the stick through the glass



Myles in Grandpa Earley's shoes. He tried to walk around but he couldn't even lift the shoes off the ground!



His guilty face



He likes to put his legs under the carpet like it's a blanket




Frank was laying on the ground and Myles walked over and stood right over his head like he was going to sit on him or something.....



.....I don't always like being right! :D At least he wasn't poopy!



Myles had thrown some balls behind the couch and went after them. This was the result. He was crying at us to get him out until he saw the camera, then he did his cheesy grin. What can I say? I have trained him well! Oh, and then he went right back to crying!



I went to check on Myles before going to bed like I always do, but this time my sleeping toddler just didn't look quite right.....He had pulled his pajama shirt over his head and then got stuck!



Myles rarely falls asleep without seclusion and confinement to his bed, but he stayed up late and got up early this day so after lunch we were cuddled up on the couch and he just zonked! Too cute and very refreshing to have a sleeping babe in my arms!




Everyday is such an adventure with this sweet boy of mine! It is like he has been here forever and I have a hard time imagining how I survived without Frank and Myles to look forward to everyday!

The Chocolate Milk Mess!!!!!!

The other day my Dad gave us some Gossner's chocolate milk in the individual boxes. He gave us three, one for each of us. So, after lunch Myles and I had ours and then when Myles finished his he begged for Frank's. I'll admit, I was tempted to split it with him, I mean, it is GOSSNER'S chocolate milk!!!! BUT, I was a good wife to Frank, told him and me no and moved it from the table to the counter where he couldn't get to it. Later that day I was making dinner with Myles help. I was standing at the stove with Myles standing on a chair next to me. While focusing on the recipe I didn't even think about the fact that now, standing on the chair, Myles was within reach of that little box of chocolate milk. Normally, Myles LOVES to help me cook because I let him dump in the ingredients, but this time he climbed up to see what I was doing, got back down off the chair and started playing on the floor behind me. It didn't even occur to me that he must not be interested because he now had something wayyy more interesting than a plastic measuring cup!!! A few minutes later I turned around to grab something and this is what I saw.




He had gotten the straw off the carton and out of the plastic but couldn't get the straw in the little hole, but he had made enough progress to get something out of the carton so he turned the carton upside down making the puddle you see. Then he tried to drink it off the floor!!!! Luckily, I had swept and mopped earlier that day!



What mom?



I will admit it was my fault he got to the chocolate milk, but he still cleaned up most of it....with my help of course :)

Never a dull day!

I love my life! I have the most amazing husband who works so hard in school and then comes home and helps me with anything and everything I need while still taking the time to be the best Dad ever! And Myles is such an amazing little boy! Somehow we are always laughing or smiling because of him. We are so blessed and have amazing friends and family to boot! Speaking of great friends, we recently had our good friends Garret and Tiffany Church come stay with us. They have a little boy, Gabe, just a few months younger than Myles and they were hilarious together! We had a great time and were so glad they came to visit!


Already buds



Glued to the TV



Trying to get the ball from Garrett



Myles giving Gave a kiss



The kiss turned into a sneeze! Poor Gabe!





I am relatively anti-video games, but both my boys are addicted! I am glad they enjoy it and play together though.


Frank playing the play station and Myles acting like he is



My boys doing their cheesy smiles



Myles trying to walk with Franks shoes on





Making squishy faces with the tennis racket