Busy, Busy, Busy.

So I know I have not been around lately...in every sense of the word and really you will just have to forgive me.  I have been busy.

So much to update and really I don't feel like doing it all so I'm going to give the short version.... We moved.  Really that is what has taken up so much of my time. You see, it hasn't just been about moving because with the move I started my new job...which never ends... literally I am at work all day.  I guess to be fair I'm not working the whole time.  I work in between taking care of Liam, making dinner, doing dishes, taking care of laundry, picking up the house, and the biggest job of all, taking care of Liam.  There literally are not enough hours in the day for me to get done everything I need to do.  So in an effort to be more efficient, I've begun getting up at 3 a.m. in order to fit homework in.  Yes, for the time being I'm super woman, mom extraordinaire, amazing wife and star employee.     It's so over rated.  But the semester will end in a few weeks and with BA in hand I will have one less thing to focus on, and that will make all the difference.

Really though, I am so blessed.  In an effort to keep that in the forefront of my mind, and blog more, I am stealing my beautiful sister's idea of Thankful Thursday posts.

The pioneering Thankful Thursday post is about my family.  I am so thankful for a husband who takes Liam the second he walks through the door each day so I can get 10 minutes to myself.  For my Mom who unexpectedly showed up at my house Monday morning to watch Liam so I could get a few quiet hours to study.  For my Dad who spent his Saturday helping us move.  For my siblings who set the bar for me in their Christlike behavior and sensitivity to those around them.  Finally, for Chelsey, for her positive posts that make my day every time I read them.

Now I'd like to play myself out with some David and Freddie... Under Pressure...in picture.

So Very Blessed

I quit my job a few weeks ago, (as planned) to stay at home with Liam, but I wouldn't have been able to just not work if we were to make ends meet. The problem was that since Freddie lost his job in January and was essentially unemployed for six months the savings we had built up so I could stay home was drained. While my working through the summer helped to start to build it again it wasn't nearly enough. So I have been looking for a job at night for the last few weeks hoping to find something that would allow me to be at home with Liam during his awake hours (though it would have left me with little sleeping hours). At the same time we have been looking for a new, more affordable, centrally located apartment.

A few weeks ago I fell in love with a little cottage in Orem that is located smack between Fred's work and school. He could walk 5 minutes either way to get to class or the studio. It was a small, one bedroom, but so cute with plenty potential. I figured with a few IKEA bookshelves as room dividers we could make it work with Liam. We loved the land lady who was willing to go above and beyond to make the place work for us, and the price wasn't half bad. We were all set to take it, she drew up the contract, but for some reason I just felt like it wasn't right. I couldn't figure out why since everything seemed so perfect. But I couldn't ignore the promptings of the spirit. So we backed out before signing the contract and gave her our most sincere regrets.

Fast forward a few weeks to last Saturday night; Sue (the land lady) called me and said she had been thinking about us and wanted to make us an offer. So we met up with her yesterday and she asked if I would be interested in running her picture framing business and in exchange we would live in the apartment in the house where the business is located (which is directly in front of the little cottage we initially wanted to move into). I couldn't believe it. Of course we said yes.

This is an answer to prayer. We found a place to live and I found a job all at the same time. Not just any job, one that will literally be run out of my home. I won't have to leave Liam at all to work. He will be with me all day. How much better could it get? I'm a stay at home mommy with a job to help provide for my family.

This year has been one of the hardest Fred and I have ever faced together. Freddie lost his job, we had a baby (wonderful but hard), our car died and we had to buy a new one, I quit my job (which I loved, but I needed to be home with Liam) and various other things one after another. But in all the difficult things we have faced I have never once felt alone. Heavenly Father has comforted us and blessed us in ways I can't even begin to describe. So many wonderful things have also happened this year and while it has been the hardest for me the miracles I have personally experienced have far out weighed any of the negatives. I am so thankful for a mindful Heavenly Father. Freddie and I have grown so much from these experiences and I have truly seen what God can do and what he so badly wants to do for all his children.

God lives and he loves us. There is no doubt in my mind about that. He only wants what is best for his children and is simply waiting for us to acknowledge him and love him back.

Stay At Home Mommyhood

So, I have finally achieved stay at home mommy status. I quit my job and I only have two classes on campus, a total of three nights a week. So I'm now home with Liam all day, every day. It's awesome... for the most part. I have to admit that I'm not quite sure what exactly I'm supposed to be doing. I play with Liam, make dinner, and attempt to keep the house clean. My days are pretty simple which makes me feel like I'm not doing enough; especially when for the last five years of my life Sunday was the only day of the week I spent more than 9 hours at a time in the home.

Of course I do have homework, but ironically it's harder for me to find time to study now that I'm home all day then it was when I worked and went to school full time (good thing I'm graduating in December). Liam's naps and after he goes to bed are really the only times I have to hit the books. Even when he is playing by himself its difficult to concentrate on essays and reading assignments; he's just so darn entertaining. He's a bigger distraction than the television.

Anyway, here are his most recent pictures. These were taken (all by Freddie of course) just prior to the four month mark about a month ago.

I see a future heart breaker. He totally got his daddy's looks.

Dear Citizen, I have something to Say.

Dear Citizen,

In regards to the debate on a Mosque and interfaith center near Ground Zero, the burning of the sacred text of the Koran and all anti-Muslim propaganda and bigotry: I have something to say.

For a long time now I have sat idly by and listened as extreme and radical views regarding those of Islamic heritage and Muslim faith have pervaded the media, airwaves and internet. My frustration at the level of ignorance and bigotry that exists in America has been quietly endured as I told myself that it could not have affected the general population at large and was simply the product of the sensationalist desires of an entertainment seeking public. But I now see that radical extremism is spreading like a communicable disease, bigotry, ignorance and terrorism being the primary symptoms. This must stop! If we are to maintain not only the dignity of a democracy built upon the foundations of life and liberty but the freedom of religion as well, we must put an end to radical extremism of all kinds.

Muslims are not our enemy. Our country has not declared war on Muslims; our county has declared war on Terrorism and recent bigot sentiment directed toward Muslims reeks of Nazism, not freedom. If we were truly to fight a war against terrorism I would suggest we start within our own boarders and go to the homes, the schools and the institutions of our nation. As devastating as September 11 was and still is, it was not the first terrorist attack on American soil. Have we forgotten about the Oklahoma City bombing, Columbine and the myriad of abortion clinic bombings, racial hate crimes and raging domestic violence? Would not those also be considered terrorism? Ask the victims and they will likely tell you yes. So then who is the enemy? Terrorism is simply another pervading symptom of a larger illness. All of these things have one thing in common; they are the product of radical extremism of one kind or another. Therefore I submit that a war on just terrorism is not good enough as it simply addresses a symptom of the larger issue.

My fellow Americans, the battle of our generation is not against terrorism, but against radical extremism of all kinds. The War on Terrorism exists because there are extremists in the Middle East; we are fighting an ideology there born of radical idealists. Would we have ourselves take up the same banner of extremism in order to win that war? That is what will happen should the bigotry directed toward Muslims continue. I urge you to lay down your preconceived, media fostered prejudices and instead take up the banner raised by our founding fathers of freedom of religion, of tolerance, of peace. “For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Gal. 5: 13-14).”

Date Night

So Freddie and I had our first date night since Liam was born and it was definitely different. It was hard to get Liam off my mind. I managed to only text Michael (who was so great and babysat for us) once the whole night. Freddie had to constantly remind me that we were on a date and that bills, most things Liam and school were taboo subjects to be discussed not while on a date. But we had a good time. We went to Chilies and ate a few appetizers and a dessert; can you say Molten Chocolate Cake... Amazing! Which brings me to the discussion of an observation; isn't it counter productive to put T.V.'s on every wall in a restaurant? I personally go out to eat to visit and enjoy company, not to watch sports updates and karate tournaments. It was crazy to watch these families and couples come into the restaurant and then zone out to the sports channel. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just get cable and eat at home? Now we went to Chilies because we had a gift card to use and their food was alight. All I'm saying is that it was a little weird in a twilight zone way.

Anyway, we then went and saw Inception. It was a fantastic film that I would definitely go and see again. Apparently I'm not the only one that feels that way because all I heard the next day from everyone else was how awesome they thought the film was... which also made it seem like we were the last people on earth to see that one.

By far the strangest thing that happened all night was when we picked our seats in the theater. Now I will wait in line for hours to get the seat I want in a theater. I don't particularly think theater seats are very comfortable unless you get the ones on the front row of the stadium seats with the bar you can put your feet up. I also have a thing about sitting in the middle of the screen. I have gone to great lengths in the past to ensure I get those particular seats and while it sounds a little spoiled, I get really put out when I can't get them. Continuing on, the theater was mainly empty which wasn't unusual considering Inception had been out for weeks and it was a 10 p.m. movie on Thursday night. But sure enough there was one lone man sitting in "my" seat. No big deal, I can still sit in my favorite row and get as close to the middle as possible. So Freddie and I proceed to move into the row and right up to the seat next to the lone man. As we approach Fred asks if the seat next to him is taken. Now I'm already a little weary of the dude as he looking a bit surly and is muttering to himself and I'm positive I heard an expletive or two escape this private one sided conversation of his. He gives no audible answer so Freddie asks again and the man responds with surprising volume and anger "The whole theater is empty and you want to sit by me all night?" Ok... wasn't expecting that one. Hoping to avoid a more unpleasant exchange I quickly explain that I like the middle seats in the front with the bar. The Lone Man simply goes back to muttering under his breath and proceeds to work a scratch and win card. Freddie and I move one seat down and settle in.

At this point there is still fifteen minutes or so until the previews even begin so Freddie and I proceed to talk. Not loudly mind you, we're just talking, maybe laughing a little, but by no means disturbing anyone else around us, neither are we the only couple in the mostly empty theater having a conversation. But apparently our interaction during the commercials and such they show before a film starts was disturbing to the Lone Man as his muttering grew louder and I was made aware of his considerably large sailor quality vocabulary. Suddenly he stood up and huffed off to find another seat clearly annoyed with our presence. It is the only time in my life that I'm aware of that someone has deliberately moved seats so as not to be near me. Mouth agape Freddie looked at me, "We weren't going to talk during the movie." True, we both detest movie talkers but what we were doing could hardly be considered that as the lights were still on and some advertisement about corporate usage of the theater was playing. I almost got up to confront the Lone Man and ask him what his problem was. Freddie asked if I wanted to move over another seat to the middle; we had a good laugh over our friend's extreme anti-social behavior and settled in to enjoy the film.

We finally made it home just about 2 a.m., exhausted and ready for bed but having had a good time. Date night reminded us how important dating is and the necessity that demands that we take some time to focus on our marriage and nurture that most basic but crucial building block of our family.

Finally...All the waiting is over and the new studio is opening!

Ok everyone, the Photo Works studio is finally opening it's doors this Friday. Check out their blog at http://photoworksportraitstudio.blogspot.com/ or find them on facebook under Photo Works Portrait Studio. Please pass the information along to all your friends and family. This is seriously the coolest professional photography studio around and you won't find a better product for the price. Freddie is excited to be a part of such an awesome undertaking so stop by the studio in the University Mall and help us make this new venture a huge success.

Finding time to sweat as a Mama

I have gone through various periods of fitness in my life but I have always considered myself fairly active. Even when I wasn't training for marathons I was still running/walking a couple of times a week and I picked up yoga a few years a go adding that to my fit-list. But I've never really been committed to fitness as a lifelong habit. Partly because I ran and did yoga more for the stress relief than to be fit and partly because I never had a reason to commit to fitness. But as a new mommy I am finding that not only is the time available for me to sweat a little limited but I have to find a whole new category of motivation that is beyond myself. I'm sure all you other mommies out there would agree that when it comes to priorities, you are the lowest on totem pole. So when I tell myself I need a run to burn off a little steam, that often gets bumped in favor of Liam's and even Freddie's needs.

Unfortunately...or maybe fortunately, I am beginning to find that kind of thinking has led to an often unhappy momma . Exercise releases the happy hormones and when you are already sleep deprived and pressed to the max in your schedule you need as many happy hormones to get you through the day as possible. But what to do? Inevitably I will always chose the needs of my family over myself. I'm a wife and a mother, it's ingrained. The solution to this problem has already been presented in this blog. It's simple; I view it as a bonus, nay, a necessity to my family's well being for me to take care of myself. In order for me to be the best mommy possible I need to feel good and be healthy.

So I am working to carve out time for me to sweat just a little and I've managed to succeed at least three times a week for the last two weeks, and I do feel better, I am happier and best of all I am setting a good example for my family. What better way to teach my children the importance of treating out bodies right than by showing them. I work hard to make healthy meals for my family and now I am working hard to keep my body in good physical condition.

I have recently gotten hooked on a new blog http://mamasweat.blogspot.com/. She share, or maybe I should say, pioneered, the philosophy of finding time, any time, as a mom to sweat just a little every day.

For all the other mommies out there, and even those who love a mommy, try to take a few minutes each day to sweat a little. Remember, fitness isn't about looking good, it's about feeling good and giving yourself the best chance of living a long, healthy life, blessing those around you.

On a different but related note, I have given up sugar... at least until after Owen's wedding and it is a lot harder than I thought it would be. While I hit my prepregnancy weight pretty quickly after Liam was born things have... rearranged themselves, and clothes don't exactly fit the way they use to. I don't want to forever be immortalized in Owen's wedding photos in all my postpartum glory so I am working to try and lose a little lose baggage. Since I already eat well, plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean protein, I figured eliminating refined sugar was my best option. I've got to say I've never wanted a cookie so badly but hopefully it's worth not having to grease myself up to slide into a pair of spanks to keep myself from bulging out of my bridesmaid dress.