Cutest Kid...

Ever. 'nough said!

Back-back to Cali (part one)

When I found out my Pa (grandpa) wasn't doing very well it happened to fall on my Spring Break at work. Pa had told me a few months ago that he wanted to see me and Porter again before he died. I promised him he would. We found out Saturday that Pa wasn't doing well and Sunday we bought out tickets. This was one of the best trips I have had in California. I didn't get to see my sisters hardly at all, my dad or any of my friends, we didn't go shopping or playing. I saw my Pa. I told him I loved him and always felt so close to him. I told him I knew the Gospel was true. I told him he didn't need to be afraid. I was able to see him look at Porter with so much love it breaks my heart now that I didn't cherish that a bit more. I watched him make some very hard choices and I watched him slip farther and farther away. These pictures of Porter and me and Pa are the last I have of him. I will always hold them dear to me. I am so grateful that my mom and dad didn't mind Pman and I spoiling their week and having two more people to worry about. I am so glad I was able to see my Pa and hug and kiss him. It's amazing how much I miss him and how so many things pop up that make me think of him.

12 months

Pretend it's April 3rd

Hey World!
It's me Porter. Well this is my last "month" picture. I can't believe I'm double digits. One year has been really awesome. I had a sweet party on April 2nd and had a great birthday day at home on the 3rd. I have lots of new and improved skills. I still clap and play peek-a-boo. I am standing a ton and have taken a few very careful steps. I can shake it like a rock-star, especially on my change table. I love to crawl with a car in each hand. I say "dada, mama, Hi, yeah, uh-oh, wazat (what's that), shake my head yes and no sign "all done". I am 30 and 7/8 inches tall, I weigh 20 lbs 10 oz my head is 48.4 cm. I love to play and read books. I love to be chased around the house and go outside (when it's warm). My hair is really curly and it's the talk amongst the ladies. So needless to say the 'rents still are keep with the Jewish tradition and not cutting it until I'm three. That's only two more years! I love kids but I'm kinda hands on and some babies shy away from that. I love my daddy and mommy and love being the center of their world right now! One is great! I'm excited for life as a big (er) kid! Thanks for checking in!

Love,
Porter

Porter Party Part 2

Porter had a great FIRST birthday! He loved his cake...eventually. He loved all his presents! And he loved everyone! Naturally we had a pinata (because we know how to party), un-naturally it was a steel enforced pinata and took forever. (next time I'll put candy in there, just toys this time). We had a blast and are so excited for our new adventures with a ONE year old!

GET A GRIP!

I have had a good time laughing at some things going on in the blogging world! Geeze louise some people need to calm it down. Now lets clear up some of my personal blog rules and guidliness. I blog about my life. That includes, my hubs awesome beard (see post below), my cuttest baby in the world, races I'm running (like the Provo half marathon tomorrow), work (because I DO work), dates, sad things, happy things and silly things. Like this post.

Ok. Is this thing working? Is the volume turned up? Checking, checking 1,2,3. Oh good. Ok now some people on know their "friends" by blogging. I'm guilty of that for a few people. Just so ya know, I like to have fun. I like to ruffle the stiff air (especially here in Provo) and I am not afraid to speak my mind. Sometimes I make fun of a situation that happened to me. Sometimes I tell people I have had it with nasty comments (ie about working moms). Sometimes I say I can do more than cook, clean and make a fetus. (which by the way, I made I really cute one!)And sometimes people don't know how to take a joke.

So here's how: laugh. I know, I'm a really good teacher. So don't get your feathers in a ruffle over anything on my blog. I have a really good sense of humor and can't help my witty writing. (aka that was a joke). SO I do hope my real friends keep up with me through blogging (I PROMISE to post more really fun pictures) and I hope those that read my thoughts/feelings/insights on life and go post nasty comments, get upset (because there is really nothing to get upset about-unless your jealous of my amazing shopping buys) or want to start a post war: GET a GRIP!

This blog is for fun. And really for me. I understand that when I post outside of pictures and butterflies, some people aren't going to like it but when intent to hurt is NOT there, I think we should stop being self-centered and know that it's not about YOU (on my blog, smiley face) Ya know what I mean?

What's that hair on your face?

The hubs decided to do a challenge at the BOYS CLUB (aka work) where he wouldn't shave until he met his goal for the quarter. A quarter is 3 months long and his goal was absurd. So here it is! The BEARD! Three months of no shaving and my hairy man had quite the beard. If you know Caleb, you know that he hates to have facial hair. I hate it when he shaves everyday. We had fun with this and really had fun laughing at peoples rude comments. But alas the beard had to go. It took Porter awhile to adjust back to the non-mountain man Daddy and I enjoyed kissing his lips without moving his hair out of the way. His boss loved it and we had a good time with it. I'm glad to see your skin again babe!

Just a mom- I'll probably get slapped for this...

But I can take a hit so here it goes. It may be that I have had a crazy month, it may be that I'm tired,no exhausted. But it's probably because I'm sick and tired of snide remarks. And I enjoy an honest blog.

I work. Three days a week. 21 hours a week, not including lunch and commute. So really I get paid for 21 hours of work a week. And then I pay my babysitter. I don't work for fun. I don't work for entertainment. I work for my family. When Caleb started his new job he didn't get insurance for 90 days. So I went back to work FULL time. Because I was raised by hard-working republican parents who installed a good work ethic in me. And because I understand that when you get "state" aid it is coming straight from the hard working AMERICAN citizens. So I sucked it up and went to work. Now, I am fortunate enough to have an amazing job that allowed me to go part time.

Because why do I have to chose? Why do I have to pick from being a mom or being a career woman? Men don't have to choose. Why can't I have a little bit of both. Well, I am blessed. And I do. And I thank God everyday in my prayers for this blessing.

It doesn't make it a hobby though. It is NOT an escape from the occasional monotony of being a stay at home mom. It is work. And it is hard. So please do not come up to me and say:"oh how nice for you" or "wow, that's great you get a little 'me' time". Because I am so sick of it. And because it simply is not true. And since I'm already on a roll, don't tell me how busy you are. Because you are have WAY more time that a full time working gal, WAY WAY more time than a full-time working mama, and WAY more time than a part-time working mom, like me.

So when people say "JUST" a mom. It's because it's true. You are J-U-S-T a mom. And I think that is wonderful. You can dedicate all your time and energy to your family. It is hard I'm sure. But beautiful. And some days I envy that so much I could turn green. But then I look at my life, and my family, and the choices we are making and I am PROUD. And excited. So don't take that away from me. And don't let anyone take it away from you.