into the woods

1 bored and begging wife
1 stir-crazy baby
1 homework heavy husband
1 crazy idea

55 min of driving
45 min of baby screaming
1 long, dusty, meadow-lined road

1 quiet campsite

1 brand-spanking new tent
2 hours blowing up a mattress
2 fearless and chatty chipmunks
2 rushing rivers

5,000,000,000 menacing mosquitos
1 warning of bears
many hours worrying about said bears
1 super-content-to-play-with-rocks-and-dirt little boy
1 blazing bonfire

4 sticky s'mores
1 tired, cranky baby
1 very long night
2 (maybe 3) hours of sleep
several frustrated camping neighbors
1 bears-surrounding-our-tent nightmare
1 middle-of-the-night diaper change
2 trips to the not-as-disgusting-as-i-feared bathroom
2 mosquito bites on the bottom of my foot?!?
4 mosquito bites on clint's face
0 mosquito bites on little owey (victory!)
1 gorgeous morning hike

hundreds of not-even-close-to-real-life pictures
1 beautiful reservoir
1 happy sling-riding baby

3 exhausted campers

55 min home
45 min of sleeping baby
48 hours of recovery

when can we do it again!!??

9 months in... 9 months out... (well, sorta)

(though technically pregnancy is more than 9 months.... sneaky, sneaky...)
i can't believe it's already been 9 months since we welcomed our little guy to the world. these days, owey is my best friend and constant companion (poor kid) and never ceases to amaze. several times a day clint and i find ourselves commenting on what a crazy cool kid we have in our midst and we can't wait for the many more adventures.

what is he up to? you might ask?

• walking 6 or 7 steps
• talking up a storm (about who knows what!?)
  
• hollering like an indian (moving his hand on and off his mouth while "talking") this is seriously soooo cute - he figured it out himself and now will copy us if we do it!
  
• standing on his tiptoes to reach up onto the kitchen table, the desk, the bookshelf, you name it
• standing on top of boxes, baskets, whatever he can find to be able to reach what he wants
• eating anything and everything - favorites include pasta, avocados, mangoes, bananas, tomatoes, blueberries, cheerios and beans
• loooooves playing outside on the grass, tries to eat rocks, dandelions, grass, whatever he can get his hands on
• favorite toys include spatulas, ladles, the bathroom scale, his high chair, books
• favorite book is "there's a wocket in my pocket" (dr. seuss of course)
  
• loves jumping on the couch, practicing walking, taking baths, and swinging in the air, playing peek-a-boo
  
• pretty much never sits still for a second
• makes the goofiest faces (see above) when he's happy and laughing (and sometimes snorts through his nose)
• hates getting his diaper changed and his face washed
• sleeps like his mom did, butt in the air
• loves jeopardy and wheel of fortune (unfortunately on at odd times of the day here in rexburg)
• just this morning learned how to roll and throw a ball
  
• is still cute as ever!!

hopefully he doesn't get bored of us anytime soon, 'cause we're not trading this one in!
we love you owey! we are so grateful you are part of our family!

a first for us...

just had to let you in on what went down here last night. (not for the faint of heart, by the way....my dad would be so proud!)
as owey splish-splashed away in the tub, i sat reading the ensign on the toilet (seat CLOSED, mind you... i'm not about to get THAT personal, but there is not much room any where else to life guard in that bitty bathroom of ours.) all was well - owey chewing on washcloths (why is he so obsessed with this?) and of course standing up and sitting down exploring every inch of that bitty tub in that bitty bathroom.
as i was saying, all was well - he was entertained, i was entertained. and then i hear a sound different than the normal splish-splashes - i look up to see him standing up peeing on the wall of the tub. (awww. his first pee on a wall. just kidding people. i did not think that.) he finished his business and i decided it probably was time to get out (we don't like to make a practice of swimming in our own pee. unless you're in the ocean- that's totally different.) and then the worry set in. he got the look. (you know where this is going, right?) i begged "please don't poop. please don't poop in the tub." but what do you do? you can't take him out... who knows how far along he is in this process? and which is worse? poop all over you and who knows where else? or poop in the tub? well, before i could even decide what to do - the deed was done.
i screamed (what else do you do?) and clint (who was on the phone with his parents) came into the bathroom to see what had happened. by this time i was cracking up - because i don't recall ever having seen a kid standing up in a tub, holding onto the front edge while his excrements floated behind him. that's funny stuff. owey was looking at us look at him wondering what the big deal was. i suppose he is pretty used to pooping wherever the heck he wants (in a diaper of course) - why was this any different? clint calmly told me to get him out and he would clean up the tub (don't you just love husbands?) owey of course was mad that his adventures in the tub ended early, and that little event made me laugh almost enough to pull me out of the weird funk i was in yesterday. (i'll spare you.) soo.... does that count as potty training? (it did end up in the toilet after all.) i knew our kid was a genius.

dry.

somehow we went from full blown winter (rain, hail, wind and snow) to full on summer (dry, dry, dry and dry) in a matter of seconds, i swear. i am still a little confused, but we are alive. no worries. and hey - the good news? the sun is out and that i will not complain about.
i guess the weather isn't the only thing that's dry around here... and thus, the lack of blogging. i promise i am trying to make life exciting, but there's just not that much happening around here folks. i hope you will forgive my boring-ness (shut-up, it's a word) and that you will pray for more exciting-ness (also a word) here in r-town. k, i'm off to go stare at the wall.

b-day

happy 25th birthday mom!
we miss you so much and would do anything to be there and give you big sloppy birthday kisses!
we loooooooove you!!
xoxo,
j,c&o.

p.s. happy b-day to you too keri!

d-day

to the fathers in my life:
my dad, the first father i ever knew - a great example to me of optimism, success, testimony, love and selflessness. thanks dad for all you have done for us and all you continue to do. we love you soo much!



my father-in-law, the one who taught my husband to be such a good dad- one of the most hard-working, genuine, loving people i know - thanks for always showing our family so much love and kindness. we love you!!



and to the new dad on his first father's day - can't quite express what the sum of all of these moments has meant to me. thank you for loving our son the way you do and for making it so easy to be a mom. we love you!!


with love, j&o.

don't say i didn't warn ya...

here's a whole slew of recent pics of my 2 favorite models:
(and yes, owey has food all over his face... as always!)





















am learning to antique:




and my latest fav of rexburg:

WHAT THE?

um. excuse me. isn't it june 11th?

THEN WHY IN THE WORLD IS IT SNOWING OUTSIDE!!??!!

(help.)

a word on talents

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say 'I used everything you gave me.'" -Erma Louise Bombeck

i have been thinking a lot about talents lately. maybe it's all the free time and trying to figure out what to do with myself. i'll admit, there have been times in my life when i felt comfortable saying that i had many talents (not in an obnoxious, cocky way... just more in acknowledgment). at other times, i have felt very low on the talent totem pole. it's no mystery that those low times were the times when i was doing nothing with the gifts i had been given.

here and now, i am feeling a sense of urgency to do something with those gifts. here i am, in the middle of nowhere with no target or outlet mall or beach or even family or friends to distract me ... what better time could there be to really put some effort into improving myself and learning how to use the gifts that God has given me?

the hardest thing is knowing what to do and how to do it. i feel like i used to be an uber-creative person, and in the last few years my creativity has waned. i became lazy, and it was just a little easier to not have to think so hard to create. i guess creativity is much like a muscle. when it isn't used it deteriorates and though it serves you well enough to get through with the basics, such atrophy makes it impossible to truly triumph and stretch the boundaries of your limitations.

i know a few people who are really good at consistently exercising their creativity. my sister is a great example to me of one who is constantly blessing the lives of her family and friends through her thoughtful and super cute creations.
i am always amazed at not only her ability to make anything cute, but also her willingness to put in the extra time and effort to create something one of a kind and from the heart. i want to be like her when i grow up. i suppose we both learned our love of things creative from mom. she is the artist in all of us kids.

my friend carlie is also wicked talented and i have no idea how she does it. with 4 kids (2 of which are babies, mind you) she finds the time to run her businesses (yes, that's plural) and always comes up with the greatest and most adorable things. i don't know when she sleeps!!


and then there's miss marta. was impressed by her creativity from the first time i met her (those german socks!) and i hadn't the faintest idea of what she was really all about. the girl exhales creativity and beauty. i am so glad she shares it all with us on her blog.


and even right here within my own four walls - clint truly is a creative genius. people are always stunned when they compliment me on the decor of our house and i toss all the credit his way.

but it's true. he just knows what looks good. and when he's not decorating our house he's drawing up plans of our dream house, designing logos, painting, you name it. the boy's got skill.

so, obviously i have some good examples to look to. but where to begin? it seems so overwhelming when trying to get back into that state of mind where ingenuity and loveliness meet. for now i have found one thing to get me back in creative shape. photography. taking pictures is a new media for me and i am in love. i am hoping to find some models here in rexburg that would let me practice on them (know anyone? please? please?) so that clint and owey don't get too sick of me constantly looking at them from the other side of the lens. i covet lenses and accessories and am always looking for a cool new backdrop (there are tons here in rural little rexburg!) so, please don't mind if i post a picture or two (or 2 million) in the next little while. it seems this may be what might help me get my groove back.

what about you? what do you do to get out of a creative slump?

running in rexburg

i am soooo glad that i started running months ago before the thought of moving to rexburg had ever even crossed our minds. (sidenote: isn't that crazy that a few months ago we hadn't even thought of this, and now here we are already? anyhow... back to the point)
the past 6 months or so, running has been a great outlet for me and pretty therapeutic. not that i really needed therapy for reals - but i think every one can use a little alone time on the open road. besides that, exercising does more for self-confidence and a productive life than anything else i've ever found.
i started running to get in shape and to have a hobby, but also with the intention of running the half marathon. it absolutely consumed me at times and i found myself loving something i used to dread. now that the big race is over and gone, i just can't quit. maybe if i had the beach calling my name or some friends or something i might be tempted to stray from the peace of the wind on my face, and the pound pound of the pavement, but now - here in rexburg - it is a lifeline.
believe me, it's not because i need quiet time, or alone time even. i get PLENTY of that these days. (well, maybe not quiet while owey is awake- but you know what i mean). and it's not to prove to myself that i can do it as it was many days during training. instead it is to fill that longing for something familiar, something refreshing, something that reminds me of the strength and determination that is within me on days when i am feeling weak. i have needed to feel powerful and purposeful. when you up and leave your comfort zone, there's got to be something comfortable (though up until now i would not have ever called something so phjysically demanding comfortable). and besides, i have to work off all that comfort food i've been indulging in somehow.
ironically, it has been a bit of a struggle for me to hit the road for a few reasons. i have no idea where i'm going for one, and rexburg is small enough i practically have to run circles around the city to get in a long run. also, did you know it's a little different to run 5000 feet than it is at sea level? no kidding. but worst of all, my knee has still been bothering me since the race. i still don't know what the deal is, but after a stop at the local big 5 to get a knee strap thing to see if that will ease the pain, i'm hoping all will be well tomorrow. funny thing is, i don't care. i have to run. no excuses.

Even with all the obstacles, i have had some of my most joyous runs since being here. i thought nothing could compare to running along the coast in san diego, and maybe still it's not quite the same, but i have fallen in love with the countryside here. and i'm not sure i would have felt the same way had i gotten to know it by car. i can run for miles and miles and not see a single car. the other day i saw 6 baby horses (foal?) on my run - and i can't tell you the smile i had on my face after that. have you ever seen an itty bitty baby horse up close? i hadn't. sooooo cute. ok. enough with the baby animals. i know.
anyhow- my point is, i am feeling really grateful that this "hobby" of mine has made me start to appreciate this little city more than i would have otherwise. and we all know - these days, i could use the therapy.

up next:
DamMarathon 10k
June 14th

Idaho Falls Rock and Roll (oxymoron?) Half-Marathon
August 2nd

yes, owey's doing fine...

thanks for asking!

thankful thursday

today i am thankful for, more than anything else, my family. i know in the past i have taken for granted what a great family i have, but right now i feel so blessed to have such an amazing support system. they are my cheerleaders, my role models, my pillars of strength, my best friends. now that we are far from both of our families (clint's family is closer now, but still not exactly down the road) it is so apparent how much we rely on them. not only that, but my own little family, just me, clint, and owey, means the world to me. i can't imagine a single day without them and the joy that they bring to my life. how thankful i am.

like a proud mama

off he goes to his first day of school. (they grow up so fast!)

this is what happens when i'm bored and clint has homework...

The concept:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name

thanks carlie... i needed this!

"We must never let fear and the father of fear (Satan himself) divert us from our faith and faithful living. Every person in every era has had to walk by faith into what has always been some uncertainty. This is the plan. Just be faithful. God is in charge. He knows your name and He knows your need. God expects you to have enough faith, determination, and trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. He expects you not simply to face the future; He expects you to embrace and shape the future—to love it, rejoice in it, and delight in your opportunities. God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe. " - Jeffrey R. Holland

a quizzle fo shizzle

in the spirit of clint going back to school tomorrow, i thought a quiz was in order. a little participation... just to make things all interactive and exciting around here. we'll see how well you know us and how well you know good ol' rexburg. multiple choice of course.

1. the best thing about rexburg is:
a. the small town feel (wide open spaces and beautiful scenery)
b. the locals (so entertaining!)
c. the weather (great in the summer)
d. being students again (how fun!)

2. the worst thing about rexburg (ask anyone) is:
a. the small town feel (no shopping, entertainment, beach, or anything else!)
b. the locals (umm... driver's ed?)
c. the weather (antarctica here we come)
d. being students again (aren't we a little old for this?)

3. i finally told clint "ok, i can do this" when:
a. i realized how close we were to yellowstone and good camping spots
b. i saw how beautifully green it was here and realized at least in the summer i wouldn't freeze
c. it only took 25 min to get to idaho falls (the closest target - duh.)
d. we drove past bajios (think cafe rio) and coldstone.

4. the best thing about our apartment is:
a. the price (don't even ask- you will die and be tempted to move here)
b. the amazing square footage
c. we live on the same street as the temple
d. drawers in the bathroom!

5. the average byu-i student:
a. looks 12
b. acts 12
c. is 12
d. all of the above

6. clint's current major is:
a. graphic design
b. chemistry
c. engineering
d. modern dance

7. our new ward is:
a. interesting
b. great!
c. full of more kids under the age of 2 than there are adults
d. interesting? (did i say that already?)

8. the best thing about living in 500 square feet less than our condo is:
a. everything is within arms reach
b. every inch is decorated
c. 500 square feet less to clean
d. owey never gets lost!

9. clint's favorite part about church on sunday was:
a. the guy talking about how he brought home a burro (as in donkey) and his wife didn't like it.
b. the bishopric member who looked just like the "family guy"
c. watching owey tackle other restless toddlers in the foyer
d. all of the above

10. walmart is:
a. the staff of life (whit??)
b. as good as it gets
c. white trash
d. better than nothing

come on... i dare you!

welcome to rexburg

" I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever i find myself." -maya angelou

m.o.v.e

the big moving day was finally here.

the truck in sunny california

the truck in gloomy idaho

the new digs

the new neighbors (scared me too, until we found out it was the missionaries.)

the moving men. so buff.

and... the mess:

will it all fit??