My handsome growing boy!

The joys of being a mother can be seen in the little growth areas of their children. My joy is this handsome little man. I love to dress him in his Sunday Best! And here he is - pin stripe pants and vest to go with his long sleeve white shirt. Such a stud...










On Friday night, Kim's boys came over and watched LJ for a little while. And even though we got called for help in changing a diaper :), and about every 10 minutes because "he's not going to sleep, he's just standing up in his crib." - it was a good experience for the boys. When we got back to my house, here is what we found. Taylor had given up and decided to hold him. And LJ was quick to pass out! Aren't they both just so cute!!! It's awesome to see Taylor and Will help out so much. Thank you boys!







Now, I'm sure all mother's have experience this - but LJ was so tired a couple of nights ago that he couldn't sit up straight - and he kept putting his head to the side, but he didn't want me to take his food away... Go figure.







On the mornings when LJ wakes up while I'm getting ready for work, he typically tries his best to follow me around the house - which I purposely walk around like when I'm brushing my teeth - so that he can get faster!!! And if I stop somewhere, he pulls himself up on my legs. Isn't this the best sight EVER!




AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT!!!!!! CINDI MORGAN HAS COME OUT OF THE CLOSET!!!



She was wondering what I was taking a picture of her for - but I just couldn't help myself! She went "under the stairs" (which I think is the most AWESOME idea ever) to get a toy that Emmett no longer really uses. She gave it to LJ to help him on his journey of learning to walk. Which by the way, he loves to pull this ontop of him... I think he has it a bit backwards... But he will push it up against a wall (as it has wheels) and then push all the buttons and whatnot that make music and various noises.... Thanks Cindi!!! And way to go for coming out of the closet! (And thank you for being such an amazing friend. I will never be able to put into words how much you've helped me, and continue to help me. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance).

Just chillin'

How would this not make your heart melt and want to just snuggle right up with him?



In my month of Thankfulness, I have so many blessings that it is hard to decide where to start. One of my volleyball players from my freshman team has become such an awesome part of our lives (along with her family!) Megan has helped me with babysitting, and even just coming over to take care of LJ so that I can get things done around the house. You can see from the coming pictures just how comfortable they are with each other...





And on Saturday, we were able to finish up the portrait parties with our final session. I'm sure Shandy is glad we are complete with all of them too! I know I'm exhausted!!! It was fun though... This next photo - well - LJ and Megan both didn't make it through the afternoon at the park - and took the chance to catch some zzz's! Aren't they cute!



For those of you who do not know, LJ has a half brother, Kien. We were able to make a couple of Kien's soccer games - and here are the boys after Kien's last game. Their smiles just make me melt. I'm so glad that both brother's enjoy being around each other, and I hope that their relationship will be able to keep growing as they get older (even without the connection of their father - the boys have a couple of amazing mothers, if I do say so myself!)




Wouldn't you know - someone.... has figured out that he can stand up by himself! Can you see his excitement?!



He cracks me up as his gets himself stood up and then sqwauks at anyone because he can't figure out how to get back down and move onto the next toy...



What can I say, he is such a handsome little man... Stay tuned! There will be some sneak peaks up sometime this week from the photo shoot - and we'll see some new changes and some different captures of life... What are these, you ask? You'll just have to wait and see...

Dig down deep....

Have you ever had those days, those moments where you have to rely on other people, places, moments, music to help you get through the hurdle that is placed in front of you? To dig down deep in order to maintain that face that allows those around you not to inquire too far? In essence, fake it 'till you make it? Taking one step at a time, making things as simple as necessary to pass each moment, one breath followed by the next..... Now don't misread what I am saying. Merely stating that life is not all grand and wonderful and sometimes you just need to realize that things are out of your control. At that point of realization is the point in which we must fall to our knees and cry unto heaven for the direction that we so desperately seek. The cavat - how long do you wait for the answers? Simple really - let me put it this way.... At the moment you kneel down and pray unto heaven for help, you must release and realize that you just asked for those things to be place in the hands of Heavenly Father. He, and only He, will take these burdens from you. Allow Him to do so - and as you stand back up - remember - you just gave them to your Father, He will not forget to help you. The answer may not come at that very second, but He never promised it would be. He did promise that our burdens would be lifted. We must take the little moments of serenity that are needed whenever they come - at noon, 5pm, 8am, even 3am - these moments have been created (even though we may curse the lack of sleep that is evading our lives). Our Father will never leave us alone. There may be no one on earth aware of your struggles or your sleepless nights, but your Father is pacing the floors and gazing at the stars with you. His arms are around you - even when you feel so desperately alone. Life will continue - the sun rises every morning.

I am so thankful for the many blessings that surround me in my life. I have so many wonderful friends that help me in their very own special ways. Some are more visible than others - and I am always looking for ways in which I can find to show them my love and appreciation for all they do for me. Especially for all the help and assistance I receive with my beautiful son. How can I ever repay the many lives that have given their assistance since before he was even born! I may struggle with various aspects, but I am eternally grateful for my many blessings.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. My burdens have been lifted by all of you who have answered our Father's plea to come unto my aid - especially when I have been stubborn to not ask myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for being worthly and able to listen to the small promptings. You have blessed my life.

NOW - what would a post on this blog be without some pictures!!!!

Shandy, in all of her outstanding abilities.... here are some sneaks of his 9 month pictures!!!






And here is one that Hollie was able to capture for me!!!

The battles of single parenthood.....

To start off the Fall Season - I've had the joy of dealing with a few sleepless nights with a cranky baby (yeah, I said LJ was cranky - hard to believe!). And after the 2nd night in a row - I called the doctor and he asked me to bring him in. Turns out the little guy was fighting with a sinus infection AND and ear infection. No wonder he was cranky! But needless to say, thanks to a kind and understanding doctor - he gave me a prescription for some night time cough medicine for LJ and we were both able to get a nights sleep! Yeah!!!

Now on to an update for the past coupls of weeks....

This picture shows you the reason why you NEVER leave your cell phone where high school volleyball players can get to it... This is Alex and Melissa, there were on my Freshman team last year at Mountain View High School.



And thanks to Grandma, LJ is now trying even more to be like Grandpa and sporting the BSU pride! Isn't he just a little ham for the camera~



Halloween is here folks!!! Well - at least it's around the corner! Here we have a little beenie to help keep Mister's head nice and warm - and you can't read it, but it says My 1st Boo! And his shirt has a little ghost on it... either way - LJ is stinking CUTE!!!




I love the surprise look on his face!!



Over the past weekend, we were able to go up to Cambridge and spend the weekend with Grandma, Grandpa, and Tera, Dan, and the kids. After church, we were all locked out of the house since Grandpa locked the doors and was still at choir practice.... Anyway - while waiting, the puppies (6 weeks old - mini-dauschound - sp?) decided to crawl up and get warm with LJ in his carseat.... Isn't it just adorable!







Check out this smirk!!!



Ahhhhh - puppy kisses....



Of course the little guy is excited about shopping.... he was enjoying himself as I was putting different hats on him trying to find one that covers his big noggin! Can you see his hair sticking up?



Even though I'm done coaching the Freshman team for this season, I still help out with the Varsity team when I can. LJ came with me over to the game at Meridian High School - and I sat in the parking lot for a little while to let him get more of his cat nap before heading into the gym... Isn't he just a handsome little man!



"My future's so bright that I have to wear shades!"



On a late night shopping excursion with Grandpa, LJ didn't quite make it through Lowe's without crashing... But he got to ride on the big cart along with the garage shelves!!! Makes LJ look a little small.... but we all know different!

My amazing little sister!

Ok - so some of you have met my little sister, Shera. I just wanted to share a part of her amazing talents.

This is a little recording she did of the song she wrote and sang for her husband for their anniversary earlier this year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRYV-9JKqnM



Isn't she just AMAZING!!! I can't believe how blessed I have been to have such a wonderful family. My sister's are by far the most wonderful gals that I know and they are so strong! Thank you all for your extraordinary examples. I love you!!!


Even though this day started some major heartache in my life - it was great to have my family surrounding me. And look how beautiful they are!!!



What's even better - is there are now 4 more babies since this photo - not even 2 years ago!

The infamous MRI shot!

I was finally able to get a still shot of the MRI screen that showed my glorious tear of the rectus femoral quadracep muscle........... Isn't it just lovely!!! I tore my right quad - even though it's shown on the left side....

Life's little accomplishments

According to Taylor, I need to post more....(Now Taylor, I expect to be seeing some pictures of a special day you and Erin shared a few weeks ago!!!) For those who blog-stalk daily - here are some little tidbits of life as it evolves in my little household. My handsome son is going through another growth spurt and woke up on Sunday at 5:30AM - which threw off his sleeping schedule - and we didn't quite make it all the way through church. So we headed home early - but the good news is...... He took two separate naps - both 2-3 hours long!!! And yes, I got to take little naps as well!!! I love Sundays! Here we are on our way home from church. On Saturday - my friend Erica and her son Bentley were able to join us on a little excersion to find me some new shirts.... I'll explain that a little later. But while we were taking advantage of a GREAT sale at Old Navy - we found some really cute Halloween outfits and we just HAD to try them on with the boys. Bentley was a dragon, and LJ was a monkey.... fitting, I know!


NOW - for the exciting news that is not about LJ!!!! The Army has some weird requirements when it comes to the weight scale for most women... and since having my son, I have been struggling with getting back down to standards for the military (I know most women have problems losing the baby weight - but I had a deadline with the military). But thanks to my doctor, I've been able to do a diet program that has been working AMAZINGLY!!! In the past 6 weeks - I've lost a total of............................................................................ 33 LBS!!!!! Can you believe it!!! I'm so excited about it. And I'm not done! I'm continuing to work towards a weight goal of 185 - which I haven't been since high school. And do not worry, I am under doctor supervision, so even though it's a lot of weight in a short amount of time, I'm being watched closely. If you want to get hooked up with the same deal, just let me know - and I can help you get some discounts! Anyway - Erica went with me on Saturday because I needed some new shirts. Only shirts because I'm not done losing weight, so I wanted to hold off on buying pants and such. Even though I did use a pair of pants off the rack that would semi match all the shirts I was trying on. And guess what?!?! For the FIRST time EVER... I had to ask for a smaller size of pants!!! YAHOOOOOOOOO.... I was so excited! Normally I have to ask for a larger size. Ok - so here are some of the shirts that I got. Now I have the task of finding undershirts since most of these were a little low cut. But I still had a fun time with Erica - even though the boys were getting a bit cranky towards the end. Thank you very much for going with me Erica and for helping find these great deals and styles of shirts!!! And a big THANK YOU to Valerie Ross for telling us about that AMAZING sale... $4 for Old Navy shirts.... Who Wouldn't GO!!! Along with my little accomplishment of weight loss, LJ has finally decided to show other people that he can move forward - typically only towards a remote (yeah, he's a little man.... gotta love the tv remote!) - and Hollie gave me the idea to catch him on video - she got some really cute ones of him on Friday (or was it Thursday? I don't know...) So he may not be completely Army crawling - but at least he's figured out that moving around is beneficial to his goals of capturing his toys... even though the remote isn't his toy.