Random Things Worth Smiling About

I was talking to my sister the other day about being a mom and how great (and challenging) it is. It got me thinking about that General Conference talk speaking to new moms. I loved the part about living in the moment and remembering the happy times instead of the 2:00 a.m. screaming sessions. Lucky for me, I heard that talk BEFORE Jay was born. It has been a goal of mine to live in the moment ever since. And man does it make life easier!

Anyhow, today I was just reflecting on some of those little moments (I woke up a little sleep deprived!) and I thought I'd share a few...

#1) I love thinking about the first few days after having Jay. He was so little and fragile. Here's his hospital wrist band: His wrists were so tiny. (Not his hands though... those were always huge!)

#2) Speaking of his hands.. I love those too!

They are constantly moving, grabbing at anything in reach. It makes me laugh to watch him try and figure things out. It's amazing how every problem... whether it's his hand being stuck in his sleeve, or not being able to separate his toy chain links... can be solved by putting it in his mouth. I'm sure there is some life metaphor we can all draw from that. (That was a joke!)

#3) I love watching how much Jay adores Joe. Here they are after a large Thanksgiving feast. Just look at how he's sucking his thumb on one hand and hugging his daddy with the other.

#4) I love how Jay is always learning new things. For instance, he just discovered his feet! This makes changing the most disgusting diapers a little more amusing.

#5) And finally, I love bundling him up to go outside...

Nothing beats that hat!

Jay's Jumper

For my baby shower my sister-in-law, Teresa, got me one of those jumpers that hangs from the doorway. Jay was too little for it until a few weeks ago but now it is his absolute favorite thing on the planet! Thank you Teresa!
He is sooooo cute in it...

What a little flirt huh?
His hands get stuck in the leg holes sometimes. Usually he cries until I come fix it, but this day he wore himself out and just sat there.

One day Jay was in his jumper and Joey and I were watching some TV program. Well after a while we realized that we hadn't heard jumping for a very long time. We turned around and he'd fallen asleep!

Jay Dawg

"Sup?"

I told you he's going to be a model... or a gangster!

(Doesn't it look like he's taking the picture himself?)

Happy Birthday Joe!!

Well, I'm a little behind here, but November 23rd was Joe's Birthday! He celebrates every year with his Grandpa Brady because they were born on the same day... just a few years apart. This year they turned 108.

Here we are having dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Brady's house.

(I love how it looks like Jay is just chillin' on top of the table--Joey's holding him up.)

And here's Grandpa holding Jay. I was in charge of making the cake. Now last year Joey requested a Ninja Turtle cake. This was it: So this year I was planning on creating some sort of 80's cartoon masterpiece but there just wasn't time in between church and the party. I had to put the cake in the freezer just to frost it in time. I asked Joe what he wanted it to say and he said, "I want it to say 'Happy Birthday Men' cuz I'm a man now. I can rent a car!"... He's 25.

Here's Katie holding the cake with all 108 candles on it.

And here's the blaze.

The cake was twice as big last year so it fit the candles better. But after the cake that Joey got me for my birthday... (need I remind you)...I decided we were all a little "caked-out" and opted for the smaller cake this year.

It was pretty much all wax by this point.

Why did I even write anything on it?! And it wouldn't be a birthday for Joe if he didn't get clothes! Now you may be wondering about the pink bag in Joe's lap... well the Brady's have this tradition (that I appreciate more and more each birthday) of not wrapping their gifts. They find some blanket or shirt to wad it up in and that's how they give it to you. (Christmas is the exception.... that would be a lot of blankets and shirts to retrieve.) Anyhow, the above picture was my gift to Joey that I "wrapped" in my church bag.

Matching ties from Rick and Katie..

A coat from Mom and Dad.
(Because Joey NEVER wears a coat to their house... even in the coldest weather.)

Probably the highlight of the night (for me) was Janelle's gift. It was her old iPod. I use it more than Joe does! Great gift Janelle! You know I heard Joe saying how much he wants a bread maker next year.

Sunsets and Sinus Headaches

So there I was, crumpled up in a ball in my recliner. Jay was asleep in his swing beside me. My house was trashed, my head was pounding, and my husband was at work on a Saturday night. I must have looked pretty pitiful. Somehow in the middle of my grief I managed to look up toward our living room window. It was glowing PINK! I hesitated for only a moment while thoughts of UFO's and house fires raced through my mind. Then realizing my good fortune, I popped out of my death chair, threw a trench coat on over my PJ's (just in case someone could see me from the road), and ran outside for a few moments of bliss.

(I didn't change the brightness or contrast on any of these photos.. this is honestly the real color of the sky!)

Isn't it amazing how the Lord teaches us gratitude in some of our weakest moments?

A Post For Amy

This post, as the title suggests, is for my sister, Amy. When Joey and I were in Utah for Thanksgiving, she was gracious enough to let us stay with her two extra days because Joe was sick. I love her lots and lots. Anyhow, while we were there I got to go to the park with her and her kids and shoot some pictures. Here's some of my favorites for you Amy. (In case you are wondering... Michael is totally fake.)

MICHAEL ZACH AND DANIEL

And this one's just for fun: These kids are so cute Amy! I love Daniel's face!