Cache is turning 2!

Cache is turning two in exactly a week- December 15th! I can't believe my baby's a toddler!!! He LOVES playing with his little race cars lately, so we are throwing him a little car-racing birthday party with his cousins this friday. I am attempting to make a race track cake... wish me good luck! I'll post pictures of the event :)

There's a mouse in our house!

Cache is not only the spitting image of his daddy but also has his identical personality. But, there is at least ONE thing he has in common with his mommy... we both LOVE cheese!

*****

Lately it's been more than 2-3 times a day that I find him having gotten in the fridge with the entire block of cheese in hand- stuffing the whole thing in his mouth to eat as much of it as he can before I "catch him." When he sees me coming, in panic his bites get bigger and faster- it's so funny! I have been trying to teach him that if he'll just bring it to me, I will cut him a piece so that we don't have a bunch of bite marks all throughout the entire block.

*****

He's been doing better and lately he'll bring the whole block saying, "pease, pease" (please). It's always the first thing he gets in the morning, and is a reoccuring event all throughout the day. He's ALWAYS in the fridge- even as I write this post I see him here in the kitchen with the fridge door open. And cheese is always the first item to be pulled out. :)

*****

I can't blame him for loving cheese so much... I do too! I remember being a little girl and asking my dad to cut me less than PAPER THIN slices of cheddar cheese- paper thin tastes the best for some reason :)

*****

So, although it might drive me crazy that we constantly have bite marks in the cheese, at the same time I just smile knowing that my buggy and I have the same great love for it! I love you my little mousey!

Bowling at Fat Cats with Grandma, Cousins & Friends...

A special blessing...

Because I have been sick, Alex and Jeff gave me a blessing on Sunday. It was my little brother's first time assisting in a priesthood blessing. I felt so special that I was the first to benefit! :)

Before the blessing, Alex taught Jeff the order to say things in consecrating the oil for the healing of the sick. After the blessing Alex and Jeff went into the kitchen. There with just the two of them I heard Alex reiterate all the steps to Jeff to help him remember. It was so sweet to hear him teaching my brother. One of my favorite things Alex said to him was, "As you are about to give someone a blessing, take a moment and say a little prayer in your heart that you can know what Heavenly Father would want you to say." What a wonderful teacher and example my husband is. I'm so grateful for him.

Jeff has such a tender and huge spirit. It was such a special experience to have my baby brother assist me in such a special and spiritual way.

Since we're on the topic of Jeff, and I haven't gotten around to posting about it yet... just a couple weeks ago he got his call to serve a mission in the California, San Diego Mission! We are all so excited and proud... and he leaves this January. Thanks for being such a good example to me Jeffer! I'm so grateful for you. I love you buddy!

So, I have a little time on my hands...

Over the weekend I wasn't feeling too hot! It all started Friday when I had a little tickle in my throat. The next day it developed into a cough, and by Saturday night I was beginning to lose my voice.

Sunday morning I was feeling ok so I went to church. That probably wasn't the best decision, and I am the type who thinks you SHOULD stay home from church if you're sick for the sake of others. I really thought I was ok, so I will feel horrible if someone gets sick because of me.

Toward the end of church I actually felt it coming on a little more. You know those muscle aches and pains when your body is about to get sick? I was feeling them in my neck and shoulders. I asked Alex if he'd help me get home and get Cache down for his nap before he went back to do his calling (FYI he just got called to Executive Secretary).

Once home I checked my temperature- 99.5 - not too high of a fever, but within 20 minutes it went over 100 - still not sky high but I really wasn't feeling too good.

Later that day while Cache was taking his nap, Heidi and Jeff came over to bring me food my mom had sent with them and to help out around the house- what awesome siblings I have! Later Jeff and Alex gave me a blessing. It was so special so I'll post about that separately.

Monday I wasn't feeling much better yet. My sisters, Mel and Cam, both brought me food throughout the day sent from my mom and from Arby's, and Mel ran a couple errands for me. My mother-in-law, Bonny, watched Cache so I could rest all day. The head pressure congestion had developed and I felt it in my sinuses. Since I was still feeling so yucky, I went to the doctor. I was tested positive for the flu... lucky me!

I didn't take the test that distinguished which type of flu, and that is because the test is $300! The doctor said that he would provide me with the same meds and remedies, no matter what kind of flu it was, so the only reason for taking the test was just to know the name of it-- not worth it to our wallets! I'm grateful he advised us against wasting our money. He did say though that he did not think it was the swine flu, because most of those with the swine flu usually have a much higher fever.

I cancelled all my nail appointments for the week so I don't pass this thing around- it's a miserable little bug! So, now I have a little time on my hands to rest up... much needed!

Today Bonny made us breakfast, Cam brought me some soup, and my dad brought me a health drink and his famous zinc vitamins! It was wonderful to visit with my dad for a bit. I really needed his company, and he gave me a beautiful father's blessing for comfort. I love talking to my dad. He really lifted my spirits today.

Thanks to mine and Alex's families that have stepped in to help so much with watching Cache, blessings, and bringing us food and everything else- all the service is so greatly appreciated! Thank you all!

Finally...Pictures of Alex's Birthday! (I got them up before the end of the month...YEAH!)

Ha ha, read into it how you like :) ... my gift to Alex:

We went over to my mom's to drop Cachey off for the night. My mom and I (and Alex) sang Happy Birthday...

My dad gave Alex tickets to the TCU game, so these chairs will come in handy. Thanks for the gifts mom and dad... I think both were Alex's favorite!

This special day is not only one for Alex, but for his mom as well! They share the same birthday so we decided to head up to Salt Lake to celebrate...







Once we got home we sang Happy Birthday and had "Better Than Sex Cake." I don't know why "they" have to call it that, but again, read into how you like... :)

Happy Birthday Sweetie! I hope you had a wonderful day! I love you so much and am so grateful to be your wife!

I got a calling...

Just got called into Relief Society Presidency. 2nd Counselor. Excited. Super nervous. Had first meeting last night. Feel a little overwhelmed and under-experienced. Love the presidency. Can't wait to get working with them. Know I'll be busy. Look forward to getting to know the ladies in the ward more in depth. Pray I can still be a good mom and wife. Pray to do my best. Hope to keep up my blogging :)

Happy Birthday Alex!

Happy Birthday to my Sweetheart last week September 10th! It's Birthday #26!!! Pictures of the day soon to be posted...

The Fireplace Won...

A couple weeks ago when Alex took me over night for my birthday Cachey stayed at my mom's. Cache always loves going over to his 'Mama J's' and my mom is a wonderful grandma! While he was there, sadly he did have a little crash. He got in a fight with the fireplace, and as you can see... the fireplace won!

My mom went to go throw out a dirty diaper, and my sister Heidi stayed in the room with him and she saw it all happen. She said that as she saw him trip she was just too many feet away to catch his fall. Of course he cried good and hard for a couple minutes, and my mom said Heidi cried too because she felt so guilty she didn't get to him in time. Obviously it was something no one could avoid... poor little guy :(


Heidi told me he quickly stopped crying when she gave him some chocolate and cuddle him on the lovesac while they watched a movie. Of course! Chocolate and a movie = the ultimate cure!

Alex and I got there about an hour or so after the fall, and I found him and Heidi (in a swim suit) splashing and playing in my mom's big jacuzzi tub. If it weren't for the big bonks on his head, I never would have guessed it even happened. He seemed as happy as ever being his playful self. My little heart hurt when I first saw him. And although I was nervous to take him to church the next day; thinking every one would think I beat my child; the owies healed really fast! Both my mom and Heidi felt so bad. Mom, I still think you are an amazing grandma, and Cachey still loves to come over to Mama J's. And Heid, you're still his best play mate and buddy. I know it was just an unfortunate event in the typical life of a child. I sure do love you Buggy, and I hate to see you ever hurt, but I'm glad the owies went away fast! You're a pretty tough guy!

New blog for the bizz...

Hey Everyone! I just started a new blog for my nails! Check it out and you can see the ONCE IN A LIFETIME special I have going on in September! Along with the great deal, I aslo started posting some of my work. I'm still working on the blog, so forgive me for not having it all officialized yet. Is 'officialized' a word? (That's what I get for not going to college for so long and going to nail school instead.) I still have more fun pics and info to come... hope you like it. Let me know what ya think! :)

http://ajnails.blogspot.com/

Need enrichment ideas?

Hey! Are you needing to plan an enrichment activity? My mom has an enrichment crafts business, and she just started up a blog for it. Check it out! It has a ton of great ideas, and at GOOD prices too! http://enrichmentcrafts.blogspot.com

Birthday #24!

First thing in the morning: I took a shower and Alex came in singing happy birthday with a glass of apple juice and a lit match for me to blow out. Simple and sweet- and I loved it! Thanks baby! Cache woke up while I was doing my hair, so Alex got him out of bed. He came waddlin' into the bathroom in his jammies, eyes half-shut, holding this in his hands reaching up for me... a perfect way to start the day!

Inside the card was this...


I LOVE Noodles & Co! Thanks Cacher Buggy (& Alex :))!



My mom took me to IHOP for breakfast while Alex was in class. She said she'd take care of Cache so I could enjoy my food. Cache was in a throwing mood that day and chucked EVERYTHING in sight (food, forks, toys etc.). He's been in the chucking mood ever since (and I don't know how to stop it)! Thanks for taking care of him mom, and thank you for taking me out for breakfast! Love you!



Some of Meli's (and my) friends came to celebrate...




Thanks for coming everyone!



Later that day my cute dad took me to lunch... He got us all peach shakes and they were SOOO GOOD! It had chunks of fresh peach in it and was D-licious! Thanks dad! I'm glad I got to spend some time with you on my special day!





My grandma came and I'm so glad she did because I don't get to see her much so it was a treat to get to on my birthday...

My family members are my BEST FRIENDS...



Later that afternoon Alex took me up to Salt Lake...

While we waited for our dinner reservation, we just so happened to bring my favorite game along so we played it in the car. Alex beat me, of course! He has been on a winning streak lately and it's driving me CRAZY! And for any of you who have played this game with us, you know he NEVER does this, but he actually played "easy on me." He never does that! I think he was just trying to be nice since it WAS my birthday. He still won though, the little stink! This is the one game I get super competitive and both Alex and I are addicted! If you haven't played Five Crowns, you're missing out...

It's tradition when we go up to Salt Lake...


We love this place! We shared a full rack of ribs, and I even got to ride the birthday saddle... oh yeah!




It was a super chill day, I saw lots of people that I didn't know I was going to get to see (which was such a treat), and I absolutely loved every minute! Thanks everybody! :)

Splish Splash...

I know this might be a little graphic with Cachey's naked little pee-pee (so don't watch if it might offend you to see his little bod), but he's only ONE and I just think he's so dang cute in the tubby... I just love this little guy! Rub-a-dub-dub!

The heart monitor

Don't be alarmed... but back in December I passed out and my heart and breathing slowed down so much that I required CPR, so in June when I came to visit in Utah I had some heart tests done...

This is a heart (holtor) monitor that I wore for 24 hours that checked every single beat of my heart...
Along with the monitor I also had an echo done (ultrasound of the heart).
Everything looked really good to the doctors, so they told me to continue to live my life! YEAH! See, I told you not to be alarmed! :)

Father's Day in June...

I know Father's Day was way back in June, but I had to post about it to tell my sweet husband what a wonderful father he is! You're the best daddy in the world, honey! Sorry it took so long for me to post this!

Breakfast in bed...
Cachey's card to his dad...

The cookies Cache and I made the day before (these are Alex's FAVORITE)...

OOOOoooo, YUM!

The Father's Day tie I gave Alex the morning of...
Opening presents after church...

Peek-a-boo, I love you!

Cache reading the card to his dad...

Hope all you fathers out there (Dad-Randy, Dad-Bruce, Keith, and grandpas) had a GREAT Father's Day this year! We love you all!

Speaking of hornets...

Speaking of hornets from my last post... My dad got stung by a hornet on his cheek a few weeks back, and I guess his whole face swelled right up! I saw him a few days after, and he still looked a little swollen, but he said that just the day before he looked like the 'Elephant Man'... sad! And then just a couple days later...

... Jeff got stung by a bee IN his THROAT! His throat got all swollen inside to the point that he'd gag when he'd try to talk. It was really swollen for a few days, and when he went to church on Sunday he didn't want to be asked why he wasn't talking much, so here was his way of letting people know what was up:
That was his name tag for the day!

...And this was the notepad he kept in his pocket to show anyone who asked. What a creative little bro I have! His throat is totally fine now, but the other day I asked him if he wanted to go on a bike ride up the canyon, and he refused to go. I told him that the odds of having a bee fly into his mouth again are probably pretty unlikely, but then again, I got stung by a bee on my TONGUE at girls camp one year... what are the odds that we both would have bee experiences in the mouth? Ouch! Do you have any crazy bee stories?

Alex is coming home, Cache learned something new, and I am grateful for hornets...

Ok, so I have pictures to post, but they are on my computer in North Carolina, and I am here in Utah, so... I'll post them later. :) Yes, Cache and I are in Utah, and my husband whom I miss so very much is still back in Charlotte selling security. But, good news is- he is coming back tomorrow! Well, he LEAVES tomorrow. He's driving across the country, so he won't actually be here until probably the weekend. But still, he is coming, and I am SOOOO excited to see him. Since our original plan was that Alex would be getting here in just enough time to jump back into a busy school schedule, Cache and I came back early so we could get things settled by moving into our apartment, and so that I could get started up on nails again... So if any of you are interested, I'm home now and am taking appointments...give me a call! :) I've survived here without Alex, but, I MISS HIM, and can't WAIT until he's home. He actually is coming home a little earlier than planned too (he wasn't supposed to be back til the end of August), but because he got a job offer back here in Utah, the plan has changed, and he is coming home to get trained. What a relief that he got a job for during the school year! We are so very lucky and blessed. And another plus is that he'll be here soon...yeah!

So, lately Cache has learned a few new things:

He learned to say car and basketball- "caus" and "ba-ball." This kid is ALREADY ADDICTED to basketball. Not even every ball, but also every basketball HOOP! My mom has a hoop around the side of her house, and the other day when we drove up, he hopped out of the car and headed straight to the side of the house. I followed him and there he stood, under the hoop, pointing saying, "ba-ball momma." He remembered seeing it there before- what a keen memory he has, it's amazing!

He loves to wash his hands- with soap, I might add, after every meal (or snack), and while he's at it, he'll tilt his head down toward the faucet to sip a big gulp. I don't know where he learned it, but he likes to drink from the faucet. After the washing, the sipping and the gulping, he'll then dry his hands off on a towel and pretend to blow his nose (I've had a cold lately and tissue is my best friend- he's been watching me, and it's so true; kids learn by example). What a cute kid he is!

He learned to fold his arms during prayer this last week. Every night before bed, our routine goes as follows; change diaper, get in jammies, take vitamins, brush teeth, get his binki and blanket, go into his room, shut the door and kneel down. I'll place him on his knees and fold one of his arms over the other, and ask, "Can you fold your arms, Cachey," as I fold my own. He'll hop up and walk around the room while I kneel there and say our prayers. I'll then cuddle him as I sing half of the first verse of, "I Am a Child of God." I then lay him down and tell him, "I love you Buggy, goodnight." Same routine- every night. But, night after night as I help him kneel and fold his arms, he would continue to hop up and walk around while I prayed... But, just like when he learned to say "WOO WOO," learning to fold his arms had to be on his OWN terms. I didn't even prompt him to do it, he did it on his own. One morning while reading scriptures as a family, Alex was on speaker phone reading a few verses and I guess Cache thought dadda was praying, so he folded his arms and with a grin on his face, squinted his eyes half-shut. I knew exactly what he was doing. Over the phone, I stopped Alex from reading, and with excitement said, "Alex he's folding his arms... he thinks you're praying!" We clapped our hands and said "Yeah Cachey- good boy!" He LOVES praise, so after that, he kept folding his arms to get us to cheer for him. Alex was bummed that he wasn't there to SEE it, but he was THERE, just over the phone, darnit! After scriptures, we then said a prayer over the phone as a family and again he folded his arms and squinted his eyes. It's still hard for him to keep them folded through the WHOLE prayer, but he's got the idea down, and I'm so proud. And the more I praise him through each prayer, the more he LOVES to continue to do it. Look how young a child can be when they learn how to pray! Isn't it great! Cache (I would imagine like most other children) learns best by repetition, and when he's ready, he'll take action and catch us by surprise. What's the next new trick up your sleeve Cacher-Bug!?!

Yesterday Cache sat in my lap THE WHOLE TIME while I read him the book, "Corduroy." He loves reading, but his attention span is usually about 15-20 seconds, and then he's DONE! But, while I read to him one of MY favorite childhood books, he sat there and enjoyed every minute! I was impressed, not to mention, quite proud, since it WAS one my favorite stories when I was a little girl. :)

He loves to "un-lock" the front door. Each time we return home he wants the keys, and as he fiddles them against the door-knob I help him to find the right key, we put it in, and I help him to turn it. He always seems so proud of himself each time, like, "Hey, I just opened the door, I am so cool!" I love watching him learn and be proud of himself!

Cache misses his daddy. Yesterday at church, mom was NOT the cool one to play legos with, read the "Baby Jesus" book with, or to sit with. The husband of the couple sitting closest by was his new best friend. He sat on the guys lap even after sacrament ended. It's hard enough to get a child to sit through all of sacrament, let-alone want to stay sitting once it's over. I was grateful the young guy played legos with Cache throughout the meeting (Is that bad? He didn't really get to listen to the talks too well...oops). But, Cache needed it, and I was grateful the kind husband welcomed Cache into his arms. He needed that male attention that he has missed so very much from his dad. Alex is excited to come home so that he can play with his little buddy. It's been especially hard on Alex to be away, and I know that it's those daddy-strings that are tugging at his heart. Soon enough my boys... Cache and daddy, you will be re-united THIS WEEK! YEAH!

The things Cache is deciding to HATE lately: His carseat (can't even get him in it sometimes), his stroller (nope, don't like that one either). So how do I go anywhere or do anything? That's a good question! He also HATES his bib. And I even bought 2 new baby bjorn ones that I had to order online from target cuz they don't sell them in any stores and they are the easiest to keep clean. Yeah, all his clothes are getting destroyed, even after I charged the card to get the best bibs out there! AHHH, kinda frustrating... Oh well, it's life with a 20-month-old who makes up his own mind.

Lately Cache likes to put ALL his food in his milk each meal and then drink it all down... gross, I know. But hey, it all gets eaten, and that's all that matters for now, right?

So, I ended on kind of a gross note, but that's because it's funny. We need to learn to laugh at life, it's troubles, and at the things that might disappoint us, or even gross us out. In church yesterday, someone said in their talk something to the affect, "We need to laugh at life's inconveniences and be grateful for them." He told of a story when he was a window-washer and how he had to clean a window where a hornets nest had developed. He was in shorts and a t-shirt- like always when washing windows, and realized that he'd probably get some good stings if he attempted to do it in that attire. So kind of frustrated, he went home, got on a pair of jeans, a winter coat that wrapped up to cover his neck, and gloves, and went back out into the hot sun to clean the window. As he washed it, he realized how ridiculous he must have looked up there in his winter-attire washing a window mid-day in the hot sun. He began to laugh, and at the same moment, he too realized how convenient it was that he was wearing long jeans. Because of the extra clothing material, he could then use his pants as a towel to wring out the squeegy on the window brush. Right then and there he felt a sense of gratitude and said, "I'm grateful for hornets." Ever since then he wears jeans when he goes to wash windows. We can actually benefit from trials, struggles, frustrations, and calamities. They are a part of life to teach us the lessons we must learn. There is ALWAYS SOMETHING to be learned from all our circumstances; the good, the bad, and sometimes the most frustrating or even life-changing. I hope I can do better at being thankful through my difficulties and recognize maybe what lessons I WOULDN'T have learned had it not been for them. I LOVE MY LIFE- even the "hornets" that are in it!

"What does a doggy say?"

One of Cache's favorite books is, "Touch and Feel Puppy and Kitten." It's a "texture" book, so it has things like; a doggy with fur that you can pet, a kitty with a scratchy tongue, a soft slipper that a dog is chewing on, and a bouncy rubber ball. It's a fun one for teaching about textures. Everytime I read it to him, I try to also teach him about animal sounds. I point at EVERY dog and at EVERY cat throughout the whole book and say, "What does a doggy say?" or "What does a kitty say?" And then I make the sounds, "WOOF WOOF" or "Meeeooow." He smiles when I make the sounds, but never attempts to respond back. Last Tuesday he and I sat on the couch to read the book together. And before we even got into reading it, Cache opened it up, pointed at one of the dogs, and said, "WOO WOO," which is, "WOOF WOOF," in his little baby talk. I just about died! I didn't even have to ask him what it said... he just knew! I thought maybe it was an accident, so I asked him once again, for probably the thousandth time, "Cachey, what does a doggy say?" And there he responded once more, "WOO WOO!" My heart melted... that's his first animal sound! He's such a smart boy! There is nothing more gratifying than to see your child learn something new. I'm such a proud mommy...

We live close to the "dog run" at our apartment, so Cache is now constantly going to the back porch door and looking out the glass for doggies. Everytime he sees or hears one he says, "WOO WOO!" He also says it everytime we drive past the "dog run" as we're heading to our apartment. "WOO WOO" is our new favorite discovery! He searches for dogs everywhere now. If I even mention the word 'dog' I hear him in the background, "WOO WOO!" I absolutely love it! He hasn't quite caught onto the kitty sound (maybe because we never really see any around here). He'll get it... and on that day, I'll be just as proud!

Peek-A-Boo Video

Cache has known peek-a-boo for awhile. He was probably almost one when he first learned it, and he'd do the usual "cover your eyes with your hands" method. But, now he likes to hide behind things and come popping out! I got it on camera... I love that you can still see his little eyes peeking over the table when he's "hiding" behind it. Isn't he such a nut? What a spaz!

Happy 4th...

Hey! Sorry it took me awhile to post about the 4th... it was the day before Cache went into the hospital, so I got a little side-tracked with all that craziness. So, here's how we celebrated:

I did my best to show off my patriotism... :)
This year's 4th was spent in Greenville. Although we, once again, missed all the fun Utah festivities, it was a really fun day! Alex worked the first half of the day, and once he got home, a group of us went out to Five Guys for dinner. We decided not to do our own BBQ, because we were moving to Charlotte the next day, and had cleared our fridge as best as we could so we didn't have to try and pack a bunch of food for the move. So Five Guys was our home-cooked grillin'. And it was GREAT! After dinner we went to the pool...

Later we went to Downtown Greenville for the fireworks!
The fireworks show was at The Falls down in Greenville. The seating for it was pretty unique!
And the show began...
The Finale was probably one of the best I had ever seen!

We ended the night by going back to our cars and eating a fun festive treat!

It was a very laid-back day. Not a lot of planning, but a sure lot of fun! Hope your 4th was just as great!