Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Day 30-The grand finalle

Day 30-Your favorite song

I'm going through my iTunes list in my head right now because I have never chosen a favorite song before. What will it be?


Our wedding song?

A church hymn?

A song I love to sing?

A favorite childhood song?

Something with soul, or rock and roll?


My brain hurts.



Here's a list of some of my faves, since I just can't seem to narrow it down to one without having my brain explode.

I'll be - by Edwin McCain

Hero - Mariah Carey

You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

Free Fallin' - John Mayer (or Tom Petty. Both versions are great!)

Crazy on You - Heart

I am a Child of God - LDS Hymn Book, Children's Song Book


These are just a few of my favorites. I'm sure I'll come up with 10 more when I am going to sleep tonight.
Music has always been a HUGE part of my life. I have an entire list of songs that I am emotionally attached to.



And with that, this blog challenge comes to a close.

Stay tuned for our next post, guaranteed to contain pictures of cute kids.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Day 29- What I have learned

Day 29-During this challenge, what have you learned?


I think this post goes hand in hand with the "How have you changed" post from day 28.
 
 
The more you learn the more you change.
 
The more you change the more you learn.
 
 
I have learned:
 
1. That I am not as creative in my writing as I once thought I was. (Sorry Mrs. Rider.)
 
2. I really, really, really love my family (But I already knew that.)
 
3. I need to be more adventurous.
 
4. My photography skills are improving!
 
5. I love blog comments! (thanks Melesa!)
 
6. I talk way too much about Cantaloupe Corner. I can't seem to stop myself. It's just so much fun! 
 
7. There are almost no pictures of me in the last few years. I must be camera shy.
 
8. 30 posts in 30 days is practically impossible.
 
9. I am terribly unorganized. And I'm working on it!
 
10. I am so happy I started this blog! I love looking back through the years and seeing what amazing changes
have happened. Some of these changes are so small and some are life changing!! It is fascinating to read back through and see what we were doing a year ago and how much we have grown.
 
11. Whoever invented blogging was a genius.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Day 28 - Then and Now

Day 28-A picture of you from last year and now.  How have you changed?




Last year (May 2010)
Taken at the AZ Rattler's game at US Airways Stadium.


Now (March 2011)
in our Backyard.

Some changes are blatently obvious.
I cut my hair.



 
oh, and I'm pregnant with our 3rd little boy.

So much has changed between then and now. I am still running my own business but I have learned so much more about who I am as a mom, wife, crafter, business owner, etc.
I sent Simon off to preschool for the first time and it was hard not to get teary eyed as I drove away. He's growing up too fast.

Ryan has grown from being a toddler to a little boy. *sigh*

I have grown too, more than just my expanding waistline. I feel like a better mom, a more confident woman, and I feel like everyday I am slowly becoming the person I really want to be.

We still live in the same house. Our days are pretty much the same as they were a year ago but I believe that with every year we learn a little more about ourselves; our talents, our weaknesses and strengths, our good and bad habits.

I have also learned that I am a lot like my mom, and even more like my dad.  :)

That's a lot to take in in just one year.
I hope this next year is just as fantastic!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Trains, strawberries, mischief, and rain.

With our train loving boys, you would have though we had seen all of the train stuff that the Valley of the Sun has to offer.
We went to a new park last week that I have heard about countless times and I can't believe it took us so long to get there! It really was as great as everyone said! It is called the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, AZ.

As we pulled into the parking lot I was surprised by how much the park looked like the real Grand Canyon Railway Station. You even go to a real station ticket counter to buy your tickets for their little train!

There is tons of stuff to see, like the enormous steam locomotive that greets you at the gate.


Then they have a train to ride on too! It is a scale model of a small diesel train engine with small cars. It even has a cattle car and a red caboose. The boys couldn't get enough of the train!  According to Simon we rode it 6 times! (really only 4, but who's counting?)
 Simon was nervous the first time riding it. He wasn't scared of the train, just the whistle. After I took this picture Ryan sat on my lap and covered his ears too.

There was also a great little museum with all kinds of unique train stuff.


 The museum included 2 full size passenger cars that we walked through, and Ryan tried out the comfy chairs.

When we were going in to the museum I was a sign that said it would cost 2 tickets for each adult to enter, kids are free. I asked the nice lady at the counter if I could buy the tickets from her and she looked around to see if anyone was listening and said, "Here, take these."
She handed me 10 tickets! She said a lady had given them to her as she was leaving the park and asked her to give them to someone who could use them.
What a way to make a fun day even better! I passed on the good karma by donating the money I was going to spend on tickets to the museum.

I'm adding the train park to our list of places we need to go often! My little engineers loved it!



The next day was Christmas, at least that's what it felt like. We got our new baby swing in the mail and I got my new 50mm camera lense! WOO HOO! 

I didn't get to try out my lense that day because just as Newton's law would predict, my camera battery was dead. :(
The next day I got to snap my first pictures with it! I am head-over-heels in love with this lense. *sigh*

 Simon picked out a strawberry plant to put in our backyard. Our garden isn't quite ready yet but we thought some strawberries in our planter would brighten up the yard.



 Cardboard boxes = hours of entertainment!

 Ryan is my sweet and michevious little boy. I actually get nervous when he is quiet because he is ALWAYS getting into something. This day it was straws. He wanted his dad to make him a "big straw" by putting 3 little ones together, end to end. He found his 3 straws and left the rest on the floor.

Rain is a great thing when you live in the desert. It only comes a few times a year so we make the most of it. The boys splashed in the puddles before we hopped in the car to go to the library. I didn't realize until we got back home that Simon's shoes are on the wrong feet. lol.

Ry guy and his orange shirts. He picked this one out himself.


Can't you tell I love my new camera lense? Here's Ryan posing like a pro in a too-big t-shirt. We were snapping some pictures for my shop. He makes the sweetest little model. I am so happy he's mine!

Now I think I am almost caught up with our lives. I still don't have any recent preggo pictures of me. Being the girl behind the camera has it's drawbacks. I'll post some when I finally get them! I better hurry, in 9 or 10 weeks little Mason will be here!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

We interrupt this challenge for an update.

We have been up to some fun stuff lately so I wanted to share a little.


I got my hands on a wheat grinder and learned how to make homemade fresh ground wheat for bread! I think I'm in love.

And we canned some yummy blackberry jam. To go with the homemade bread, of course.

 And while I've been working inside the house our weeds have been growing like. . . weeds. So me and the boys attacked the garden and said goodbye to the weeds! They were such good helpers and wow did they get dirty. I wish I would have snapped some "after" pictures.
 Some of the weeds were almost as tall as the boys. We had to dig about 18 inches underground to pull out all of the Bermuda grass roots. It was gruelling work for 2 little boys and a 7 months pregnant me but we got it done! Woo!

Me and da boys went to Greenfield park for the first time in about a year. It was all brand new to them.
Ryan showed off by climbing up the monkey bars!


Simon makes a good monkey too.

I snapped some shots of a new T-shirt I made for Ryan. I posted a tutorial on my Cantaloupe Corner blog if you want to make one too!



 Funny Simon. He got a new t-shirt too. Since he is such a train fanatic, we made him a Trainiac T-shirt. He wore it two days in a row. I had to hide it on the third day so he wouldn't wear it again. :)
 I sure love this kid!

And this one too! I love that the duck looks like it was colored with a sharpie. lol. 

The boys favorite part of the park was the "shaky shaky bridge". Ryan was so scared of the moving bridge at first but once he built up his courage we couldn't get him off of it! He found his new favorite playground game, running across the shaky shaky bridge.


What else have we been up to?

Simon is still loving preschool and we are currently trying to pick the "perfect" kindergarten for him. I can't believe he is that big already! It is bitter sweet. He has been working hard on his letters and numbers and can easily count to 100 now! He is also getting to be a good reader. He read me "Hop on Pop" last night. I'm such a proud mommy.

Ryan is as mischievous and fun as ever. We get to spend some time together while Simon is at preschool. He goes shopping with me or we will spend time reading books or coloring pictures. He has just discovered Simon's markers. No matter where I put them he finds them and he colors some part of himself, or his clothes, everyday.
His favorite color is orange and he insists that he wears and orange shirt everyday! We have even picked up some orange plaid shorts and orange sandals to match all of his orange shirts.

Our little Mason will be here in about 2 months. May 30th is the due date. We are hoping I can be induced early since our other boys were so big. The earliest the doctor will induce will be May 23rd.
Mason still doesn't have a middle name. I'm sure we won't pick it until the last minute because right now every time we start talking names we start throwing out random middle names like "Danger".

The boys are getting excited for their baby brother to arrive. Simon loves to feel him kick and Ryan is finally starting to understand that he gets to be a big brother soon.

I'm still running Cantaloupe Corner for a little while longer. My shop has been doing well and I am really enjoying it! But. . . pretty soon I have to close it down for a while. boo hoo. But I have more important motherly duties to attend to and I am sooooo excited to meet our sweet little boy. Being a mom is the best thing in the entire world!

Jeremiah is still working the daily grind at Farnsworth Wholesale. We love getting to spend some quality time with him on the weekends and he has been working hard trying to get our yard, and his sister's, back into shape.

That's all that's going on around here. We are having fun, staying busy, and enjoying life!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Day 27-Why am I doing this?

Day 27-Why you are doing this 30 day challenge



This challenge started out as a fun way to stay connected with my sisters and a way to kick myself in the pants and actually start blogging again. I obviously am not finishing this challenge in 30 days but I will finish this challenge!
I have learned so much about myself with each topic that comes up. I don't read them beforehand. I look at the topic right before I start blogging about it so that I can think of the first things that come to my mind. Sometimes it would have helped a lot to take a few days to prepare something more heartfelt or informative, but. . . oh well.  That's part of the fun.

I love how this challenge has helped me to think ouside the box and find new things to blog about rather than the typical "This is what my kids did today" posts.

I'm so thankful that Melesa, Aimee, and Heidi have all started this challenge! I am enjoying their blog posts and seeing how they interpret the daily challenge different than me.

I'm already at day 27! I'm almost done! Maybe I'll have to create a challenge of my own so I won't quit blogging. 
Maybe. . .

Day 26-What do you think about your friends

I think my friends are cool, talented, smart, clever, loving, and. . . friendly.



Then end.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Day 25 - Bag lady

Day 25-What I would find in your bag


 
They say you can tell a lot by a woman by the contents of her purse. If that's the case, then I am a mess! Yikes.
 
Ok, it's not that bad. I have one bag that I take everywhere with me, it's my purse/diaper bag.
 
 
 
What will you find inside on a typical day?
 
1. My eel skin coin purse. My grandma gave this to me and it makes a snazzy wallet. It holds my money (plastic and non-plastic), and reciepts. 
 
2. My Blackberry. It goes everywhere with me too.
 
3. Diapers and wipers.
 
4. Small snacks for hungry kids, and preggo me.
 
5.  Chap stick or lip gloss.
 
6. Camera.
 
7. Neosporin and bandaids. (for small emergencies)
 
8. Lotion.
 
9. Pen. For signing autographs.
 
10. Business Cards
 
11. Sippy Cups. A must have.
 
 
Sometimes I feel like Mary Poppins reaching into her carpet bag pulling out things that you wouldn't think would fit in there.  And there is still room for more!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Day 24 - To my little cherubs.

Day 24-A letter to your children




My dear little angels,

I have waited my whole life to feel the way that I felt the day both of you were born. Nothing in this life compares to the indescribable joy I feel every day when I look into your eyes and realize that God has trusted me to be your mother.

Simon, you are a brilliant, sweet, energetic, and kind-hearted boy. I fell in love with you the day you were born, when I saw you for the first time. I have enjoyed every day of the past 4 1/2 years as I have watched you learn and grow. You are becoming your own person and I am excited to see where life will take you!  I love that you are passionate about everything you do. You are fun, and silly, and care free!

Ryan, you are smart, determined, spirited, and loving. I love your hugs and kisses and I can't get enough of your sweet cuddles. You have a great sense of humor and I love hearing you tell jokes and sing songs with your brother and laugh all day long! Every day I am so greatful that Heavenly Father sent you to our family. You add so much life and love to our home!

Mason, I know you aren't here with us yet but I love you already. I am thrilled to see how much love and excitement you will bring with you as you join our growing family. And I am awed that God would be so giving to trust me with a third son! I have always dreamed about raising boys and now I get to raise 3! I will do everything I can to raise you in righteousness and to give you a good life, full of love.

I love you boys more than anything in the world! Life wouldn't be complete without the joy I have from being with you. I want to be a good mother for all of you, and a good wife to your dad. I will always do everything in my power to give you the best life possible.

As you grow up, I'm sure that I will make mistakes. I am not a perfect mom but I will always love you and I will always do what I feel is best for you.
Always remember that you are children of a God who loves you. Be grateful for the things in your life that make you happy.

I am eternally grateful for you.
Love,
mom

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Day 23- I crave

Day 23-Something you crave for a lot


The first thing that comes to mind is chocolate,
and fruit. 
 
I'm pregnant so I crave different foods every day. Today's cravings were green grapes, lemons, salad, and ice.
Yes, ice. I crush it up in my amazing Ninja blender until it looks like snow. mmm.
 
 
 
I also crave attention,
 
and love,
 
and sunshine,
 
and success,
 
and chocolate.
 

Friday, March 4, 2011

Day 22 - Different

Day 22-What makes you different from everyone else



You spend your whole childhood trying to fit in and be like everyone else. Then when you are grown up the world expects you to be unique. Make up your minds people!

Ok, but seriously, I am just a normal girl, living a semi-normal life.
But there really is no such thing as normal.

So,
I am different from the rest of the world because:

1. I have waaay to much ambition when it comes to taking on projects. (Which is why most of them never get finished.)
2. I don't have the ability to relax. And when I do it is usually long enough to take a shower or eat some oreos and milk, then I'm back to my projects or whatever else needs to be done.
3. I am Simon and Ryan's mommy!  And I'm Jeremiah's wife!
4. I'm an ink-free screenprinter.
5. I love being able to make things from scratch. Whether it is making bread, sewing a dress, or gardening. I'm not always good at it but it is fun to try.
6. I play the piano.
7. I have big, curly hair.
8. I really love my in-laws.
9. I don't have a middle name. My parents named all of their girls without middle names so that when we got married Udall would become our middle name. Then I married a Hall. I wasn't excited to be Jenifer U. Hall, so I opted out of taking on a middle name.
10. I'm a hopeless optimist. I believe that there is a positive side to just about everything, but sometimes you have to dig to find it. Sometimes this trait gets me in trouble because I never expect anything bad to happen.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Day 21 - What makes me smile?

Day 21-A picture of something that makes you happy




Sunny day picnics in the park.

 Baby #3 
Finished orders, ready to ship.

Paint!


Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Day 20 - My other half

Day 20-Something interesting about your spouse

Jeremiah's your average guy. He likes cars, Vanilla Coke, and video games.

That's about it.



haha, just kidding. I know you  better than that Jabers.


First of all, Jeremiah is the youngest of 6 kids, and the only boy! He was raised by a bunch of girls (poor guy).  But all that drama he went through as a child has made him an incredible, understanding husband.

Jeremiah also has very intersting hobbies. He loves remote control cars! I had seen the cheap RC cars that my brothers always got for Christmas (and destroyed a week later) but I never knew that there was a whole world of RC Car hobbiests. After we got married he even got me my own electric car to drive. I haven't driven it much though because I'm too scared I'll break it. Those babies aren't cheap.

He has also been working on restoring a real car, an old VW Baja Bug. He still has a long way to go on it but he works on it whenever time and money allow. He even gets Simon out there to help him "fix the bug".

Jeremiah also enjoys learning about survival and being prepared in case of emergencies.  We have been told so much in our church to get our year supply of food and be prepared for what ever may come. Jeremiah enjoys researching about how he can help protect and care for our family, in case a natural disaster or anything else might happen.  There is so much to learn, so many situations that we need to be prepared for. I'm so happy I have him with me. . . just in case.

Another intersting fact about Jeremiah that you might not know is that he is extremely clever and he can make up a song about anything. yes, anything! Our life is a musical. I've even tapped into his clever wit and gotten some really good t-shirt ideas out of him for my shop. Tough Cookie was his idea. Clever, eh?

Yep, he's awesome, and he's mine!  I love you Jeremiah!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Day 19 - What do they call me?

Day 19-Nicknames you have and why you have them



Jeni - what my family calls me. When my parents named me Jenifer they intended on my going by Jeni. I usually go by Jenifer but my family will always call me Jeni and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Jen - what most of my friends call me

Jenny Penny - because not that many words rhyme with Jeni. Melesa calls me this one the most.

Pumpkin - My nickname from my dad when I was a little girl.

I have also been given names because of how big/fluffy my hair is was: Mush-head (for my mushroom shaped hair in middle school, courtesy of Chubbz), Jeni-fluff, Jeni-furry-head, goldie locks, Curly.

I was nicknamed Topanga in high school and college because my friends thought I looked like the Boy Meets World actress.

refinej : Jenifer spelled backwards. This one was given to me by my best friend in high school, Tyson.

After his mission, Jeremiah would call me "gooby" because it means lips in Russian. lol.

Si and Ry

Si and Ry