Merry Christmas

It all started about a year ago when I came home to find my wife experiencing small waves of cramping pains. She had gained a significant amount of weight over the last several months (despite my constant protests and reminders), and I had frankly become concerned. As the pain increased in severity and in frequency, I decided the most prudent thing to do would be to take her to the hospital. Imagine my surprise the next day to find the hospital decided to just give us a new little baby boy. I was hesitant to accept the kid at first, cause everyone knows how hard a baby is. You hafta feed it every week and let it outside when it cries, but I remembered how good I felt that time I helped the African prince retrieve his millions simply by giving my bank account information to those nice email people. Then, I knew helping this little baby would be worth it.

Jolynn seemed to have a hard time with it, of course, cause she’s not real smart with that kind of stuff. It seemed like everytime that little baby goo-goo’ed or laughed she would just start crying. I thought it was kinda cute, but it would just bum her out. Also, she’s kind of a bully to the little guy. Whenever he pulls out all the tupperware and all of her perfumes and makes a big mess, she just points and laughs at it.

All in all, though, we’ve done such a great job with that baby that it has just kept growing and growing. It walks all around the house now, and we don’t even have to give it anymore food each week – it just goes right out to the porch and eats up all the rocks and dirt that we used to sweep off. The cat shares food with it as well, so that’s another bonus.

Actually, to be quite honest, this year might have been pretty rough. We lost a brother to cancer a few months ago, as well as a friend to the same just a few weeks ago. A noble Grandfather’s life became a legacy to hard work and a testament to the truth of eternal families when he also passed away recently. But I’m healthy, Jolynn is happy, and Grant is our joy.

And inspite of all that might have made this year sad, we are full of Christmas cheer. Which is why, your Honor, I insist on wishing you a Merry Merry Christmas!

Reflection...

Today I attended a funeral of a friend from work that was taken from this earth way to early. As I reflected on the principles that were taught at the funeral I can't help to reflect on the passing of my brother, Darin, earlier this year.

Susan and Darin had a lot in common. They both were both diagnosed with types of cancer that some one their age should never get. Darin was diagnosed with lung cancer June 2007 and passed away March 2008 at the age of 30. Susan was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2008 and passed away last week at the age of 25.

As I attended Susan service today I had to a chance to reflect on the life of my dear brother. He was such a great example to me and the rest of my family.

I have so many great memories of Darin. Since he was just older that me we spent a lot of time together. Darin was the brother that taught me to hit properly. Of course I think he regretted it after because I constantly used him as a punching bag. When ever I got stuck on a math problem Darin was the person to ask for help. So reason he always knew the answer. Darin also like tell me about all the trivial knowledge that he knew that I thought was pretty useless.

I was able to spend several weeks with Darin before his passing. Those times are the times that I will cherish for the rest of my life. As I talked to Darin about his life and his future I was so grateful to feel his peace as he knew that he would soon return to live with our Heavenly Father. I am grateful for those special moments that we shared and the advice that he gave me. He knew that this was the plan that he had chosen from the beginning and that there were other plans for him in the after world. One of those days that I spent with Darin he said to me, "Jolynn, I am ready to go home. I don't want to be here anymore" At the time I thought that he was just giving up but now I know that his mission was complete and that he was no longer needed in this world. I knew there was a bigger plan for him on the other side and that his work would continue in the after life.

Darin, I miss you and love you. I cherish every memory that we had together. Thanks for being such a great big brother.

Family Pictures

We had family pictures a couple of weeks ago and here are a few of the pictures that we loved.

I love this picture of Grant. He was checking out the grass.

This is Grant trying to walk. Of couse now he is the ultimate walker.

Family Time

Grant hanging out with his cousin Spencer that is 4 months older. We wanted to see who was bigger. Of course Spencer wins.

Grant with Grandad.

Thanksgiving day with Grant, Jolynn, Sophie, and Taylor

10 Months ... where has time gone

Grant was officially 10 months old yesterday. I can’t believe how big he is getting.

Grant loves…

to SMILE. Every time you walk into a room Grant will pretty much greet you with a smile. I love it.

CHURCH. Yes, that is right Grant loves church. He loves to stand on the bench and watch everybody behind him. He loves to make everybody laugh and I think he captures everybody’s attention that is within site.

to BE INDEPENENT. Is he too young for this? When he is on a mission there is no distracting him and no helping him.

to READ. I try to read to Grant everyday. He knows that there are books on his shelf above his crib. Every time he sees me start to grab them he gets so excited and starts waving his arms up and down.

to WALK. We have a walker, watch out. He has been attempting to walk for about 6 weeks now (ever since he learned he could stand on his own), but he has really taken off in the last week.

his BATH. He loves everything about taking a bath.




to EXPLORE. When the door opens Grant is on his way out. He opens all the cupboards and sometimes even climbs in. He has also gotten stuck under the bed before.

to PLAY WITH DAD. He absolutely loves Mike and often uses Mike to be his personal jungle gym.

Grant is starting to learn the presence of people in the room. He now notices when Mike and I walk out of the room. Of course he doesn’t like when we do leave the room and often times he comes following after us crying. But of course we still love him and wouldn’t trade him for the world.

Voter Education Required?

Yes, I did vote today. I was in and out in about 30 minutes, not too bad. As the election was approaching I tried to do my best to educate myself about the various candidates and propositions. Many of these votes will determine the outcome for the next several years if not longer. I felt like it was my duty to be informed. I hope that everybody else in America was well informed about their decision and did their research before they cast their vote. However, I feel that is not the case.

I think many people rely on news media and commercials to determine their vote. Don't get me wrong they both are pretty good resources but each has their bias views. I tried to view each side of the media; in the morning before work I try to watch Fox News and MSNBC so that I get a balance of conservative and liberal views. It has been interesting to view each news stations spin on various items.

As many of you know AZ had a proposition to add an amendment to the AZ Constitution to define marriage. There has been many commercials flooding the air ways about both sides of this decision. As watching these commercials and what the opposing side was stating in their commercial I was appalled by the flat out lies and the misleadings. If voters aren't informed how do they know that the commercials are misleading.

If you plan to vote please be educated about your decision no matter what side of the fence you fall.

Halloween...

Grant's first Halloween.

He loved every minute of it, but he did keep trying to pull off his hood.

The family at Trunk or Treat.

Our little Dragon.

We attended Trunk or Treat at our church. It was great. Grant really enjoyed watching the kids come and play our ball toss game. Mike made a ghost and a pumpkin for the kids to toss balls at. By the time we got home Grant was exhausted and happy to be put in his bed.

Going to the Fair

Today was a day that we got to spend time together as a family. It was great. We were going to go to the Zoo, but decided that we should go to the State Fair.

It has been years since I have been to a state fair. Well of course it hasn't changed much over the years because it is still a rip off.

Grant had a blast. He got to pet some goats and even had the goat eat his foot.

Grant even got to ride on the Farris wheel with Mike.


And even got too see lots of animals at the petting zoo.

A lot of the fair rides had music blaring so Grant loved it. He would be dancing in his stroller as we pushed him past. We had one lady scream and point at Grant saying, "LOOK HOW HAPPY THAT BABY IS, HE'S DANCING, THAT'S FUNNY." Well of course we think that it actually scared Grant because it scared me and Mike.

Grant was exhausted by the time we got to the car. Of course he was so wound up by then and he didn't fall asleep until we were all the way home. (Which reminds me I need to wake him up so he will go to sleep tonight.)

Grant is 9 months old ...

Grant is officially 9 months old. WOW, where has the time gone. Mike took him to the doctor yesterday.

Grant's Stats

Weight: 23 lbs 10 oz 90%

Height: 29 1/4" 80%

He just keeps getting bigger and bigger. But it looks like he has tapered off a little.

Swinging Time

Can I just tell you that my husband it such a great Dad. He just loves taking care of Grant.

Since I am still working Mike is taking care of Grant 3 days a week. You never know what they are going to do throughout the day. Mike is great at sending me pictures of what they have been up to during the day. It really makes my day when I get an email from Mike with a picture attached. (Thank goodness for Blackberry's so that he can send pics wherever he is).

We have had such great weather the last few days. Mike has been wanting to take Grant hiking or to do something outside. Well the picture I got today looks like they finally got to do an activity outside. Mike and Grant made it to the park. Hopefully Grant is having fun swinging and going down the slide.

Jewelry Boutique

I am doing a Boutique the beginning of November. It should be really good because there is going to be about 40 vendors. Please come if you can.

The Tattered Trunk Boutique

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

9 am - 4 pm

One Day event!

Located at DWHI (a charter school) in Tempe, AZ

SE corner of McClintock & Elliot in Tempe

(Next to Tempe Cinemas)

Home Decor - Crafts - Baby Products -

Clothes - Accessories - and More!

Don't miss this chance to find one-of-a-kind

products for the holiday season!

Check out http://tatteredtrunk.blogspot.com/ for a preview!

(New items added every week!)

Free gift for first 50 customers!

Oh the adventures...

Grant seems like to like staying home with Mike during the day. Each day is a new adventure. Every week is a trip to Costco and you never know what to expect.

As I was sitting at work today this was the picture that Mike sent me from his Blackberry.

Too much fun for Grant!

Mountain Board

Several weeks ago Mike was looking for a cheap mountain board to use when we go visit his Grandparents. Of course he had been shopping the Internet and finally found the best deal at D.I. (Mike has been a frequent shopper of D.I. since we had Grant. I can't complain too much because he actually does find some great things.)

On Friday I came home from work to find that the mountain board had been modified. Yes, it had been baby proofed. Grant is now learning to tear up the cement. I think it will be good practice for when he wants to be a surfer, wake boarder, or even a snowboarder.

Mike also bought a buggy several months ago and we finally got it back from the shop. (No this wasn't a D.I. purchase but it was a Craigslist purchase.)

We took the buggy up to the Ranch this weekend so when we go up again Mike can hopefully actually use the thing.