Phone Dump

Here's some pictures of what we've been up to, which is pretty much nothing. Just playing with cousins and grandparents and such.

Feeding horses with Papa

Kids Club at the mall

He loves playing with Crew... until they start fighting and he get's offended or beat up. And he looks so much like baby Jacob in this picture.

He's had more treats in the last few weeks than in his whole life. Grandparent's know the way to a kid's heart.

Finally started "Les Miserables".

24 weeks!

Christmas Vacation 2012

Our trip to Arizona for Christmas was a pretty short one. We had just enough time for Clark to catch an awful cold/fever from his cousins, family pictures with both of our families, wrapping presents, and the annual Smith Family Christmas Eve Party. The elves brought our jammies right before the talent show--don't be deceived by the title, there's very little talent involved. Since Jacob insisted we buy Clark this little bear suit for Christmas pjs, I decided to find some pretty hideous fabric for ours to "coordinate".

ok, mostly just they coordinate and I wanted hipster sweater leggings

The whole Smith family 

sisters and sisters-in-law

all the cousins + Grandma and Papa

We slept at the Ellsworth's on Christmas Eve and did presents with them followed by brunch and gift-opening with my family. Honestly, we didn't get Clark a thing. It just seemed really stupid to waste money on gifts for him when a) he got tons from family and b) he could care less, but I' probably just a bad mom. I got some really nice kitchen stuff, tickets to see Lion King (Broadway, not 3D), and stuff for cutting sewing patterns the real way.

In the afternoon I went with some of my sisters and parents to see Les Mis, and it was all I hoped it would be! Plus my crying was nothing compared to my mom and pregnant sister sobbing from start to finish. Really though, as soon as it was over I wanted to watch it again and haven't stopped thinking about it since!

The next day we drove home, and I made the mistake of leaving a little tub of opened Chickfila sauce what I thought was out of arms reach from Clark. He downed that thing, and his tummy did not approve. Now I'm just sitting at home, depressed that we had to leave so soon.

so grossss

Thanksgiving

Clark and I flew down to AZ a week before Thanksgiving, and for the first time in months I was really thankful that I'm not in school or working. I can find a really cheap flight way before a holiday and  say, "heck, I'll spend a couple weeks there!" Nothing to tie me down these days except my baby who is actually great company and makes an excellent travel companion (taking the flight right after bedtime= genius!)

The first thing I did was take the usual trip to SAS with EmmaLee to find fabric for our Christmas PJs. Brynlee was a very helpful, throwing this and that into my stroller and keeping Clark entertained. I thought I put all her contributions back until I got home and found a little bag of jewels in my diaper bag.

Come on, what 4-year-old girl can resist that?

Other fun stuff I did included seeing one of my best friends (and practically SIL) get home from her mission, building teepees with Landon, eating two Thanksgiving dinners, waiting in a line for 4 hours on Black Friday to get Jacob's non-surprise Christmas gift, having breakfast with most of my friends, getting pictures of our little family taken by Bethany, and seeing the Nutcracker with my mom and sisters (shout-out to the girl whose skirt fell off mid pirouette for completing the number while unsuccessfully trying to keep your bum covered and for being the highlight of my trip).

Dabbling

I used to wish that I was really super amazing at just one thing, but I've learned to embrace the face that I'm just ok at a lot of things. I think this transition happened around Sophomore year of high school when I decided to quit going to ballet for 3 hours every day and just be a kid and have a social life. Then I reached my peak of hobby exploration. That year alone I was in dance, orchestra, and ice skating classes, culinary club, the ski/snowboard club, badminton team, and a few weeks on the tennis team (I think I quit after I got my fingers stuck in the strings of the racket when I was supposed to be listening to a lecture from the coach...or because if I did manage to hit the ball, it hurt my little wrists real bad). I even got the boy I liked to teach me and a friend guitar lessons.

Snowriders

Badminton

obviously

orchestra trip

So my latest hobbies are learning to use Adobe Illustrator to make the blog all cute (could you tell?) and penmanship. I just decided that being able to write really pretty would be a good skill to have, so I got this book last time I was at the library:

I guess if I can't be in school (I miss it so bad), I'll just teach myself anything and everything. Except sporty things. No hope there.

This ish is bananas

Last week Jacob had to go to California to start work so that we would have health insurance and so he could find us a place to live. It was really hard for me to have him gone the entire week, but I survived! And then we were suppose to move into our perfect new home/apt./condo and start life.

But here I am, sitting at my parents' house while Jacob drives a U-Haul to California. He did find a really great place for us to live, but we won't be able to move in until mid June or later. So I had two choices: go live with complete strangers for two months and sit around their home all day with a crying newborn while Jacob was at work or stay here in Arizona with my parents but without my husband. Wait, where's the good alternative? I really didn't want to do either! But I knew that I needed to stay where I would feel most comfortable, where I could get Clark into a routine, and where I could have just a little stability amid all these huge changes.

I know it's not that big of deal--Jacob is flying down every weekend--but it is really hard for me. I've never liked change and especially hate when things don't go the way I had planned (ok, maybe I'm a control freak). And I really need my husband's love and support at this time where I feel like such a tired mess. wah wah, woe is me. I know so many people have it SO much worse. It just shows how incredibly easy my life has been that this is a struggle for me.

Now to be positive for a second. I would way rather wait a few months to live somewhere perfect for us than to settle for something crappy right now. I am really glad that I get to spend more time with family before we move away. I am glad that I don't have to settle in somewhere again and then again. I am glad that Clark can stay in a place where we've started to establish a routine and where so many people love him. And I really will be fine. I'm always doubting my ability to deal with hard things, and then with a lot a prayer and a little effort, I do just fine.

Name and Blessing

On Sunday we were able to have Clark's baby blessing in Jacob's parent's ward. I was really glad we got to have so many friends and family there instead of doing it in California where we know nobody. We had a little lunch after at his parent's house. It was all perfect.

I got ready and everything! I was a little worried my baby wouldn't recognize me sans glasses, greasy ponytail, and crusty T-shirt.

And while I'm (sort of) on the topic of names, I'll share how the babe got his name. It started with a pretty long list which got narrowed down for months until we were down to 2 or 3 favorites. We got Clark from his Grandma's maiden name. We thought we would keep a few names in mind and then decide which suited him best when we saw him. Good idea in theory. Not in practice.

When we saw him neither of us had slept for 24 hours, I was drugged, and he didn't come looking like a certain name. Duhh. I don't know why I was expecting it to just come to us when we saw him, because it totally didn't. I said I would pick the middle name if Jacob picked the first. I held up my end, but he didn't want that much responsibility, so we did a lot of "You choose." "No, you choose." "Mom, you pick." Finally I said "ok pick a number!" No really, we named our child by picking a number.

But I think it suites him..now (at first anything we called him felt weird). And I don't know if we could have picked a better namesake. Jacob's grandma is one of the most genuinely kind and selfless people I've ever met, and thanks to her, we've had a place to stay for almost free the past three years.

So that's how Clark became Clark. And then it was brought to our attention that he could also be CJ which doesn't really fit at the moment, but maybe someday he'll be glad to have the option?

little surprises

Every time we get back to Arizona, there are little surprises waiting for me at my parent's house. Not like gifts or treats. Like, "sorry you can't sleep in your old bedroom, there are chick eggs incubating in there". This year, I was greeted by a church bench in the TV room.

Can't wait to see what's new in May!

Baby Shower

Right before I left Arizona, my mom and sisters threw me a baby shower. I didn't want it to be some big over-the-top event and I didn't want anyone to go to too much trouble in the planning. It ended up being perfectly cute and simple!

These were the announcements Bethany made:



We decided to run with the "peanut" idea and do a circus-ish theme.







Even though I always feel uncomfortable opening presents in front of people and being the center of attention, I had a lot of fun getting to visit with family and friends (and eat treats of course). I couldn't believe how generous people were; we ended up with so much cute and useful stuff for baby. Every little bit means A LOT to us poor college folk.

Thanks everyone, we feel the love!


p.s. I'm around 26 weeks in these photos and getting bigger every day. whooop!

Christmas Vacation

It did happen, but we must have been having so much fun (been so lazy) that we took hardly any pictures.
First, we went to Mexico with Jacob's family for a few days. It was a little too cold to play in the water, but it was nice to just relax on the beach and search for creatures.


When we got back, we finished our last-minute preparations for Christmas, went to the Swap Meet, and went to a Christmas party with some of my high school friends.


Jacob's big Christmas gift was the new Zelda game complete with golden wiimote (which I convinced him earlier I wasn't able to get a hold of), so he spent the rest of the break playing that while I coached him or sewed or slept since apparently I get sick now. My niece, Ruby, took over my coaching position whenever I was slacking. She especially liked when he picked up red rupees, because she thought we were saying "red rubies" and gave all the other colors names (pink Ellas, green Jacobs, etc.)
My big gift was the Adobe Suite, because I always use InDesign and Photoshop on the school computers and was sad I wouldn't have them when we graduate in April. I wanted mostly homemade things from family, because I love homemade gifts!
For New Years, we went to Kami and James' for a family party. They just happened to move into the same ward as Jacob's parents, so they live real close. Yay convenience!

so many girls in ties

Last night I went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter for the 7th and final time (I wasn't allowed to see "Sorcerer's Stone" at midnight). I have grown up with these books and movies and have always looked forward to the next one coming out. I consoled myself after I finished the 7th book by being excited for the rest of the movies.  Never again! soo sad.

Anyhow, I threw a costume together the day of, as usual. I decided to be Luna Lovegood. So I made some radish earrings out of modeling clay...

And some spetrespecs with a free print-out I found.

I was trying to look crazy, she was trying to look smart, and we ended up looking the same.

It was only fitting to see the movie with Olivia, because we've seen almost every HP midnight showing together (and been delirious in school together the next day).

The movie was amazing! I was even tempted to stay for the 3 AM showing.

Thank you J.K. Rowling for giving me a magical childhood!

I've been watching very little TV lately.

My weekend. in bullet form. because I'm too lazy to think of clever transitions and junk.

Thursday:

• went to the farm with Jacob and his dad, rode in the tractor (had "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" in my head the whole time), painted crap, told them I was never coming back.

Friday:

• went to Gilbert to help Bethany prepare for bridals, shot video of her and Blake while they got pictures taken
• went out to Scottsdale for Megan and Bethany's combined bachelorette partayyy, ate delicious Italian food + frozen yogurt
• had a sleepover with Megynn and Olivia, talked and talked and laughed alot

Saturday:

• about to drive back to Queen Creek when Bethany says, "Let's go to H and M", couldn't resist, waited for Em, shopped for hours, went to the happiest place on earth (a gelato shop)
• finally went back to QC in time for Emily's voice recital, played with Jacob and Emily for the rest of the night

Sunday:

• went to church, got a surprise calling in nursery (you never want your father-in-law to be the bishop)
• played Mario Party allll day
• went to my parents' for dinner
• went to Steven's to play BUZZ

And yesterday I did nothing. The end.

I'm gonna like it here

Last night Canaya said, "I just can't stop thinking about Anakin becoming Darth Vader"

And then my mom made pazoookies with homemade hot fudge sauce and buttermilk caramel.

Oh and Jacob's old bedroom has been turned into a craft room.
It's going to be a good summer.

Final Answer.

So, we finally know what we're doing in the summer!
(unless we change our minds)

Arizona, here we come!



Jacob got an internship, and I'm going to try to do my TESOL internship online or get a job or take online classes or just hang out. Anyone have a job for me?? Or a car??



Well, I don't really care what I'll be doing. I'm just happy to know where we'll be, and I LOVE being in Arizona.

holly and jolly

We are in good ol AZ for Christmas Break and it has been fantastic so far. I love Christmas time, 75 degree weather, and spending time with both of my families! It's been really nice to just relax and not feel like I should be studying something.

Our first morning here was spent at the swap meet where we found many treasures, as usual. Jacob's sister, Emily, got her wisdom teeth out at the beginning of the week, so I kept her entertained by having Sims "House-off"s, making crafts, and playing Super Mario Brothers. Jacob's been having fun playing tennis with my brothers, Cities and Knights, and Castle Crashers.

On Christmas Adam, my sisters and I got footage for this little gem (if you weren't convinced that my mom is the coolest person ever, you should be now!). Then I got to see a lot of my friends at a Christmas party!

On Christmas Eve, we went to my house for the annual Smith Family Christmas Eve party. After our turkey dinner, the Christmas Elvises brought us our pjs. Then we had our talent show and white elephant gift exchange! Late on Christmas Eve, I was informed that I was responsible for filling Jacob's stocking! WHAT?! Luckily, my dad and sisters went with me, in matching pajamas, on a late-night adventure to find ANY store open on Christmas Eve at 10:30. Walgreens came to the rescue, and I was able to find some lovely stocking stuffers. We stayed up way too late watching a Lifetime original Christmas movie and waiting for our husbands to get back from helping a certain brother-in-law put together a ping pong table.

Singing with the grandkids and papa in the talent show

Sisters. modeling our new pjs.


Christmas morning was wonderful, and I got everything I ever wanted, plus some. After we finished up at my house, we headed over to the Ellsworth's for more fun. I love double Christmas! We had dinner with his grandparents and played card games.

Tonight we had Cafe Rio salads and Karaoke Night at Steven and Adina's. We had a couples sing-off, and Jacob and I graced everyone with our beautiful rendition of "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing". Somehow the mike kept coming back to me and/or Amy

You're a grand ol flag

Happy 4th of July!




I'm in Arizona, so I went to watch some fireworks with my friends..which mostly just made me miss Jacob.
But I sure love these girls! At midnight, we went to In'n'Out where we found Olivia and Summer. I made them all sleep over at my house, because I'm scared of being home alone. It's been fun catching up with everyone!

What really matters

Hi. We're moving to Texas for the summer, so Jacob can sell pest control with his bros (stop judging him). A few days ago, we made a game plan for when we're in Arizona. See, it's really important that we eat at all the amazing food that only Arizona can offer before we leave it all summer. So far we have:

-Gecko Grill, obviously
-Joe's BBQ/Farm Grill
-In-n-Out (There is one in Provo, but we refuse to wait in a 3 hour line for a burger)

I think there were a few more. Is there anywhere else we must eat before we go???

Growing Up and Liking It

That was the name of a puberty film my mom showed my sisters and I when I was probably 6.
It also applies to this post, which will likely be long, cliche, and cheesy. That's just how I feel right now!

This is Donelle "Powdow". When I think of Donelle, I picture a little girl in spandex shorts and an over-sized Tweety Bird t-shirt, who couldn't pronounce her "r"s.

She taught me how to climb tress (I'm secretly terrified of heights),
and we had many secret clubs together. Whenever we played servant and princess, I made her be the servant. She never even complained about it. That's probably why Megynn Caffall and I always fought over who got to play with her.
She hated when people called her cute, but really. Look at those cheeks.

Yesterday she was the cutest little bride I've ever seen, and I'm so happy for her! But how did we get so old?! I really feel like we should still be playing house and rollerblading through chalk cities. I guess marriage is just the grown up version of playing house, and she was always really good at that game.
But seriously, she is the most selfless, giving person I know and will make a perfect wife.

This is another of my close friends, Shelby.
I think everyone in our high school chemistry class hated us, because we were really chatty and giggly all the time. We also tried to make love triangles by sending secret notes to people in class. Oh ya, and we made twin moles named Mary Kate and Ashley "Mole"sen.


The other day, Shelby became a mom. I don't think I've ever been so happy for someone. It's hard to explain, but just seeing pictures of her new son and knowing that will be me soon enough (as in 2 years), makes me realize how amazing it is. Really, it's a miracle!

So I guess what I'm saying is that being a kid was really fun, but the more difficult stuff means more. I think my sister, Kami, had a similar post and said everything I'm thinking 234 times more eloquently. {yep, here}

Also,I can't be sure because I'm still very much a kid.