Today he is 1

1 year ago right now, I was in my bathtub listening to some music. I had just sent William off to school and was surrounded by people I love. A few hours later I would bring Joseph into the world. It was a beautiful time. The next few weeks were rough for me. I think I have decided that as sweet and cute as tiny babies are, that time is challenging for me. There are parts that I love but on the whole I am an emotional roller coaster. I feel very out of control and that is hard for me. The past year, though, has been amazing.

I am so glad this boy is part of our lives. The following pictures are of him doing what he loves most. Putting something into something else.

I love his pudgy-ness, his determination, his smile, and I even love it when he gets mad (it is really cute and it usually doesn't last long). He isn't walking yet, but crawls everywhere. He loves getting into things (like cupboards, garbage cans, toilets, my shower and make up). He loves his brother and sister and he gives the BEST hugs. I am looking forward to years of bear hugs from this kid.

I wrote the story of his birth, but I don't think I ever wrote my honest feelings of having a baby at home. Since it has been a year, maybe it is time. Smile. But for now, I need to clean my house and get ready for his little birthday party this evening. 

1st Hair Cut

I have been saying for a long time that I needed to cut Josephs hair, especially the wings right behind his ears, they were the longest. But the more his hair curled the harder it was to do and I knew it would make him look older. Also it meant getting something done which has seemed to be harder and harder to do the last few months. But over this last weekend Russ got really motivated to get some stuff done (like painting and decorating the kids room!) and cutting this boys hair was one of those things.

Russ getting him used to the buzz of the clippers. Joseph loved it.

Hi little curlies:(

The big kids trying to get Joseph to look at them because he kept trying to look at the clippers.

It worked for awhile.

I love this picture. Russ is such a good daddy. He loves his kids (and me) so much and shows us everyday. Every. day.

I love the look on Josephs face in this picture.

I love the look on Russ' face more in this picture. That is his concentrating face:)

Joseph was so good, but was getting antsy and was having a hard time sitting still.

But before too long and before any real tears, it was over.

It is a small change, but it makes such a difference to me. He is growing up so much and I love it. I am a bit sad at times to see his baby self slipping away, but it is all to fascinating to watch him grow and learn more about him. I love the shift I feel in my heart as my love grows from loving him because he is mine to care for to loving him because he of who he is. 

Guys, it was fun

I went to the cutest funnest party this weekend (thrown by Jessica and Abe) and now I really want a projector. 

Stuff for s'mores (sorry the pics are so dark, I only had my phone)

Apple slices and all kinds of stuff to dip them in.

Pop corn, drinks and candy. Let's just say I made my way to the snack table a number of times.

Vintage sheets cut to size for us to sit on with chalk board tags!

Angela and I getting ready for the movie to start.

Russ getting ready? 

I was also excited cause we were watching Goonies and I have not seen that since I was a kid. 

Russ also admitted to me later that he may have gotten a little misty eye'd at the end. I love that he is turning into such an old man:)

Hand - Me - Downs

Russ sister gives us hand me down clothes from her boys. Her boys are three years apart (I think.ha!) And there were quite a few things that matched each other, but my boys are farther apart in age (almost exactly 6 years) so they never fit them at the right time. Except these sweater vests. William is small enough that he can pull off a 4 and Joseph is big enough that he can pull off 18 months.

As we scrambled out the door on the way to church I made the kids sit still for 45 seconds so I could snap a couple pictures. I HAD to cause they. are. so. cute!

I love his feet in this picture. Ooooh I want to squeeze him!

Gracie is wearing a hand-me-down dress from her cousin Harper. Getting that box of clothes was like christmas for Gracie and myself. She looked like such a doll.

Later that day when we went out to my moms I put Joseph in some overalls that were Russ' when he was a baby.

Unfortunately I waited to long to try them on him and they are too small.

But he sure did look cute. He reminded me of Bob's Big Boy, or something. 

In other news Russ job is going well. I don't think he feels totally comfortable in the new setting yet, but that will come. We did solidify is schedule until May and he doesn't have to work Sundays!!! This makes me so happy. And every other weekend he will work on Saturday and only have Sunday off and then the next week he will have Monday off (so a three day weekend). And he leaves work everyday at 3:30! Did you hear me?? THREE THIRTY! I am in heaven. This last week has been so nice having him here to help with the fussy baby while I make dinner (all my babies get fussy when it is time for me to make dinner), and he eats dinner with us. Seriously, heaven.

I have imaginary friends

I read blogs. A lot. I love them, I just do. It all started in 2006 when my cousin sent me a link to the blog she started and I was like, "what is this?" And we had just moved away from our families to go to school and I thought, "what a great way to keep in touch!" So I started one and then after about a year I realized it was the best (only) journal I had ever kept! There was/is no way I am going to stop that. Somewhere along the line I started reading other peoples blogs. I read blogs of friends and people I know, but then there are those that I don't know in the real world, but I have grown to really love them. I call them my imaginary friends. The first was...

Nie Nie

Before her plane crash I was introduced to her blog and being naive to the internet did not realize that there were blogs that thousands of people read without knowing them. I learned quickly. This gal taught me a lot, like it is okay to decorate and dress the way you like and not the way others do, that I can make healthier eating choices,  I can have a baby at home, I can buy an older home and make it just the way I want it. She also helped me remember that I love being a mom and to not let the stress get me down. Through her blog I found...

Kelly Mccaleb

 I was super drawn to her blog the moment I read it. She is real and honest and I love that. If I knew her in real life I know we would be friends, not because we are exactly a like, but because I appreciate and love the person she is. And the things she is into change all the time and that is the way that I am so I love it. Through her I found her sister...

Heather

I just love her. Her blog makes me excited to have teenagers rather than dread/fear it. I am not 100% sure why, but I have gotten teary eyed reading her blog quite a few times. She speaks my language, what can I say? Then they have another sister...

Coco

And Coco is like her sisters real, honest, and just cool. Plus she posts videos of MC Hammer.

Little Green Notebook

This gal is Jenny and she has a decorating blog. I have been following it for a long time and it has been fun to watch it grow. She has great taste and great tips.

Petite Mama

This is Marjorie and I got connected with her through the iPhone app, instagram. She is a mama that is a lot like me, but she is in France.sigh. I love communicating with her through pictures and seeing the parallel in our lives. It is like having a pen pal and I love it. And I love that google will translate her blog for me (though not always perfectly).

Playing House

My cousin introduced me to this blog and this girl is a young mama who is hip, but doesn't take herself too seriously.

Cakies

Then we have Ruby Ellen. she likes vintage (like me), she likes to craft (like me), she likes good food (like me), she loves her family (like me), and she loves god (like me). I feel better after reading her blog.

Shannon Hale

There was not a picture on the blog that I could see of Shannon, so I put the first book of her that I ever read. I love all her books and her blog. We have met in person and she called my sister and I her Arizona friends, but I think I will still call our friendship imaginary:)

Laini Taylor

The other authors blog that I follow is Laini Taylor's. I just adore this pink haired lady. Her daughter is so so cute and she is a wonderful mama and while her blog is mostly about writing her awesomeness as a mother, wife, friend, and artist cannot be contained. Her blog just makes me happy. And so do her books!

Kara Bagley

And this lady's blog is where I go if I want to take another step in eating healthier. She has wonderful information, tips, advice, and recipies. I love her passion and she makes me want to garden.

While scrolling through this list I noticed that most (if not all) of these ladies are spiritual. That is something that  I connect with. I am glad that these ladies do what they do and let me peek into their lives. It lets me know that I am not alone in my beliefs, passions, and style. I do read more blogs, but these are my favorites. And I just found another one last night (through Kelly).

Mara

I read the whole thing last night (luckily she has only been doing it for 3 weeks) and have felt so inspired to be  a better me (I hate to use the word "inspired" cause it seems so over used, but I don't know what else to say). She shares about her trials of infertility, divorce, remarriage (this was not a trial), and still struggling with infertility. I love it because she gives very simple, very real tips on how to be happy even though we all have trials. I think that everyone could benefit from reading this. This is part of her post today, 

"So, dear ones, I hope you will join me in this effort to become the best women we can be by finding happiness independent of our circumstances.

It is the most liberating, burden-lifting thing we could ever do (for ourselves).  And it will be the most noble and powerful act of love that we could ever offer our children or spouses."

I am joining her and I hope you do to. Lets all do this together (both fists in the air)!

So there you go. I hope someone appreciates this cause I had to do a lot of linking and such and it was not as easy as I thought it would be. Maybe someday I will let you know about my real friends blogs:) Those that post anyway. hint hint.

Oh yes I should also mentions a couple that used to be my imaginary friends, but have become my friends in real life!

Reachel Bagley

and 

Angela Hardison

And both are even cooler in real life so I assume it is that way with all my imaginary friends. 

The end.

whew!

lil' stinker

If you come to our house and need to use the bathroom, the toilet paper will be on the back of the toilet.

Also this guy took a couple of steps today, in the buff. After his bath Russ and I were having him "walk" back and forth between us and mostly it was him standing and lunging for us but a few times there were some steps. This little baby is growing up and I am happy to be a part of it.

Clever

William labeled out mail box with chalk. I love it. 

Having a child that is learning to read has made me realize how rediculous the english language is. For example, c and k can we just pick one. There is no need to have two letters that make the same sound. I am ready to redo the whole thing. But texting may do that for us.

I am amazed at this boy. He is smart, and good, and really funny.

He also drew this variety of swords and wanted me to take a picture of it.