Facebook

When I was planning my move from Provo (aka college) to Blanding (aka first year teaching), I had a lot of friends and coworkers asking me if I had a facebook page or would be starting one. This was a whopping three years ago when the social networking world was just starting to get big. I knew what facebook was, but by no means was everyone doing it (yet).

I made the conscious decision to start a blog instead of a facebook page.

And thus blandingadventures was born (it's been three years, folks!). I've never looked back with regret on that decision. And I've held firm. I still don't do facebook.

Now I'm not here to say that facebook is evil or wrong or bad. By any means! But it's not for me. I still have no desire to do facebook. (As if blogging wasn't time consuming enough. Let's be honest.)

There are times, I admit, when I'll think back fondly on a high school or college friend and wonder where they are in life, what they are up to. And then, with a jerk, it'll dawn on me that I probably could know if I looked for them on facebook. And occasionally I've used someone else's account to do just that. But for the most part, I let it alone.

I'm ok with letting some people stay and tender, fond memories from my past. I don't feel the need to know what the latest thing written on their wall was.

I've been thinking a lot about why I feel this way. Because pretty much I think I'm an anomaly of society right now. Nothing is more "in" then having a bazillion friends on facebook. Knowing the minute details of their lives. So why don't I jump on the bandwagon? Why don't I want to?

I'm not sure. But the whole idea of it all overwhelms me. Too many people. Too much time. Too many advertisements on the sides. Too many details. Too much of an obligation to keep track. And (don't judge) I think the set up is too confusing. I'll pass.

I like life being a little more on the simpler side.

So, perhaps, I am a freak of nature. But I'll stick to blogging. And if I knew you once upon a time, don't take offense that you can't find me in facebook. But my blog isn't private (and hopefully won't ever be), so feel free to stop in and say hello. We can still be friends. I promise.

Oh baby!

I finally managed to order the rest of my diaper-making supplies (pale pink! butter yellow!) and knew my fun baby clothes sewing would have to be put on hold. So last week was my mad dash to finish enough projects that I would feel good going back to diaper making. (Side note: is nesting supposed to last the whole pregnancy? Because it hasn't let up around here).

I kept that little machine a-whirring all week long. Here are the fruits of my labors:

This jumper is a combo of a pattern I bought (my first time buying and sewing from a commercial pattern! verdict: tutorials online are usually clearer and more detailed) and a tutorial I found. The booties make the outfit, don't you think??

This little jumper is the next size up of the newborn ones I already made. (Side note: I'm worried those first ones will be more like shirts than dresses...). Oh how I adore this cherry fabric. The booties from above are lined with the cherries and are intended to match both jumpers. (ps. Please forgive the fact that I still haven't put on buttons. I have super struggling to find buttons I like these days.)

One thing I learned with Raymond: you can never (ever) have enough bibs. You would think I could just whip out these bibs... but I tell ya, the set of six did take me a few days. I liked getting to be a little more creative with the rick rack, ribbon, and buttons. Jeremy commented that I seem to be giving the lady bug the royal treatment. I responded that he would have been upset if I had tried to put anything decorative (like ribbon and buttons!) on a bib for Raymond. He conceded.

And lastly, for you out-of-towners (pretty much the majority of you), I am definitely looking pregnant these days. Don't you agree?

I'll be 30 (THIRTY!) weeks tomorrow. I tell you, this pregnancy is flying right on by. It's shocking actually. Yesterday Jeremy and I discussed the way we will rearrange our bedroom to make room for the new addition. I can't believe there are only about two months to go.

I'll be honest, I don't feel ready.

Once I get the diapers finished, I might feel more prepared. But I still have Christmas sewing and projecting to do. And one-on-one time to spend with Raymond. And more baby sewing. Definitely going to need all two months. But do not fear, I am confident that slowly and steadily I'll get it all done if I work on a little here and a little there each day.

In the meantime I'm enjoying my bulging belly. I might be the weird one, but I really love being pregnant. I love the belly. I love the kicking. I love the planning and scheming. I've been working every day for the past week to mentally prepare myself for the lady bug's labor and delivery. It's becoming a peaceful and calming part of each day. I am so grateful to be a woman and to participate so actively in this beautiful process. It truly is miraculous.

The First Day of Fall.

And would you know, in true fall fashion, I woke up this morning and was cold.  I changed out of my summery pajamas into warmer ones right after eating breakfast with Raymond. (What, don't you eat at 6:30 in the morning too?).

I have all sorts of fall-focused plans for today.

Baking. Something worthwhile will turn on that oven today. Muffins? Wheat thins? Cookies?

Long sleeves. Ok, maybe three quarter length... let's remember I have an internal oven keeping me toasty.

A nature walk. While I don't think the leaves are changing around here yet... we are going to get out there are check!

Maybe some sort of artwork with leaves. Raymond has become an avid colorer. Crayons, pencils, markers... the boy is in heaven if I let him get his hands on any of the above. Today we might, just maybe, see what we can do with a some paint. Wish us luck.

Soup for supper. Taco soup? Chicken corn chowder? Creamy tomato?

Some fall poetry reading. Raymond mostly just ignores me when I pull out a poetry book and do a dramatic reading for him... but I know deep in my heart I am helping to instill a love of poetry in his little soul. And I have a book with a whole section on seasons. Hooray for leaves falling in rhymes!


I hope your day is full of fall festivities too!

A little light Monday morning reading

Sometimes it's a wonder to me that I passed the US Government AP test as a senior in high school (!!). I'm sure I studied hard and I know I worked hard, but honestly, I didn't take nearly enough away from that class. The specifics of what our constitution says, means, and does is sometimes still pretty evasive for me.

For years--all through college--I felt the need to become more politically informed. I had a hard time following issues, researching candidates, weeding through professed stances. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Marrying Jeremy has improved my know-how of politics considerably, but I still could use some work.

Maybe you could too (it's a bit overwhelming sometimes, isn't it?)

Anyhow, I just read a talk given Elder Dallin H. Oaks at Utah's Constitution Day Celebration (last Friday). While, as many of you know, he is a prominent religious leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he is also a previous law professor and Utah Supreme Court Judge. In other words, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to the constitution.

I recommend reading it because he spells out in (more or less) plain language some of the basic fundamentals of our constitution. I appreciated the refresher on what our constitution is meant to do and how it is laid out to succeed.

It is applicable information despite party affiliation or opinions. He's pretty neutral here.

At the end he also talks about five things we, as citizens, can and should be doing to uphold the constitution. I always like direct application.

Full text here. Newsroom report here. Enjoy!

I have a thing for Sister Beck

the General Relief Society President. Back when the monthly visiting teaching messages were a collection of quotes, it became a standing joke between my visiting teachee and I that I always, inevitably, characteristically, unabashedly shared her quote.

She just has no problem saying it like it is. And I like that. No need to beat around the bush here.

She's a classic defender of homemaking and motherhood without the sugar coating and back patting. She knows it's hard work, but necessary (commandment type) work, and she won't back down from her high expectations for women around the world. It makes me feel respected and valued to be held up to such a high standard. It is empowering.

So when our new Stake Relief Society President mentioned some new training videos Sister Beck has done on the Relief Society page of lds.org, you better believe it was on my to-do list today to see what she had to say.

As always, she didn't fail me. I love this video about priorities. I love that idea that there are essentials, needs, and "nice to dos" in our lives. Especially as women and mothers. And I agree that it's easy to spend too much time in the "nice to do" category and not enough sincere and lasting time in the things that will bring salvation. As my Stake RS President said last night, when we do the essentials first, we find more joy in fulfilling our needs (cooking, cleaning, etc) and more time than expected getting to do the "nice to dos."

I've found this to be true. I am most dissatisfied with my life when my prayers are short and careless and when my scripture study is easily and often interrupted (or worse yet, constantly postponed). Truthfully, the rest of the day I feel guilty and uneasy about it.  On the flip, I am most content and energized when those essential things are done early and sincerely in each day.

Watching this video clip made me that much more excited for the upcoming General Relief Society Broadcast (on the 25th this month). And General Conference the next week. I just feel ready for the boost that comes with conference.


As a footnote: Episode 15 of "Conversations" (interviews with Sheri Dew) on the Mormon Channel (a radio station/website) is of Sister Beck and her two daughters. It's fun. You should tune in sometime.

Sugar and spice and everything nice... including pleats

Gosh don't you love it? I made this little jumper yesterday, and really I want to dollop some whipped cream on top and eat it up.  I love how simple it is. Somehow feminine without a ruffle or bow.

I have jumped back into sewing full swing again. Today I made a few bibs. More booties are on the agenda. And some bigger sized dresses (so far I've made three 0-3 month). Maybe a daygown or two (like these... I tell you I wake up in the early morning hours thinking about making these). I still want to make a new carseat cover, but I'm scared.

We'll see what a little fabric, inspiration, and hard work can do!

A slow kind of busy

I have a lot I keep meaning to blog about, but haven't. Alas. But because I have my doubts that any one of them will hash out into a real live post, here's a snippet of them all...

1. Monday was our two year anniversary. We spent most of the day traveling, taking all our energy from anything celebratory that could have happened that night. We did get a movie from redbox, however, which was a treat.
2. We went to Blanding over the weekend with the primary objective being canning. My mother-in-law cranks out dozens of jars of produce each fall (all from her garden, peach, pear, and apple trees).  I've been itching to learn from the professional herself. We did pears, pear butter, pickles, and jams.
3. I also brought home some peaches so I could put my new skills to the test. Today I did my first batch. I think they'll be shelf-worthy.
4. Law School applications are in full swing. A handful have gone in, and, except for one, we probably won't hear a thing for months to come. Ahhh! Stressful!
5. Did I mention we've been married for two years? Does that seem crazy or what? I can't decide if really I've been married for forever or if these last two years have flown by.
6. I do still sew on occasion. I made another jumper and a sweet little set of Mary Jane booties. I also whipped out a bowtie for Jeremy's Professor Plum costume for our ward activity tonight. Fun fun.
7. A few of us in my ward have started a little playgroup. It adds a nice diversion to the week. I feel lucky to be surrounded by such great ladies.

 Well, that's all for now, my friends. I'll do my darndest to be back soon!

Love,

cj

Come what may

Jeremy and I frequently ask ourselves what we think life will be like once the LadyBug comes along. It's a little mind-boggling, actually.

Because I honestly don't know.

Raymond, I'm not going to lie, is a pretty active little fellow. Not to mention, he was--during his first few months--what might be termed a "fussy baby." At the time, I didn't really want to believe it. I focused on the happy boy who did surface for chunks of time each day. But in between was a lot of crying and rocking and swaddling and nursing and very very little sleeping (by either of us). I hate to admit it, but those first three months were rough for me.

You would think the (very fresh) memories of that would make me nervous about doing it again... this time with an 18-month-old at my heels. An attention-loving, hand-on, busy little fellow.

But you know, call me crazy, I feel extremely calm about the whirlwind that will hit this house in just about three months.

I've decided that if somehow this little Lady is a crier like Raymond, well, I handled it once before. But I think she'll be a little bit calmer. She's not nearly the kicker Raymond was in the womb anyway. I think she's going to bring her own special peaceful presence even while turning our world upside down (or Raymond's anyway).

I feel absolutely sure that this is when Heavenly Father wanted us to have another one. Which means He is absolutely sure I can be the mother of two little ones right in a row. It's a good feeling.

As Jeremy frequently reminds me, I'm made for this.

 26 weeks, 1 day and going strong.