Babies

I sure do love my little crazies. Sometimes I can't even believe I have three children. But there they are in all their adorable-ness.

Can't wait until Halloween when they turn into Peter, Tinker, and Smee, respectively. October really is the best month.

I hope you are enjoying wind and rain and falling yellow leaves, as we are. Oh, and endless bowls of all varieties of soups.

Cheers!

(PS it is, unbelievably, on the horizon that I will acquire a phone with a decent camera. Huzzah! This is as good a news for you as for me since the quality of these pictures really is atrocious.)

Reflections

Last Friday (the 12th) I turned thirty, friends. It's kind of a big-deal birthday. I have honestly been excited about it for just about a year. I am happy to have joined the "in my thirties" club.

More than anything it has made me think about and reflect on where I've been and where I'm going, and who I've been and who I have yet to become. In the last ten years, specifically, I feel like so much has happened. It makes me excited for the next ten years.

As a recap:

• Oct 2002: I had just started dating "the rocket" -- a relationship that fell apart about six months later. I learned immeasurably about the atonement, forgiveness, and faith as I worked to put myself back together. Maybe it sounds a little melodramatic (but, hey, I was 20), but this relationship and the aftermath was character forming in so many ways.
• Oct 2003: I was one month away from entering the MTC to serve in the Honduras, Comayaguela Mission. I was living at home and spending all my time with my mom. I was on fire with life, loved being home, and on pins and needles to begin my mission.
• Oct 2004: I had just been transferred (the week before) to Catacamas, and at the same time started training Hermana Paty Perez (from Guatemala). We were both new to the area and unfortunately neither of us had a very good sense of direction. Almost all the streets were dirt roads and all the houses adobe brick. We walked in circles! In the end, this was my favorite area, though. Oh, Honduras, I miss you.
• Oct 2005: I was teaching the "English" (three week) missionaries at the MTC and gearing up to teach the Welfare sisters starting in January. Working at the MTC will always be, I think, the best job I ever had. I loved it.  This was my first semester back at BYU after my mission and I was taking a bizillion Spanish classes since I had added a Spanish Teaching minor. 
• Oct 2006: I was still at the MTC, still teaching Welfare (although the program was on the brink--unbeknownst to me--of ending), still doing the BYU thing. I was living in that wonderful little house on 900 E and 700 S in Provo with Katy and Allison and Koseli and Shirsti. I loved that house. I loved those girls. I had just been called as the RS president in our singles ward.
• Oct 2007: I was a first year English teaching at San Juan High School in Blanding, Utah. I had just started this little ole blog and moving into my own apartment. I was crazy busy trying to keep up with teaching 11th and 12th grade English and AP Language. I spent late nights sitting in my rocking chair reading, Sunday afternoons going on long walks around Blanding, and Friday nights at the football games. 
• Oct 2008: I had been married to Jeremy 1(!) month. I had just found out I was pregnant with little Raymond John. We were newlyweds in love.Jeremy was in his first semester at SUU, and I was teaching Adult Ed and Even Start for Iron County (in Cedar City, UT)
• Oct 2009: Raymond was four months old; I was already planning and sewing Christmas presents (I remember spending months that year working on Christmas presents!). We were living in scholarship housing and I had just become friends with Lew Swank. I love her.
• Oct 2010: I was a month away from giving birth to Ginny. Jeremy and I were taking a married institute class together. Raymond had just started talking; I loved the way he would say "Moses" and point to the picture in the Gospel Art book.
• Oct 2011: We had just moved to SLC and started Law School. We were living in that "cozy" basement apartment. I was determined to bake all my own bread (it lasted until morning sickness kicked in two months later!)
• Oct 2012: And here I am living, in this beautiful old house, mom of three beautiful, fun, bright little babies. I feel like I have friends, am reading good books, have a great relationship with Jeremy, and in so many ways am at the prime of my life! Life just doesn't get much better than this.

So many wonderful things have happened in the last ten years. So much growth. So many faith building experiences. So many blessings. It is amazing to me to look back and see again and again how much Heavenly Father has guided me, blessed me, and helped me to grow. 

It is hard for me to believe that it has been only ten years, and at the same time, hard to believe it hasn't been longer. I feel I am at a cross roads, that I am leaving behind the characteristic phases of young adulthood--college, mission, young married years, first children. Ahead lies the "middle years." Growing children, a career for Jeremy, deepening friendships, "settling down," and the steady everyday tasks of motherhood. 

I wonder what is coming that I don't expect, can't anticipate. What challenges will come? Where will we live? What other little souls will come to our family? What hills and valleys await that are so far out of view? 

To be honest, I am grateful that life is always,endlessly, full of unknowns. So much of the last ten years was a surprise. Ten years ago I would have never guessed where I would have ended up.  I look forward to discovering what lies ahead, one day, on decision, one experience at a time.

happy little life

These are two of my favorite phone pictures of little Miss Virginia lately. Last week it was cool enough to pull out our jackets for about two days. We went to the farm and began decorating for Halloween in commemoration of such fall-like weather.

Then the temperatures jumped back up to the 80s. Plenty of time for really cold weather, however, so I'm not complaining.

My life these days is filled with lots of chubby cheeks to kiss (which I do often), family gatherings in perfectly spaced intervals (meaning they are frequent), and good books (I am addicted to my kindle and the fact that the Salt Lake Public Library has such a large collection).

I'm starting to get more sleep more consistently, which makes for a happy mama. And due to a treadmill purchase off KSL, I'm getting more exercise more consistently which makes for a doubly happy mama. Sleep, exercise, and a daily handful of chocolate chips makes everything in life better, don't you think?

I live a happy little life.


(ps remind me sometime to document for you the incredible variety (and intensity) of the wallpaper in this house. In the above picture you can sort of see the flavor of my bedroom. It tastes of broccoli!)

Blessing

I've started this post at least three times now. I can never seem to finish it. So maybe I'll just try to upload as many pictures as possible and skip the text.

We blessed Rex at the beginning of the month. It was a perfect weekend. He is a perfect (mostly anyway!) baby. I just love him.

I love this face.

The most adorable big sister ever.

Cousins.

Brayden loves babies. Good thing he's getting a new sister soon!

Well looky there. I cut my hair. 

The masses (in front of our new (to us) house). Love all these people mucho.

Family of five.

The kitchen crew rocks (as do my beautiful kitchen cabinets).

Grandma spoils us rotten. We love her dearly and love when she stays with us!

And there you have it. Pictures all courtesy Tasha, my sister, who is a champion for bringing her camera. And for coming in the first place. Like I said, it was a perfect weekend. I feel so blessed every single day.

latest edition

Rex Lee Christiansen

9 lbs 3 oz

20 inches long

arrived 6:35 am, Wednesday

 He came so much sooner than I mentally planned for! I really thought I would get through the move first. Not to be. And, actually, that's just fine by me. 

He's a darling little boy, but so different looking than his siblings! Despite being my biggest baby, he doesn't have the characteristic jowels I'm used to. He seems so small! He's been a CHAMPION sleeper. Wow. Cross your fingers it lasts. He's a pretty good eater when he wants to be, although I do have to wake him up for it (on dr's orders since he's lost a little more weight than they like and would easily sleep four or five hours between meals if I didn't).

Mostly thought, he's just a sweet new presence in our little world of moving chaos. I feel lucky to love and hold and call him mine.

Pictures! By Stanford

We were lucky enough to have Stanford (my brother-in-law) stop in somewhat unexpected a few weeks ago. My kids love Uncle Stanford (he's pretty hard not to love) and were super excited to get to play with him for a little bit. Of course he brought his camera and documented for us our current family of four and our soon-to-not-be apartment...

 Our little family of four... soon to be five! (Crazy, right??)

The belly shot. I think it was right at about 37 weeks. 

Us at home. Our kitchen is so small (I won't miss it!) Our living room looks huge here (and it definintely is the best feature of this apartment). Raymond, like I mentioned in my last post, is way into super heros. Here is Superman complete with cape and "boots."

Thanks, Stanford!! If any of you ever need a photographer (he lives in Vegas, but comes to Utah easily), he's the best!!

Well hello there!

I hate those blog posts that are just apologies or excuses for why I haven't blogged much... lame-o. And truthfully this is one of the reasons I've stayed away so long. What to say? Where to start?

Times and seasons, I guess.

I'm actually (I think, anyway) handling pregnancy and toddlerhood fairly well. Just totally exhausted. Otherwise I'm happy and generally optimistic about it all. I feel healthy and according to my midwife have excellent blood pressure, glucose and iron levels, and "look good"... albeit "big" (measuring about a week or so ahead... just like with my last two).

For the most part I (more or less) am staying on top of keeping my house in semi-order (dishes done, etc.) and we are gearing up for a move in about three weeks (yes, two days before my due date to be exact). I try to not stress about how all that will work out (pack, clean, move, have baby, keep track of two very active toddlers...). But it will in the end be SO worth it. It's a house! With a yard! And a place for a toy room! And a kitchen that will fit a table! And it's only about a block and half away and in out current ward. I feel blessed.

Did I mention it's been in the upper 90s every day for the last two weeks? With no end in sight, it seems. But despite that, I am packing boxes. Hooray for box fans and living in a basement where it's generally cooler than outside.

In happy news, Raymond and Ginny are actually more adorable than ever before (is it just my sentimental pregnancy hormones that makes me constantly enamored by them?? Or am I one of those parents?) Raymond is way into costumes lately. He lives in his Super Raymond cape. Ginny is into interrogatories. Everything is repeated as a question and it's  killer cute. She also is all about colors lately. "Wook! A red one, Mama!" etc. She's right about 75% of the time too... which astounds me.

Anyway, friends, I give you my sincerest apologies for letting blogging slide. And for not actually feeling all that guilty about it. Hopefully I'll at least send word when this little fellow makes his debut (before the move? after? only time will tell...).

All my love,

cj

37 weeks today! Full term!

Practically perfect in every way

Sigh. The last three days have been a bright burst of sunshine and happiness in my life.

Thursday afternoon my favorite little sister, Paige Christine-y, and my mamma-cita knocked on my door about six hours earlier than I was expecting them. And have camped out (along with my necessary-for-my-sanity-sister, Tasha) on my living room for the last two nights. They didn't even complain about having to share a bathroom with us (that you have to go through our bedroom to get too...).

I have loved every single second of it.

Oh the fun we have had! We kicked off the party with a trip to the newly opened City Creek Mall in downtown Salt Lake City. Very fun. (Minus the Disneystore trauma. I learned my lesson.). The next day we headed to Provo for some hanging out with Chad (my bro). I finally got my hands on a maternity bathing suit that fits (my life is complete. Swimming anyone?). Today we went to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point. My mom treated my kids and I (and Jeremy when with us) to fun foods and events all three days.

It was a whirl wind of fun. I think Paige takes the cake for keeping calm despite the many toddler tantrums and requests for "tasty treats" that occurred. Chad wins for always being willing to hold one of my children wherever we were. And Tasha wins for being the cutest. (She was actually the reason for the trip... but not to hang out with us so much as to go to a Blog Conference at Thanksgiving Point. So we only really saw her in the mornings and at night). And my mom wins for being the best "mother dear" I have. She was so generous, fun, adventurous, and happy happy happy to be with!

And because other people were there to take pictures... I have proof that it was a wonderful three days (ok so this is all from today, but whatever):

The Pony Ride: Ginny loved every blessed second. Raymond (true to form--he's afraid of heights) was terrified and went between nervous smiles and attempts at getting Aunt Paige to save him by pulling him off.  

 Man do I love this girl. Love love love.

 Aunt Paige rocked it. (Isn't she adorable??) Raymond was so brave!

 It took all three days for Raymond to finally attempt to do "no hands" while on Uncle Chad's tall shoulders. He had to slouch and keep his elbows in. I laugh looking at this picture. This boy kills me. He was so scared!

Friday night the girls headed to the boutique at Tasha's conference... and among other valuable finds was this pink frufru skirt. Ginny walked around all morning saying "pretty baby." Yes, baby girl, you are one pretty baby! 

She was there! Both at my house (hurrah!) and at the SNAP! conference. And she looked so cute every single day. I love this lady. 

Sigh. It was a breath of fresh air. I LOVE MY FAMILY! Gracious me. They fill me up with sunshine. Happy, happy, happy. That's how I feel. 

See, I really am pregnant

Lest you were starting to not believe me (since it did take a while for me to even post about it on the blog, and since I haven't posted a single picture up to this point...)

25 weeks, 4 days

Yep, definitely pregnant.
(You know it's obvious too when random moms at the park ask your due date and grocery store clerks exclaim, "wow, you look like you are about to pop!")

But what you should also notice about this picture is 1. the fact that Ginny is adorable (pigtails! My baby finally has hair long enough for pig tails!) and 2. that on the wall behind me is an enormous dragon that Jeremy drew for Raymond. Both of my kids regularly pick up sticks, vacuum accessories, spatulas, and anything else long and hard in order to "fight dragons." Yay for an artist dad who makes those dragons real (even if Ginny is scared that it will "getchu dragon!")

Oh and since you can't really tell that Ginny is adorable in that picture or that there is a dragon behind me... here's more proof for you:

Hello there. Wasn't it a lovely weekend?

A big thanks for all your insights and help on the last post. We ended up buying an IKEA bed. It's perfect. (Except for the fact that Raymond won't stay in it all night long... But it's a work in progress).

So I really love General Conference. It always seems to come at just the right time. You know, when you are about to lose all sanity ever granted to you and you need a loud dose of (righteous) reality thrown in your face.

Conference never fails me.

This year I was determined to make the weekend meaningful for all of us (including the two-and-under crowd). We set up our tent (which has never been slept in outside... or anywhere for that matter) on Saturday morning. It was a hit. We loved pretending we were Nephites listening to King Benjamin. We also did "subject jars" with pictures of general subjects (family, prophets, temple etc) and candy inside. It was the ploy to get Raymond to try and listen for key words. (It worked pretty well. Until he was so sugared up he just starting to throw fits for more candy...).

I also put together a simple little coloring book of conference themed pictures for the kids to color on. Ginny loved this most (which I was surprised about). Oh and we set up the easel right by the computer (since we don't have TV that's where we watch conference) with the spreadsheet from a previous conference Ensign of all the General Authorities taped to it. Every time a new speaker came up we found their picture and colored over it. This kind of petered out at the end, but was great while it lasted. Raymond loved to hunt for the picture (which he was only once successful at finding on his own, but coloring over it always made up for getting help finding it!) Lots of fun (ahem, junk) foods readily available also worked as great ploys to distract the young, and keep awake the old.

I feel like conference was a success for the mere fact that Raymond can now recognize by face all the first presidency. And because Ginny can say their names (so cute) and would chant over and over "prophet time" and point to the screen. What can I say? I am wooed endlessly by the cuteness of my children.

And it was a success because it helped me to put my feet back under myself a little bit. So far (of course I need to go back and read/watch a few that I was too distracted during) my favorite talks were President Packer (never fails to unashamedly say it like it is. Rock on.), Elder Holland, and Elder Ballard.

Being in the midst of a(nother) pregnancy and sometimes feeling a little stressed about day-to-day living, and what lays ahead when this little fellow comes, it was comforting to hear so many messages about the family; so many reminders that choosing to have children (even when it seems extremely unpopular to do so, not to mention down right hard) is the right choice; so many uplifting words about the happiness and blessings that will come from adding another to our little flock.

Isn't it amazing how we always hear just what we need to hear? I'm sure some of you are wondering when there were even messages on the family since it wasn't what you needed to hear most. But they were loud and clear for me. And I feel buoyed up and grateful for the "lot in life" that is mine right now.

I hope that conference weekend was uplifting and "successful" at your house too.