Jaks.. 1 Year Old (Part I)

Has it really been a year? I always new time would slip through my fingers once I became a mother, but I had no idea that the velocity would almost be unbearable.... I can't believe Jaks is already ONE. Of course... there is the part of my heart that aches... aches for the fact that I will never have that year again... that Jaks will never be an infant and that time will only move faster. But, the rest of the my heart, and most of it at that... is Celebrating! Celebrating in the growth and success that Jaks has everyday. I love watching and embracing his new achievements. Walking, talking... and yes.. all the new messes as well. He is so much fun right now and I love every moment!

The last month has been a world wind... and I'm pretty sure we celebrated and photographed this milestone to it's fullest.  I was trying to organize all my pics and put everything together, but it completely overwhelmed me. So, I made a truce with myself and decided to break it up in a few post. So here is to Part I of Jaks One Year Pictures! :) We took these while we were down In California. He was fighting allergies and the bright sun... but even with all the negative elements... I'm pretty sure we had success!

Oh I love him!!! I seriously can't get enough of these... they just melt my heart... oh and don't worry, there are PLENTY MORE on there way!

 

This would be Jaks letting me know he has had it...

 

Cali.... here we come!

House Totally Cleaned.... check!

Bags Packed.... check!

Behind schedule 5 hours.... check!

Ready to have an AWESOME week with both of our families in Cali.... CHECK!!!

hey sista... soul sista...

Well, it's safe to say that they aren't lying when they say... "absense makes the heart grow fonder." Being away from family has definitely given me a different kind of love and appreciate for every single member of my family... and although I could talk about each of my family members specifically.. (which I will some time or another) today I wanted to share a little bit about my "Soul Sista" and BFF... Shalei...

I'm not sure if it was the age difference, the fact that I secretly wished I had an older sister... so I tried to be the best one I could be, the fact that we slept in the same bed every night... and every night I would have to sing Primary Songs to her and rub her feet to get her to go to sleep, or because I was her only babysitter.......maybe it was all the time she spent watching me play sports... or the fact that she thought I was the most amazing person in the world and believed in me, even when my self worth and self confidence had been destroyed......or maybe.... it was all those things.... either way, I have been blessed to not only have an amazing little sister, but been blessed that she truly is one of my best friends.

Since the day she was born, Shalei has been a leader. She never wanted to do things like anyone else. She has had a gift for entertaining and has definitely been a light in my life. She has always known how to make me laugh and I have always admired her ability to let loose, not care what the world thinks and just be who SHE want to BE. Shalei truly is one of a kind and I definitely miss her sunshine and laughter in my life. She has always been my right hand man! The one I can always call on and the one who is always left standing by my side. Thanks Shalei! Which is why I'm just thankful we have forever to hang out.. ;) Shalei thanks for all you have ever taught me and for bringing so much laughter in my life! I LOVE YOU!

I'm also way excited cause this year she is running for Junior Class President! :) (Wow... I'm getting old! She will be driving this year...) Anyways.... we are way excited for her and this weekend I had the privilege of helping her with some things for elections. I always love helping her with these, cause it  challenges me creatively. It's extremely hard to come up with anything original... since student council elections have pretty much existed since the beginning of time, and the requirements have never changed. Every year the posters have the same stipulations.... and I would dare say every theme that exist has been covered....but we still did our best to find something unique. I really wanted her poster this year to "SCREAM" Shalei... which meant the design had to be  FUN, LOUD, BRIGHT, CRAZY, and CONFIDENT! And... well.....This is what we came up with!

  It definitely was a team effort! My Mom and Melody took her pics... I designed the poster.... and well... Shalei was the inspiration and Model! :) I am so proud of her and want to wish the best! Good Luck Shalei!! Love ya tons, Thanks so much for letting me help... I had a BLAST Designing it!!

Oh yea... and to celebrate!! I decided to give away those frames up above for FREE! :) All you have to do is "like" Signature Scrapbooks facebook page (the scrapbooking company I design for) and you get them FREE! Hurray! I wanted everyone to have a little bit of "Shalei" in their life.. CRAZY, FUN and FREE!!!

birthday bash and best buds....

Well it's official... Wes is another year older! This year ended up being unlike any other birthday we have celebrated throughout our marriage. Usually on our birthdays we get the privilege of celebrating it with both of our families. Which, we always love. But, this year.... besides the few people we had for cake and ice cream.....we spent the day with just the three of us. The weather was beautiful and to celebrate I took my hubby and son to the park for a picnic! :) It honestly was one of the best days ever. We have both been so busy and stressed that we haven't had time to just enjoy one another.... so if there is one thing we accomplished for Wes' birthday it was that.... we took time to embrace each other and soak in one of God's greatest gifts.....family.

I know there a lot of pics, but they tell the story so much better than I do. Hopefully you can get a glimpse of the relationship Wes and Jaks have. We have been so blessed to have Wes home the last few months, and because of it, Wes and Jaks have pretty much been inseparable. Jaks loves his dad! I'm so glad I had my camera and that my Heavenly Father blessed me with a chance to capture the love and bond these two have!

We couldn't find any grass to have our picnic on (something I didn't know about until we moved here... the grass in AZ is nonexistent in the winter...not cool!) So we settled on having our picnic under a canopy.... I made Wes his favorite chicken salad...

However our lunch ended quickly. Jaks apparently knew exactly where he was, cause he took Wes hands and headed straight to his favorite place... the swings. And I think you can tell how that went! :) 

 We then headed to the slide.. this is Jaks favorite slide. And yes... he goes down by himself. I think some of the parents think we are crazy when we let him slide down by himself... cause it's no short slide... but he's never scared. He marches himself right up to the slide, sits down, and off he goes. :)

We then had to go exploring and eat, chew, climb and grab everything that was in site.

And last but not least... I saved my favorites for last. It amazes me when I watch Jaks with Wes.... As long as Wes is by his side.... Jaks believes he is invincible! He has no fear and feels as though he can do anything! I also watch the same little boy hesitate with timidness and fear whenever he is left to do something by himself.... It's amazing. He already knows his dad is Superman! Which is funny,  cause I too feel invincible with Wes by my side. And for that... I can't thank him enough. I love you Wes! Thanks for the amazing husband and father you are. Jaks and I are the luckiest people ever!

Happy Birthday!

i hope they call me on a mission.....

so i have started about three times to post these pictures, and all three times i had heart felt things to say. the first time was my thoughts about service, the second about missionary work and the third was just about how blessed i feel to have one of God's choice spirits in my home.... but all three times i got interupted and was unsuccessful at actually posting the pics.... so no more deep thoughts...no story behind the suit or what caused me to want these pictures.....i think they speak for themselves. so here are a "few" ;) pictures i took in december....enjoy!