PHEW.

*Deep breath*

I have now entered literally about 25 different giveaways trying to get me a dang Silhouette, with multiple entries and postings (on FB, blog, etc.) and liking or following this or that, whatever they told me to do...I only drew the line at actually opening a Twitter account so I could "tweet" about it...

...and I probably still won't win one and it will have been a waste of a good few hours.

But then, what if the fates smiled on me and I actually won? (You would hear me screaming, no matter where you live.) Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? And I'm on vacation out of town, so it's not like I had a bunch of other important stuff to do...

The fact is, I don't have the $$$ to use their fabulous "if you didn't win, you can still buy one for way cheap!" discounts (it's still two hundred stinking dollars!), so I can either try my darndest (which, trust me, I truly have) to win a free one, or definitely not get one at all.

I'm not sorry I did it.

I will probably cry if...okay, most likely when...I don't win one, no matter how sternly I tell myself to be realistic, but I had to try.

Giveaways galore

Entering a giveaway and had to blog about it for a double entry.

Also at another website, here.

Aaaaaaand another, here (grosgrain fabulous).

Next: http://www.theidearoom.net/2010/11/giveaway.html

http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/2010/11/silhouette-machine-giveaway.html

http://momsreview4you.blogspot.com/2010/11/silhouette-machine-product-bundle.html

(can you tell I'm serious about this?)

http://lovestitched.blogspot.com/2010/11/sponsor-giveaway-silhouette-sd-machine.html

http://www.decorchick.com/giveaway/silhouette-machine-giveaway-and-special-discount-code/

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/11/just-in-time-for-christmas-silhouette.html

http://bedifferentactnormal2.blogspot.com/2010/11/silhouette-sd-review-and-giveaway.html

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/11/25/giveaway-silhouette-sd-machine/

http://tomkatstudio.blogspot.com/2010/11/fabulous-giveaway-win-silhouette-craft.html

This one got me three entries! http://www.deals4dummies.com/2010/11/silhouette/

"Too late. Had your chance. Muffed it." {said with British accent}

Anybody recognize what movie that's from? Just curious.

I haven't done a "Jamie update" post for awhile now, and I know I'll be sorry later when I'm trying to update his baby book. I told myself I would do it this time, but I'm a couple days late. Oh well, at least I'm doing it.

Jamie at 22 Months

Weight:
about 23 pounds
(believe it or not, this is an improvement--he's a pretty little little guy)

Height:
I think about 33 inches

Sleeps:
About 12-13 hours at night, 1-3 hours during a mid-day nap (usually about 2)

Words he speaks:
improvement here, too!
Mama
Dada
Mamama -- Grandma (after me saying, "you wanna call Grandma?")
"Datun" (the word that means everything)
"Bo" -- Boat
"Da doh doh doo" or other variation -- Don't touch
"Mo" -- More
Uh-oh (whenever something falls, I gasp, anyone drops anything, even strangers)
Uh-uh
Wow
Whoa
"Ba-ba" -- Thank you (in the same sing-song voice I say "thank you" to him in)
"Uhhh" -- Up (only when prompted)

And he'll try once in awhile to make actual sounds to imitate the words we say, instead of just saying "Dat-un."

Words he signs:
More
Eat/Hungry/Food
All done
Milk
Thank you (sort of)
Hat (I made up that one)
Candy (he made up that one!)

Since Daddy had the idea to put him down for naps with a few books to look at until he's ready to sleep, he's been a bit more interested in them, but still not a lot. It's funny to hear the enormous thump of each board book being tossed out of his crib once he's ready to sleep.

We go to Wiggle Worms at the library every Wednesday morning, where he knows the routine well--he makes some of the movements with the songs, and at the end where each child is given a letter stamp on their hand, he hurries forward to the lady before they even announce it, fist outstretched. (He also usually goes back and charms the lady into giving him one on the other hand, as well.)

He loves to help. After his diapers are changed, he loves to take the wrapped-up dirty diaper and put it in the trash can (downstairs, non-poopy) or diaper pail. If we give him something and tell him to "take it to Mama/Daddy," he usually will hurry off. It's so sweet.

Jamie is very independent and wants to be a big boy. If he sees a cup, he'll beg to drink out of it instead of his sippy. He likes big portions of food put before him, though he doesn't usually eat them all. He likes to feed himself, wipe his own face/diaper area, and be like mommy and daddy in any way he can. He still loves putting his feet in our shoes, carrying around my purses, and wearing his own little hat after he saw Daddy wearing his. (This has been nice, because he wouldn't wear it before and loudly complained about the sun being in his eyes.)

He's also very needy and loving. He doesn't like to play by himself, and gets upset if he can tell we're not paying total attention to him. He loves to sit next to one of us (usually not on the lap), squashed into the extra space in a chair.

He has started to rub and pat our backs at times, just like we do to him.

He's fairly friendly with other children; he doesn't really play with them, but isn't afraid to plunge into the middle of a group--especially if food is being offered.

He definitely prefers me putting him to bed over Daddy, probably because I usually sing him a song from the Primary songbook.

He loves to see and point out airplanes flying by. (Since we're sandwiched between Sky Harbor in Phoenix and a smaller airport nearby, there are plenty.)

On Sunday when we pick him up from nursery, he had a picture of a turkey with a scribble on it and the words "I am thankful for ______________." Filled in on that line with crayon were the words "Mama and Dada." When they said, "What are you thankful for, Jamie?" apparently that is how he answered, whether he knew what they were saying or not. I'll be saving that paper. It's on the fridge right now.

I would add pictures to make this more interesting, but
MY CAMERA CORD STILL HAS NOT BEEN SENT BACK TO ME, HINT, HINT, BIG BROTHER!!

By the way, the quote in the post title is from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." Random, I know.

It's late, but I had to share...

...even if it's just with an infinite void.

I just went shopping at JoAnn's. (It's really called just JoAnn, but that bugs me. Saying "I went shopping at JoAnn" makes it sound to me like I went shopping inside some giant woman's body or something.)

Anyway, I had a $40 gift card. (Thanks again, Mom!) I walked in and saw a 90% off sign by some Halloween stuff. That was just the beginning.

I got some fun stuff for Halloween next year, a few things to make Christmas presents with, a few things to improve the cardigan I bought with, etc. I also used at least two JoAnn coupons and a Michael's coupon.

Total: $34 something.
Saved: $124 something. (!!!)
Money that actually came out of my own wallet: $0.

HECK. YEAH.

I almost don't want to take the tags off the Halloween stuff. It's so dang satisfying seeing $29.99 on a tag and knowing I only paid three bucks for it!

'Tis the season for gratitude posts

I know, you see these everywhere around this time of year, but I recently realized that I should be much more focused on gratitude than I have been. I needed to write it.

First off, small but appreciated blessings: I'm grateful that my sweet husband got up, got Jamie, and took him downstairs without my even asking him so I could have a little time up here to myself, hence why I'm able to write this.


The biggest blessing in my life is undoubtedly the gospel of Jesus Christ, including His love, example, and atonement, and the living prophet who speaks for Him. I believe that the laws of God don't change, but that people try to interpret scriptures to make it sound like sin is just a lifestyle choice, or an expression of individuality. I cannot express how grateful I am to have had personal witnesses from the spirit that the president of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is a true prophet. We don't worship Thomas S. Monson; we only love and honor him as a wonderful, righteous man who has been chosen to be the mouthpiece of the Lord.

The First Presidency of the Church: L-R Pres. Henry B. Eyring, President and Prophet Thomas S. Monson, Pres. Deiter F. Uchdorf

The older I get, and the more I see of the pain that inevitably occurs when we make choices according to our passions and appetites, the more fervently grateful I am every day to know that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have not left us to figure things out on our own. President Monson speaks for our Savior, and gives us the guidance and clarification we need in this "modern" world. His counsel, reinforcing what Jesus Christ taught, helps us to see through Satan's attempts to deceive us into believing that wickedness could be happiness.

I like this description from mormon.org: "While we can all receive revelation in our lives, an authorized prophet at the head helps us all to keep aligned with God's will in our day instead of needing to argue about the interpretation of former revelations. President Monson is a man with a long personal history of listening to the Spirit of God in his dedicated service to those around him who need a friend." link here.

Note: I realize that it may seem to some as though I blindly follow this man in the name of Christ. I can only say that prayer and the holy spirit are also involved in these decisions to follow this man, as well as the good fruits of his labors. I believe that anyone on this planet has as much right to have heaven tell them if what I am saying is true or not. I thank our Father that you don't have to rely on my words alone (see James 1:5 & Matt. 7:16-17).

I'm so grateful for these men, and for the twelve apostles, and all the other good men and women who give so much of themselves to keep the Church going. I wish I could fully describe the wonderful peace and happiness I feel when I have a chance to hear them speak. (Especially Elder Uchdorf, right, ladies? ;) So handsome and charming! :))

Well, of course there's a TON more that I'm grateful for, but I guess it will have to wait for the next post.

I think this video might have been from last year, but I watched it again and loved it and felt all warm and fuzzy inside, so I wanted to share even if I already have.

Our family will soon be growing!

Ha. You thought I was going to announce that I'm pregnant, right? I love messing with people. ;) (I'm not, btw.)

No, I just wanted to tell you all that my brother, Rob, is getting MARRIED! He and my sweet sister-in-law-to-be, Michelle, have made it official!

Congratulations, you two!

Family visit pics and videos

My parents and brother Rob came out here to the surface of the sun (my Halloween socks are going back in the decorations box without being worn once--still too hot :( ) to visit us a couple of weeks ago now, and I've been overdue on posting the pictures! All the credit goes, once again, to Rob--it's easier to just mooch off his work, since he's an avid picture-taker and I'm a slacker.

Just so you know, these are a bit mixed up, but you get the idea.

Jamie's evil laugh, where he throws back his head and sounds like a mad scientist or something.

My fam was here from Thursday to Tuesday, and on Sunday evening we went to the Mesa temple visitors' center. See Jamie reaching up to the beautiful statue of Jesus? (Saying "dat-un, dat-un," his word for nearly everything these days.)

P.S., I am so dang excited for the Christmas lights at the temple to be completed! We've gone over to help put some up once so far, and apparently the display is comparable to Temple Square in Salt Lake City at Christmas time, which I've only gotten to see once. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas lights, and the temple is beautiful anyway, so what a great combination--without the cold!

Anyone want to come visit and see them??

The Mesa temple, with its beautiful reflecting pool. This temple was completed in 1927.

One afternoon Rob, Jason, Jamie and I went to a nearby state park (which we didn't even know about, Rob looked it up) called The Lost Dutchman Park. We didn't stay long, since it was warm and turned out to be not the best play area for a 20-month-old, but it was cool scenery.

Rob got this ^ really cute picture on the way there.

Walkin' down one of the paths.

Some of the Arizona scenery

Whaddya think, should this be our Christmas card this year? Maybe we should go back and get more of a close-up.

Jamie and Grandpa. Jamie so enjoyed having more people around to show off for! (And yeah, Jamie does spend a fair amount of time in pajamas if we're not going anywhere.)

One of many cute pictures with Unca Rob

and with Grandma!

Jamie is the pickiest eater ever in his high chair, but he's such a little beggar with our food, practically no matter what it is.

The night before they went back, we tried to have a nice dinner at Black Angus, but it was the same day as we went to the park, so Jamie was tired and didn't last long. We appreciated it, though!




Thanks for visiting, family! We're so looking forward to coming to California for Christmas!

Old news

I'm still waiting for my camera cord.

Will you guys still care at all to see our costumes (that I worked so very hard on, or it was hard work for my low skill level, anyway) if the pictures aren't posted until a week after Halloween?