What to blog about...

I'm having a "bloggers" block lately. I feel we haven't done anything exciting to post about besides the usual. Ryah is now three months old and it makes me sad how fast time has gone by, but then again so excited. She is at a really fun stage. She's becoming more interactive, smiling all the time, talking, and best of all is sleeping almost 12 hours at night. We put her down around 7:30 and she doesn't get up until around 6:30 or 7 in the morning...it is heavenly. I have to admit, I've been horrible at taking pictures lately or else I would post them. I just seem to get caught in the moment with her and forget to capture those priceless times on camera. She has started a really funny thing, though. We have a pink bouncer with toys that hang down and flowers that light up. She realized when she sits in a certain position, she can kick her feet at her toys and they move. She gets so giddy to the point of laughing when she does kick them, it's hilarious. It seems everyday brings something new, we just love her to death.
As for Jared and me, we've been busy with everyday life stuff. I've been extremely busy with Young Womens and I owe a huge thanks to my awesome hubby for putting up with my frequent absence; it would be impossible to do this calling without the support. Also, I owe big thanks to my mom who helps with Ry as well. It is a huge relief knowing Jared and I have such a large support system to help us if something comes up or we want to go on a date. We don't know what we'd do without our family.
As for Jared, he's been up to the usual. Even with these down times in the industry, he does all he can to provide for us. He did find out he can't use the elk tag he just purchased which really bummed him out. I guess since he drew on a limited entry archery elk tag, he can't hunt the rifle this year. He looks forward to hunting every year and I think he was hoping to get an elk this time around since he wasn't able to get one a few weeks back. I told him at least he has a fun family camping trip to look forward to in a week. I know it isn't anything close to the hunt, but I could set up decoys and we could pretend he is hunting. I don't think he finds that too humorous, though.
Well, that's basically our life the last two weeks. Oh, one last thing...we were able to finally go on a much needed date...thanks Chris for such a fun time and my parents for taking the little one. Jared and I really enjoyed ourselves. I'll be sure and post some pics in the next couple days.

Harder than I thought...

So, I've had my first official tag...thanks Chris!!!

Eight things I am Passionate About:

1. My Family: I love spending time with my fam. When ever I have some free time and Jared is gone, the people I always think of wanting to do stuff with is my fam and of course my cousin Chris. It's so fun to be surrounded with such awesome people!!!
2. My Religion: I've come to realize the importance as I've gotten older and especially now that we have Ry.
3. Shopping: I know this won't be a shocker to some people...especially Jared. It's not that I have to go to buy stuff, I just like to walk around most of the time. In fact, my cousin and I have planned summer trips to Cali and we always make sure we have a day to go to the beach, lounge, etc. In the end, we always end up shopping every single day. We know the transit system from mall to mall in San Diego like the back of our hand.
4. Sweets: I have a horrible sweet tooth. Because I don't want to feel like a pig, I'll often times buy me a candy bar a week and eat one square of chocolate per day. I do stick to the one piece, however, I eat other crap which probably amounts to eating the whole candy bar in one day. The worst is when you drive to the Chocolate Factory and they're out of chocolate covered strawberries, or you find out one chocolate covered strawberry is $8, but it sure was delicious.
5. Jared: I realize this one probably fits in with my family passion, but Jared is definitely top on my list. He is the best guy ever. I was really the one who lucked out in the end. He would do anything for us.
6. Piano: I am not the best at it, but I love to sit and play. I played a lot when I was pregnant with Ryah and now when I play, I lay her by me and she just sits there; it is extremely relaxing.
7. Reading: I've been doing this for years with textbooks, but I'm hoping I can venture into "real" books given some more free time. Although, I think that's all consumed with being in Young Womens. The last time I sat down and read a book cover to cover was when I went to Cali last summer. One of the most relaxing things I did was sit by the pool and read a whole book cover to cover in a matter of hours.
8. Learning: This one probably sounds weird, but I looooove to learn. I think I would take one class in college the rest of my life if I could.

Eight Words or Phrases I say Often:
1. "I don't care" (Jared hates it, but often times I really don't.)
2. "Whatever"
3. "Jar"
4. "I will do it" (It usually ends up with my mom assisting me somehow.)
5. "Are you for real?"
6. "Sorry" (I don't know why, but I usually take all the screw ups upon myself.)
7. "Yeah right" (Usually to Jared because he never tells me the truth...ever)
8. "lol" (In text messaging or email")

Eight things I have learned from my past:
1. Be careful who you trust.
2. Just because they're family, doesn't mean they won't take advantage of you.
3. Timing is everything.
4. Live as though every day was your last. (I still need to work on this.)
5. Don't take everything so personal...often times people don't mean it the way you take it.
6. You usually end up saying and doing things with your kids that your parents did with you.
7. Money isn't happiness.
8. Your independency is put in check once you have a kid...I rely on Jar so much now.

Eight places I would love to go or see:
1. Hawaii
2. Take Jared to Disneyland
3. Fishing in Alaska
4. The biggest shopping mall in America...is it in Minnesota???
5. New York
6. Bahamas
7. Chicago to take Jared to another Bears game.
8. Some place fun with the fam

Eight things I currently need or want:
1. Paint my bedroom and buy new bedding.
2. Wash my car
3. Win some PVC awards
4. Go on a date with my hubby.
5. Rip out two of my flower beds.
6. Find out what the Sheni's are having.
7. New carpet...I know our house is newer, but we didn't pick out the best carpet because we weren't planning on being here this long.
8. Whitening Strips

Eight people I tag:
1. Tiff
2. Bryndie
3. Kiesha
4. Whitney
5. Chicka
6. Katie
7. Jeni Jo
8. Anyone who wants to!!!

This was actually a lot harder then I thought...fun, though.

What Have We Been Up To...

Life has been busy the last week, however, it's not like it's been crazy with exciting stuff, just the typical day to day stuff. Jared went hunting this last week, so Ry and I spent some "quality" time together. (Not like we don't that everyday anyway) We hung out with my sisters, did some shopping, went on a lot of walks, etc. We do have a slight problem when Jared leaves, Ryah must think it's never bedtime. Jared usually does the bedtime ritual thing with her since he's gone all day. (He actually was the one who said he wants to) Anyway, every night I rock her to sleep, put her in her bed, and within a matter of minutes I hear her talking. I sneak in her room and sure enough she's awake and has a grin from ear to ear...it's so funny. I try the same thing over and over, but it always ends the same. Finally, I resorted to bringing her to bed with me, and by about midnight, twelve thirtiesh, she's still awake. I really think she really is familiar with her routine which amazes me because I must've underestimated her "intelligence."

Here is a picture of her just happy as can be around midnight...I, on the otherhand, am dragging. The nice thing is once Jared gets home she starts sleeping again from about eight thirty to four thirtiesh, it's so nice.

Over the last week, Ryah has also been starting to get good control of her hands, it makes me sad because that means she's getting bigger, but yet it's fun at the same time because she is getting bigger. I think she might end up being a lefty like her dad. At first she was using her right hand, but now it's more her left, and she has better control of her left. Jared has this weird notion that lefty's are smarter, so he's excited. I guess we'll see what the near future brings.

As for the life of Jared and I, it's been busy. I was called into the Young Women Presidency, which is a bit scary. I don't feel "old" enough to be in with those girls. I had meetings and/or activities nearly everyday last week and Jared was awesome about everything. He took Ry and didn't complain one time. He even made sure he was home during the early afternoon's on some days...I feel very fortunate he's been able to have his own business which has allowed himthe flexibility to spend the time with us. Other than that, I've been doing the typical day to day stuff with Ry, keeping up on the house, and working from home for Faja Edwards. Jared has been busy trying to find time to go hunting in between his busy work schedule. Unfortunately, his hunt ended Friday and he didn't get anything. He saw a lot, but nothing worth taking home. Hopefully, he'll draw out again and it won't take eight years.

That's basically what we've been up to the last week...nothing too exciting. I do have to add a picture of Ryah I thought was cute. Jared got Ryah ready one morning and when I saw her this is what she was wearing. Thanks to grandma, she also has a Cheerleading outfit and a jersey. At least he did doll it up with accessories, he's a great dad!!!

This is probably one of the first pictures I have where she wouldn't smile reagardless of what I did. It's probably because her dad dressed her in Chicago Bears and she didn't want to be seen in it...JK Jared
Just a little side note, when Jared and I were dating I flew him out to a Bears game for his birthday. I set the standard too high for myself and haven't held up to that standard since we've been married, sorry Jar. I'll send you again.

Labor Day Camping

Since we bought our camp trailer last year, we take advantage of the long weekends for some much needed r and r. My parents also have a trailer so for Labor Day we all went camping by Nephi. It probably sounds extremely boring, but we had a great time. Majority of my fam was able to go minus my bro and his wife, but Jared's brother came to fill the "void." My grandparents on the Edwards side also came which made it that much more fun. Jared drew out on an archery bull elk hunt which is the main reason we chose to go to Nephi. It was a central location for the unit he drew out on. Jared, my dad, grandpa, my brother-in-law Zach and Jared's brother, Tyler, planned on going scouting majority of the weekend in addition to some golf games. On Friday we got up and fixed a fabulous "camping" breakfast (thanks maja) and then the men took off for a golf game and then hunting later in the evening. Us women sat around camp and enjoyed ourselves by reading gossip magazines, feeding our faces, talking, etc. We also decided to go into town to grab a bite to eat since the men wouldn't be back until late. On Saturday the men decided to go have tee time at the Palisades. We decided that we were going to go enjoy a little something ourselves, so...we packed our things and headed to Provo for a fun filled day of shopping. The men weren't too thrilled about us going, but we did it anyway. Ryah was a trooper the whole time. I feel so fortunate to have such a good baby...knock on wood. She never made a peep. In fact, she was completely content being held so she could watch everything going on, she must get that from me. My favorite job ever was being able to sit at the kiosk when I was younger so I could people watch. It was the most ridiculous job ever, but I enjoyed it. I think Ry has got a little of that in her.

She has made a major milestone in my book this week and has started to grab stuff when you hold it in front of her. I know it's probably a silly thing to think of as a milestone, but it just shows me how fast she is growing. She's also discovered her tongue which is the funniest thing ever. She is constantly sticking it out and licking her lips along with the shoulders of mom's shirts. I love it, but at the same time it makes me sad.

Here are some pictures from our trip:

Tiff and Ryah hangin' out at camp.

Ryah on the car ride showing her lovely tongue discovery. She does this all the time now.

Hanging out in our camp trailer waiting to kick the guys booty in a game of Cranium...no, they ended up winning us.

Me, my sisters, and grandma before causing damage to the bank accounts at the mall.

Cute lil' Ry before we headed home from camping. She is such a happy baby. Also, thanks Bryndie for the patterned headband, I absolutely love it and get tons of compliments. It looks so cute.

It always makes me sad when Labor Day is over because it seems official that summer is over. All the pools close, the warm weather leaves, etc., I think the only nice thing is Ryah goes to bed earlier because it is dark.

Thanks fam for a fun weekend!!!