Prunes

We fed Jonathan prunes for the first time today. I was so hoping to get a funny reaction on film since I figured he'd hate them. This was all I got...

Gunshow

Ok, Lindsey... Per your request, here are some pics of Gunner (the best dog in the world). No bias. :)

For those of you who don't know, Gunshow is a 5 year old brindle pit bull and I've had him since he was only 2 1/2 to 3 weeks old. The country boys I bought him from told me he was 6 weeks old, but they lied. People always freak out when I tell them he's a pit bull. The first thing out of their mouths is, "Aren't you scared he's gonna eat your baby?!" I just laugh at them. The only dog I've ever been bitten by is a dang chihuahua! Those things are vicious! Gunner is more scared of his shadow than anything! He's the absolute worst guard dog. If a stranger were to come into our house uninvited, all he'd have to do his throw a toy to Gunner and he'd be home free. Gunner would probably help him steal things! But, he's the best fetcher. He can do flips gymnasts only dream about when a ball is thrown to him! I'm proud to say I taught him everything he knows! :)

These were taken earlier today. Please don't pay attention to the massive amount of laundry on the couch or toys on the floor! My house is overrun!

We hope Gunner eventually lets Jonathan ride him like a horse. Maybe that can be one of his Halloween costumes in the future. :)

Gunner's actually really good about knowing which toys are his and which are Jonathan's.

Good News...

Yeah! I found out today I have an internship lined up! Woo hoo! It is at The Golf Club Castle Hills in Lewisville. Check it out at http://www2.cybergolf.com/eaglsites/courses/layout9.asp?id=167&page=2992. I'm so excited!

It's funny how things work out. I really feel like the Westin cancelling on me turned out to be a true blessing. My classmate, Rachel helped me set this internship up. She is the Food & Beverage Director there and is doing her internship right now. She'll be my boss over the course of the semester which is great because since she'll have already taken the class, she'll know exactly what all my assignments will entail. If I had done it at the Westin, I kinda would have been on my own. So yay! Thank you Heavenly Father!

This year has truly been a growing and learning experience in my faith in both Heavenly Father and in myself. I have learned to trust in my instincts and understand that I can receive personal revelation. I am totally about to give a shout out to the missionaries who so knowingly persisted in my coming to know Jesus the way I do now... Nielson, Leishman & Lee! Thank you! I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for y'all. Man! I don't know what's gotten into me lately. What a sap! :)

Bathtime is my favorite time

Jonathan is super cute about his baths. He's obsessed with one of his many rubber duckies. He loves to grab it while it floats in the water and put the whole head in his mouth. It's hilarious! I don't have a picture of it yet, but I'll try. He also has an adorable robe that my friend, Lauren gave him. This is him after bathtime, just cute as can be!

God's country

This is what I see whenever I'm driving home from the ranch at sunset. Probably one of my favorite sights...

Teeny feet

I don't know why but I love this picture. Just thought I'd share...

They grow up so fast...

It is such a joy watching Jonathan grow and learn. It's like I can see the little gears in his head turning, taking everything in. He can become so focused on something and it's like he studies every last detail about it and registers it somewhere in his little memory box. He's just now becoming interested in Gunner, our dog. Whenever Jonathan's on the couch and Gunner comes up to him, he reaches for Gunner and tries to hold his face in his teeny little hands. It's hilarious because Gunner is not the type of dog who likes to be pet. He'd rather play fetch 24/7 so he just licks Jonathan and walks away and Jonathan looks so defeated. Poor little guy. Experiencing his first taste of rejection already! :(

Here are a few random pics of Jonathan over the past couple of weeks. He's so good at sitting up now, it's hard to keep him in his carseat. As soon as we set the seat down, he's grunting trying to lift his upper body up to see what's going on around him. And he REFUSES to lay down now. It's now, "Woman! You sit me upright, or I'll cry!"

He's making a run for it!


I like this picture. It makes me think of the confessional booths people go into on reality shows, like The Real World.

Lana fluffed up his hair before this pic. Look at how displeased he is!

Bad News...

Blah! I just found out that my internship at the Westin Stonebriar in Frisco is not going to work out. This really stinks because I have to have something by August 25th in order to graduate in December. So, on my knees once more!

Crabby baby!

Just a few super cute pics of Jonathan and his new crab friend!

Never did I think...

A quick post...

This week has been really hectic and Joseph and I have been stretched thin going to school, having a playtime video scheduled for Jonathan (it's for my friend's thesis - she videotapes me playing with Jonathan to see the differences between autistic kids & neurologically developed children), having friends over from out of town, etc... but mostly because Joseph has been out at his brother's and parent's houses helping them get things set up since they both just moved. It's been hard being away from him so much this week and I've felt kind of selfish. But tonight as we were driving home with the windows down, a beautiful Texas summer night on the ranch after being at Ethan's birthday party and hanging out with Joseph's brothers and their wives, I started crying. Not because I was sad, but because I realized that there is no other place I would rather be in this world. I made a life changing decision when I joined the church, and it is scary to think what my life would be like if I hadn't. I never would have met my husband. I never would have known the love two people sealed together could share. I never would have had Jonathan, the light of my life. I could have gone in so many different directions in my life, whether it was a modeling career, Olympic gymnast, cheerleading gym owner, teacher, etc. I wouldn't change my life for any of that. I NEVER thought I would stay in Denton after moving here in 2000. I was here for school and as soon as I graduated, I was peacin' out! And then I met the missionaries... And then I met Joseph... I am perfectly content with where I am and I want for nothing. Not a lot of people can say that, and I know I am blessed. What an amazing feeling I had tonight. Just thought I'd share...

Go America!

For the Fourth of July, we went to our church's picnic and I was in charge of helping the kids play water balloon volleyball. They had a blast throwing the flimsy water balloons over the net to one another and getting drenched! It was fun to watch. I can't wait until Jonathan is old enough to enjoy such craziness! Joseph walked Jonathan to the church about an hour after I got there and we just hung out talking to friends. Below are some of my favorite pictures I've taken of Jonathan so far. I hope the quality is good because I didn't have my camera on me so these are from my iPhone. Thank goodness I always have it with me otherwise so many cute moments would pass by without any documentation!

I think he looks like he's on a rollercoaster ride in this one.

This is his baby bird face. He always has his mouth open when he gets excited which is quite often! Either that or he was trying to eat my phone. It could be either or!

And here is my absolute favorite picture. This one is my wallpaper on my phone! How stinkin cute can he be?! "Go America!" is all I think of when I see his face and his little outfit! He's so happy for our freedoms, it's written all over his face! :)

My heart belongs to you...

I have the funniest husband in the world! Just the other night, we decided to have ice cream as our late night snack. Joseph said he'd take care of it and proceeded into the kitchen. He then starts to perform his own "cooking" show, giving me tips on how to scoop the perfect ball of ice cream! It was hysterical! I know I'm not doing it justice, but I was practically rolling on the floor, laughing!

Also, take a look at this picture. Check out what's inside the baggie - a chicken breast in the shape of a heart! ~ Yet another Joseph funny!

Baby Beluga

Today my mom came up to visit and we spent the day at the pool. She works so hard and is really trying to graduate so I was glad to get her for the day and just relax! She hadn't seen Jonathan swim yet and I was excited to see her tricks with him since she taught my brother and me to hold our breath at such a young age. You'll have to excuse the sound on the video. There were contractors ripping up the floor in Honey Hall so that's what that banging is.

My mom "Vivi" and Jonathan
Such a ham!
That looks about right... Mom & baby both have their mouths open! Always...
Fake cough!