The Rhoads Rodeo

Fall Fun

2011-11-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

Colton checkin out his candy stash at the ward's Trunk or Treat. When he would go up to a trunk he would say "treat" and try to give them a kiss...he catches on fast!

We may have a future pilot on our hands. Colton LOVED the helipoter, "heya-tter." He RAN to it wouldn't let the other kids have their turn. It was so cute to see him so fascinated. He has seen a few helicopters since then and gets just as excited!

Colton toting around his card he got in the mail from Grammy. He LOVES getting mail. He goes to the mailbox with Daddy everyday and LOVES when it's for him :-)

Does this smile say enough?

Colton and his friend Peyton having a mischievous moment on the helicopter!

He is such a monkey!!

Colton drug the helicopter pilot into the backseat and he took the driver seat! lol He was a good sport as Colton pushed EVERY button in there!

Trying to drag him away...

Now we are on to the firetruck!

Watching the helicopter take off!!!

He would love one of these!

Lots of Halloween cheer this year! :-)

Colton thought you just kind of hung out after you got candy. He's not a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy.

Colton with his ONE happy face of the night...

We have had some beautiful weather this fall so far and have gotten a chance to enjoy it! We went to the Trunk or Treat and Taylor's Fall Festival and a few fall pot lucks with friends. I have just really enjoyed this fall so far in spite of how sick and busy we have been,

Colton is as OPINIONATED as ever. That boy never fails to amaze me at how head-strong he is. Lately he has taken to mumbling something and then sticking his finger in my face and saying, "no, no not" --his way of telling me no way mom.... He scales the bathtub, climbs on everything, NEVER wants to sit in his car seat and he is getting to "big" for his booster seat and wants to sit with us at the table. It looks like child abuse when I try to strap him in, oh and don't get me started on diaper changes...it's WW3!

His laughter is just as intense. He loves to play and joke and tease. Colton is starting to learn his friend's names and do more playdates. It is so amazing to watch him discover the world and run to me with his happiness, his worries, his sadness and MAJOR tantrums... I wouldn't trade it for the world an am in awe how the Lord designed families and the whole experience of parenthood. I feel blessed indeed!

The Life Lessons from Lightening McQueen

2011-10-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

He's not really a biter, but has chomped a few arms in his time. It never hurts to learn it again!

He was SO MUDDY this picture doesn't do it justice. We had fun though.

These are Mr Potato Head glasses...

Besides Lightening McQueen trains are the next best thing!

Loves to go splash in puddles and I actually have fun too! Why not?!

Sunday clothes from cousin Evan. He looked so sharp but he would NOT sit still to comb his hair or leave his shirt tucked in. What is up with that and boys?

He got up on the counter and was drinking agave nectar like a bottle! lol

I just realized that when I am talking to Colton and persuading him to do what I want him to do, I just have to mention that Lightening McQueen does it. Last night for example I couldn't get him to take some medicine so I put in in a cup with a straw and had Lightening McQueen drink it instead and then he wanted more! lol I do that all the time though. He L.O.V.E.S. cars the movie and just cars in general. He is such a sweet little guy who is all boy and loves to explore and just LIVE. Colton walks around the house saying, "Mater funny. Queen chow chow."

Colton is such a great example to me in so many ways and although it's hard to get jack done in the house, he loves to be with me all of the time. We go everywhere and do everything together and it's just a blast. I do take (and need) my me time but I just love being with him. It makes me sad that we aren't around family everyday but blogs and facebook are the next best thing I guess!

He has been playing the, "where do it go? there it is" game and is so funny! We go outside all of the time but now it's, "watch" constantly. He would watch movie after movie but if I tell him we are going outside he'll jump up and go. I love seeing him learn new words, want to help me with cooking, cleaning...he's just such a little man.

Muah! Colton. I can't believe you are two in just a couple months!

Life's Simple Pleasures

2011-04-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

My life is so full and busy and I am learning to take more pleasure in the HARDNESS of it all. I feel like life is pulling me in so many different directions but they are so worth it at the end of the day.

Colton is growing so big. Teeth are coming in like weeds, he is talking more, communicating with me and just being a crazy boy 24/7. I am so blessed to be able to work from home and have Colton with me but it does come with it's challenges and challenges my creativity on a daily basis.

I wanted to just update a few things he has been doing lately and a few pics. Dusty and I are just busy away at parenting, school and work. Not too exciting...what would we do without Colton!

A few weeks ago Colton was push a car down the hallway and making car noises. So cute!
He barks like a dog and crawls around
He says a kitty cat says, "Pe-yeow"
Um pooped in the tub and tried to play with it :-)
Since we are on that note, peed in my shoe...
The other day he was fighting a diaper change tooth and nail (the usual) and I handed my cell phone to him and told him to call someone who cares. A few minutes later my dad called me saying, "Did you know Colton called me a few minutes ago?" hahaha !!
I love it when he hugs my neck tight and brings me close to him
Gives kisses all of the time
Has been hiding stuff all over the house: laundry hamper, garbage, his choo-choo train, find random things in my cabinets
He has started to pull my hand to things, ESPECIALLY outside and if we can't go out right when he wants to it's WW3!!
Just got his first pair of sunglasses and likes to wear them
When we go to the park he loves to climb and run but his favorite is to swing
He is a CLIMBER, I swear I think that he will have adrenaline junkie issues.... The other day he climbed onto the handle bars of his stroller and jumping up and down. He does this all of the time and I am looking for a trampoline...
We lay next to eachother and snuggle and he will put his arm around me and pull me close and kiss me and smile at me...[melt]
He LOVES to be tickled, chased, be scared (Logsdon genetics) and be active
He loves to help me. His latest is sweeping the floor and I got him his own little hand sweeper, doing dishes, putting on my shoes for me and try to do his own, cook, put away groceries...

What would I do without my little snuggle bug?

Colton at 12 months!

2011-03-15T21:09:00.001-07:00

OK so yeah, he's 15 months now, but whatever! All I can say is that he has the nickname "little torpedo" for a reason! I used to say I wanted twins but I couldn't have asked, or wanted anything more, trust me! Here is my sweet baby boy in his 12 month! Happy Birthday buddy, mommy and daddy love you so much!

Colton at 11 months!

2010-11-29T09:44:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for his dare devil slide stunts!!
Got in my purse for a cold one :-)
watched the entire A Christmas Carol

...have more pictures of Colton watching TV than anything else. I think I am just amazed that he will sit still and I have to just capture it!

discovered Sprout TV and LOVED it

real men have fake tattoos and band-aids

in TX he slept with his arms like this a lot. must have liked your room Aunt Candy

totally bit me hard - you can see all 6 teeth here...

now that's just cute!

LOVES letters and sounds

playing in puddles

looks like such a grown up stud here

TOTALLY veggin' here w/ mom

TV face - classic!

this didn't even get all of his bruises. he had like 11 at one time. he is in to EVERYTHING he can. can't look away for a second!

mom and Colton at Ole Miss tailgating - way fun!

Colton and Dusty at the Biology tent - those bio nerds know how to party...no really they do. it's awesome!

Colton and Daddy

...and he's off

exploring, what else?

loves when daddy makes smoothies

now he looks like he had a full day!

In just a few weeks Colton will be one. WOW is all I have to say. I am learning things everyday that push me to grow, love, cherish and prioritize...really prioritize; and I work on that everyday.

We just got back from Texas spending Thanksgiving with Dusty's family. We had a lot of fun and Colton didn't disappoint showing off :-) He was teething during the trip and it has finally popped through so he has 7 teeth now. 4 on top, 3 on bottom. And he knows how to use them too :-) He still bites me all of the time. He doesn't really bite many other people, oh and he has taken to chewing on girls hair. AND he got his first band-aid moment in Texas and fell and scratched his knee pretty bad - I felt like a real mom.

Some words he can say off and on are mama (sometimes mimi), dadee, dada, baby, wow, cool, and fish :-)

One of my new favs this month is he is wrapping his arms around my neck and giving me hugs, playing with my hair with his arms around my neck, he backs up to sit in my lap, he lets me read to him more and he is climbing everything he can.

We stopped at a mall to let him get the wiggles out on the drive back and there was a kid play area. Oh.My.Gosh. He had SO much freakin' fun it's ridiculous. We were there for at least 30 mins of non stop play and he cried when we left. OK. Check it. There was a slide that the big kids were sliding down and Colton kept trying to get in front of it and climb up it.

So I got him up the stairs of the slide and didn't slide down because it was too small for the both of us and too "big" for him and I couldn't hold him on the way down because it was like a beehive shape or something. Anyway, he started to climb straight up the steps / ladder of the slide by himself. He went headfirst, butt first, upside down...you name it and had a ball doing it!! He would laugh the whole way down and get up and do it again. Checkout the video on fb or youtube (coming soon). It's priceless.

Colton at 10 months!

2010-11-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

Well this is late but whatever...Colton knows why it's late. :-) He's the one keeping me busy!

As you all know Colton starting walking at 9.5 months and he hasn't slowed down. He still loves watching TV (I know, I know) and he has started to interact with the shows he watches. It's so cute. At 10 months Colton still had 6 teeth, wearing 12 month clothes and size 3 and 4 shoes. (IF I get them on him) Diaper changes and clothes changes can't be over soon enough for the both of us. I actually had my dad video tape a diaper change because it's just absolutely ridiculous how much he HATES them and getting clothes on; diaper changes are worse though. Yes, I have tried every trick in the book...he just doesn't want to stop doing what he is doing to get 'er done. I want to cry if he poops in public and I have to change a diaper by myself. He sits straight up, screams, rolls, arches, grabs the poop......I just don't even know what to do. I always say, "Quick is the word and sharps the action." (from Master and Commander) with a smile on my face to try and make it pleasant but it goes the same every time.

Colton's personality is BIG and FLASHY and GO GO GO, non-stop, wants FUN, loves learning, he's a touchy-feeling baby who loves to be played with, held (on his terms of course), only gives kisses to the lucky few, is starting to wave bye-bye, wants to get down and help me push the cart at the grocery (did I mention he's 10 months???), and not only climbs on the dishwasher but now starts it all of the time...dirty or not. I don't see a way to cover the button...

Your big day to 1 year old is fast approaching, Colton. Thank you for the wonderful ride full of happiness and growth for our whole family. I miss you when you are sleeping and can't wait for you to wake up so I can see you and start new adventures each day!

Colton at 9 months!

2010-10-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

It just keeps getting better. Each age definately comes with its own set of challenges but the love I feel for my family and my little guy is so worth it. I always knew I wanted to be a mother and desired greatly to have children. I feel so blessed to know that this is just the beginning. Granted, I wil not have 10 kids unless I have to adopt all of my nieces and nephews after a tragic accident or something, but to know that this is just the beginning to a life with my family is pretty awesome.

One cool thing is that he plays more independently :-) which is great for a work-at-home mommy. We have playdates all of the time here with friends and are still settling in but will have a great little home here real soon. I can't believe where life takes you as you do your best to reach for more and trust in the Spirit.

Some things that Colton has liked to do this month are:

climb in/on anything
shut doors
follow you to the bathroom and bang on the door till you open or stand there till you are done
swing at the park (1.5 hours last week)
play peek-a-boo
eat more finger foods (LOVES Olive Garden's breadsticks :-) and is a bread snatcher. If you have some in your hands and Colton is near, it's his...
smile and laugh
won't take a a pacifier anymore really - got sick and couldn't breathe through his nose and since then doesn't really take to it
has been taking ONE NAP during day....are you kidding me? When I just put him in his crib he usually just cries or maybe falls asleep. I sure hope this is a phase...
loves to go on walks and play outside
he is loves to open cabinets, get into the crackers and animal cookies and make messes wherever possible
BITES EVERYTHING including mommy all the time
yeah and SILENCE = BAD NEWS!

Oh how life wouldn't be the same withouth him! :-)

Colton at 8 months!

2010-09-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

It hasn't been that long since I have blogged. has it? Well, I do have a good excuse. Our little family has moved from Utah to Mississippi while Dusty attends Ole Miss pursuing his PhD in biology. We have loved our new place (minus all of the BUGS...well, actually Dusty loves that!). Colton and I got to spend a week + at Grammy and Grandad's and play with his cousins and have a great time! Every single day he was doing something new. He was such a fun little guy but he did have a few hard days of teething. His top 2 teeth came in while we were there and it really hurt him. But he did create a new little smile (probably because of his swollen gums) where he scrunched up his face like a pig to smile. It was SO cute!

Of course we had a blast. It was like one day he was standing up a lot holding on to stuff, the next day he was standing with no hands, cruising across the couch etc. He did NOT want to go to sleep when everyone was up...especially the night we had a sleep over with Blake and Eli. He refused and when I took him out of the room he wanted down and crawled so fast over to the boys on the air mattress and played till 1 am!! It was so cute!!

He started to eat chunky foods, stand, cruise, crawl FAST, really mimic you, click his tongue, takes baths sitting up, loves to play games and be tickled....I can't even remember everything. It was just a whirlwind of things that he did new everyday. No wonder everybody tells you to write things down. I always gave my mom flack for not remembering stuff but now I understand what sleep deprivation can do to you. And she must not have remembered because she did it 5 times!

It is such a joy to have Colton in our family. His energy is contagious! I love his laugh, his energy, his NEED for fun :-), his decision making skills - he knows what he wants; we'll leave it at that!, he LOVES to be with people and play with kids. I think he is going to be a great helper! He always wants to be right where I am and doing what I do. He loves to go outside and on walks, in stores or out to eat. We already have a few out to eat stories that are pure comedy....

We love you, Colton! Happy 8 months!

Colton at 7 months!

2010-07-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

Someone has been pulling himself to standing postion. He wants to "cruise" so bad but just isn't ready for that. He falls when he tries to take more than one step.

He likes to be tossed in the air and play "super baby."

Just kickin' it outside with mom and dad. He loves to be outside and explore.

Mom in her new duds Dusty bought her for their anniversary. Sorry if you get blinded by my whiteness. I need a tan in a bad way...

Giving mommy a break and watching Baby Einstein. He loves those shows.

Having SO much fun!

Played till he dropped!

Having fun in the high chair with mommy!

We sometimes wrap him up like this while mommy gets breakfast ready. He is up early and watching his early morning cartoons. He loves to watch TV....

Having a fun ride on daddy's shoulders

Another night Colton wouldn't go to sleep. He was up till almost 1 am. We turned on his favorite movie, UP, and he was giggling, laughing, oohing, rolling around...everything but sleeping. He was being so cute we were having fun staying up with him and just laughing.

This is the first little thing I have with his teeth marks in it. So cute!

Colton in his 12 month clothes! Such a big boy!

This was the first time that Colton really took to crackers. I had only tried it a few times but this time he was picking it up and putting it right in his mouth. Such a pro!

Colton loves the camera and he loves to chase me when I have it. He will crawl real fast and then pull up onto his knees and reach for it--every time.

He chews and sucks on his thumb all of the time now. I think it's more of a chewing to relieve teething rather than comfort but it's darn cute when he does it.

So. As you can see Colton has been a busy little bee. He is just growing up so fast. Month by month just flies by. I only have 6 more days in Utah before we head down south for school. I just feel so many things and am excited for the adventures ahead. I get to see Angela in a few short days and I am so excited to see her and see my old KY friends and introduce them to Colton. He is such a cutie. Everywhere I go I at least have one person tell me what a doll he is and I NEVER get tired of hearing it. Colton loves people. He is so down with life. He just is so precious to me and I love him so much. Here are a few things about my handsome man in month 7:

he is pulling himself into standing position....you heard me! He did this the first time the other day and now won't stop.

he is SUCH a FAST crawler. Colton will crawl to me and giggle and crawl real fast if I get down and tell him to come to mommy

he picked up brocken cracker pieces on his high chair tray and it took him two tries but now he eats them pretty good. it's so funny b/c he will put it in his mouth and then get a funny face as he chews like he forgets what he's supposed to be doing

he still loves to sing Itsy Bitsy Spider
he is in love with Ellie from UP and Word Girl from the cartoon
he loves to take walks and eat grass and laughs real hard when neighbor friends throw grass in his face (seriously I have never heard him laugh so hard)

he is getting those fingers busy with everything. each day i give him 2 household objects to play with besides his toys and he loves to explore them, eat them and throw them 50 times

he had a pool party play date and got to eat his first official whole fruit popscile and loved it. he just had to get his water warmed up before he had a good time. what can i say, the boy knows what he likes.

I love Colton so much. I am thankful for every dayI am given with him and so grateful to be able to be called his mother. Mothering is hard but OH so fun and worth it. I love you, Colton.

Motherhood

2010-07-11T21:07:00.001-07:00

I am so amazed each day at Colton's sweet, adventurous spirit. I love him so much and am just WOWED by his strength and abilities and personality! Oh, and he is SO handsome :-) I absolutely love being a mother.

It has taken me a while to be OK with the fact that motherhood got off to a rocky start for me. I had always imagined things a lot more different than they happened. Several BIG events happened all at the same time that weren't good news things and I felt like I never got the chance to enjoy the first little while of my first baby. I was also hit with post pardem depression which was TOTALLY unexpected and that jacked me up too. I have questioned my abilities so many times throughout the past 7 months and called my mother and sister more times than I have probably in my whole life. I am grateful for both of them and all of my girlfriends who have given me encouragement in just a exciting and transitional time in my life. I still get angry at times and sad when I think of how things "could have" been or "should have been" for me. It's easy for me to feel robbed of precious moments in the early days and it's tempting to feel that at times. However, when I step back and think of the kindness that others have so generously given me and my family and how much my Heavenly Father has taken care of me these past 7 months, I can't allow myself to feel that anger and it's replaced with an overwhelming love of motherhood and my ability to play such an important role. Each day through His help I am able to start replacing my uncertainties with strength and mommy intuition that is such an amazing gift.

Motherhood is the hardest thing I know I will ever do. It takes so much out of you but gives you so much. Sacrifice feels so good (most of the time....gotta keep it real here, naps and mommy time are needed too). It is so hard to imagine how such a tiny little body who needs everything from you can look at you a certain way, smile, babble and talk, learn something new and just make everything worth it.

Tonight as we settled down for bedtime, after some hilarious playtime outside where he was just laughing his heart out, I was rocking him to sleep telling him how much I loved him. I could feel his body getting heavier as he was sinking into a deep sleep. His tiny little hands made their way around my neck and over my shoulder and with a big sigh he was in a deep sleep. I couldn't let him go. I held him, pressing my cheek against his feeling his little body breathe in and out and felt my love for him shoot up and down my body and right out my tear ducts :-)

Each morning I am greeted with a song from Colton. He wakes up in such a good mood and ready to start the day. That helps me get out of bed. I love being his mother. I love how his zest for life and determined spirit just spill over into my day. There is so much to get done in a day. So much to juggle and work out. Good thing I am a creative person that is good at finding solutions :-)

The moments and pure joy and satisfaction I am able to experience with Colton now are helping get rid of those lingering icky feelings of not feeling like I got off on a great foot. What a lucky girl I am to be counted as a mother. What a lucky girl I am to have a son with such passion for life and is teaching me so much about perspective and fun and creativity (and patience!). Heavenly Father sure knew what he was doing with sending me such an amazing spirit.

Colton at 6 months!

2010-06-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

I am coming to understand more deeply the phrase, "Enjoy every minute of it because they grow so fast!" I can't believe that we are at the 6 month mark! Everyday is a new adventure. We have so much going on and every night I flop in bed exhausted from ALL that went on in my day. Colton is so much fun. He is ALWAYS down for a good time. Here are a few things about Colton on his 6 month birthday!

smiles all the time
LOVES to laugh
grabbing and pinching at my face and hair ALL the time
he can sit up VERY good on his own now
loves to tear up the junk mail everyday when we go get the mail
he is in L.O.V.E with Ellie from the movie UP
favorite song for mommy to sing is itsy bitsy spider
he has TWO teeth
he bit me for the first time tonight while nursing
we might stop nursing after tonight...hahaha
he is starting to drink from his sippy cup
he has started solids: rice, oatmeal, applesauce, banana, pears, green beans, peas, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, (likes to suck the juice out of watermelon)
gets frustrated if he doesn't have a washcloth to suck on at bath time
is up on his hands and knees rocking back and forth
army crawls; especially on our bed
has a B.I.G personality
will let me know in a flash what he likes and doesn't like
LOVES TV....need to break that eventually!
does FAST 360s on his belly trying to get toys
loves to be outside or in stores etc.
smiles at people and then buries his head in my shoulder
snuggling with me helps him sleep; I secretly love it but I would love it a lot more if I could sleep in the next morning cause I get no sleep!
loves the water still; can't wait to take him to a pool
...is still awake!! :-) He has been up for 5+ hours and he is NOT tired. Have tried everything and he is just up playing...what are ya gonna do? Blog! I mean, seriously, how can you not be in love with that face?!?!

I love my son so much and feel so blessed every day to have him in my family. It is so much work being a mother and all of the other roles I must call my own. It is so worth it and can only imagine how it will grow from here. Colton has such a sweet and adventurous spirit. I am proud to call him mine. I love you, Colton. Happy 6 months!

Colton at 5 months!

2010-05-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

One of his nights where he just didn't want to go to sleep...so he didn't :-)

I swear he grew over night....he looks so big to me here

tuckered out on his blessing day

getting ready to wind down

playing the game "whose the baby in the mirror" --one of his favorites. we can go rounds and rounds and he just laughs. for the whole "segment" see facebook :-)

i was in our bedroom and i caught him out of the corner of my eye and just had to take a picture. he was watching a new video, Baby Van Gough, and he would NOT take his eyes off of it. it was precious.

eyes on the tv as usual. he loves to play with this monkey from Grandpa Rhoads

colton has discovered his toes and plays with them all of the time

flexible like his momma

i just thought he looked so cute in his little shoes that day

the very first time I saw him sucking his thumb

peek-a-boo!

just hanging out and lovin' life!

Seriously I am surprised I get anything done because all I want to do is just love and squeeze and kiss and snuggle my boy. He just turned 5 months and has a lot going on. Here is a little bit about this last month!

He LOVES to laugh. Colton is always down for a good time. He gets this from his momma!
Every night Daddy tickles him and mommy plays who's the baby in the mirror and he loves it and laughs just like it's the first time
He discovered his toes and chews on them all of the time
He started to suck his thumb a bit...usually when his gums hurt or he is tired
Colton ate solids for the first time the day before Mother's Day
He has rolled over from his tummy to his back once on his own and is SO close to doing it again
Oh and Colton is doing great at sitting up with support
Colton wants to sit up all of the time. He loves to be in on the action and I have a feeling I will have an early walker/crawler
Colton still prefers sleeping in his bouncy seat. We have tried several nights without it I have gotten up about a dozen times with him....so he is back in the bouncy seat :-) He takes naps in his crib but night time not so much
Did I mention he loves to laugh and smile?! EVERYONE tells me what a happy and smily baby I have. Oh and they tell me how strong he is too.
He is starting to teeth and chews on anything. He loves the cold chewys
Colton is down for whatever. He usually just goes with the flow and is up in the mix
He is doing something new like everyday and making LOTS if noises and playing with his voice a lot
Oh and Colton doesn't like to be cold, also like his mother. At night he will wake up and if I snuggle with him and get him warm he drifts back off to sleep. I love getting to snuggle with him but it doesn't make for good sleep usually; BUT I sure do love looking at him and hearing him breath and make little noises and then scooch in close to me. Awww it melts me!

What a special boy you are, Colton. Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-13T22:13:00.000-07:00

napping on Mother's Day with the sweetest little snuggler there is!
After Colton's Blessing on Mother's Day

Dusty's BYU Graduation

2010-05-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

Dusty has graduated from BYU...officially! What a fun day! It was so great to see Dusty walk and get his degree. It was a beautiful day and I am so proud of Dusty for sticking through it and proud of myself for putting him through school :-) Some great things are in store for the Rhoads! Ole Miss here we come!

...more where that last one came from...part deux

2010-04-27T08:37:00.001-07:00

This was the last night at Tumbleweed. Colton just melted into Aunt Lissa's arms for the ENTIRE night. She was loving every second of it. They just snuggled so much!
hahahahahaha this was the picture that made us laugh like idiots all night. Hugh Daddy is always a good sport :-)

Lissa gave up Colton for a minute so Uncle Nunu could get some lovin' in.

Me and my buddie Evan

Melissa just eatin' it up. No, not her 16 Chimichanga's she ordered....snuggles. :-)

Grandad said that he wanted as much snuggle time as possible so Colton took a nap there on his tummy.

Aunt Lola and King of Cute

playin with Tad

Colton LOVED Kim. She got to hold him lots!

Nothing personal, Kim. He was just hungry and tired...

Evan and Blakey resting after long rounds of eater gun fights.

We have all seen that smile....it's never good thing!!

Nate and his tiny gril...

...more where that last one came from...

2010-04-22T10:52:00.001-07:00

They were snuggle buddies that GORGEOUS day we cooked out!
Colton LOVES his Grammy...but who doesn't?!

He did NOT want to take a nap that day, he was so into the action and checking everythingout. You can see Grandad winning that battle momentarily though.

Over at Aunt Lissa and Uncle Nunu's for a cookout on his tiny grill.

Colton kept making this face in the car as he was fighting taking a nap.

Looking up at his Grammy.

Grandad and Colton's favorite spot.

Mike really does turn into a teddy bear with kids. I love it!

Evan is puttin' on a show!

AuntE Linda and Mr. C

He was winding down for bed and I remember thinking how beautiful his eyes and skin were to me.

Grandad says burp and Colton says NO.

Snugglin' with Aunt Lissa. He loved that!

Colton would talk to Uncle Jason a lot. Jason would say something and Colton would answer back like 95% of the time. It was awesome.

Grammy just getting done making Colton laugh. It wasn't 60 seconds in the airport and Grammy had him laughing already!

Mr. Cuteness Comin' Through....

2010-04-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

Colton loved snuggling with Aunt Lissa. Of course her belly helped him throw himself over and get comfy :-P

Serisouly Melissa, like every picture of us is on that couch....

Colton and uncle Mike getting some one-on-one time in

Melissa getting practice for #2

Colton can read Evan's mind.....he is plotting for when Addison gets here.....

Lovin' the TV

Utah's funny joke of April Showers. Glad I was enjoying beautiful weather in KY

snugglin' with dad

"...if u like it then u should'a put a diper on it. Oh oh oh!!" All the single babies!!

after Church play time

He outgrew that outfit overnight!

I had the opportunity to take a work trip for a new job that I started and it just happened to be in Louisville, KY so I got to take Mr. Little Britches with me. I didn't have a chance to meet up with friends and not even all of my family, but I will be coming back in July / August so hopefully it will be a longer trip and everyone can meet Colton.

These pics are from home and KY. Charla, can you send me some pics you took with your camera? When I was over at your house I didn't have mine...

Colton is doing new things all of the time it's hard for me to keep up. I ALMOST forgive my mother for not making me a baby book.... :-) There is just too much to keep up with!! He just talks all of the time and he has come to be a snuggle bunny especially when he wakes up from naps. He discovered his toes and is always reaching for them. He also loves to laugh!! He is taking baths in the big bathtub with a towel laid out for him (we started this at Grammy's out of necessity) but he LOVES it. He just splashes and gets his hands wet and sucks away furiously! Oh yeah, he is SO CLOSE to rolling over from his back to his tummy. He reaches and grabs and pulls and strains. He is so strong!! He has the other rolling over down pat.

I swear he is trying to crawl too. I tried to get it on video but he stopped really doing it. He raises on his knees, reaches, wiggles, pushes. He'll turn on his tummy 90 degrees in just a few seconds if he sees a toy he wants. I hope he is not an early crawler/walker just yet....if I think it's hard now, I should just wait, right Charla?! I am not ready to keep up with that; but I don't think I have much say in the matter.

He is just such a joy to have in my life. He brings smiles and tears (good ones :-) and just rolls with his day with such spirit and zest. I love him so much and it just grows and grows. I am so blessed to be a mommy of such a wonderful, and handsome, little guy.

The Hogle Zoo

2010-04-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

Like Amy said, I know people just want to see pictures of Colton, so I'll make this short and sweet. Yesterday, I was offered a seasonal job in the EdZoocation (education) department of Utah's Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake. It's perfect, since I'll be starting grad school in the Fall, because it ends when school starts. It's basically an interactive interpreter of zoo exhibits/animals and live-animal public presentation kind of job that allows me to teach the public and zoo visitors about conservation and animals all day long this spring/summer. I'll be doing several daily live shows in their amphitheater and public demonstrations with animals that people can touch and ask questions about. I also act as an interpreter in their forthcoming seasonal attraction "Nature's Nightmare's", which is in their Tropical Gardens building. It's where they used to have the famous white alligator, Komodo Dragon, Lemurs, and the butterflies on display. Perfect theme for me, because I'm used to removing people's prejudices and fears of animals fairly often.

My mom bought us journals when we were small, and there are pictures I drew when I was four or so, of me holding snakes and large lizards. So, even though it's like an internship, this job is sort of a childhood dream come true. In many ways, this job is more fulfilling for me than being a zookeeper, because I've been keeping and breeding animals for the last 24+ years, and have sort of gotten bored with it. But teaching the public about conservation and helping others learn how to make a real difference is something that I think about at night when I can't sleep. It excites me, because I feel as though it is my purpose. I mean, the love of snakes has to be a gift, right? There will be lots of interaction with kids, which will be fun -- they even do overnight camps for kids, and families can schedule campouts at the zoo. The zoo is one of the few places where the general public, no matter what age, gets REALLY excited about learning recent findings in science, and it'll be such a privilege to harness that excitement in people. I'm thinking this will be a fun, fulfilling summer job.

So anyway, there will be a lot of opportunities for our Utah friends to stop by the zoo and give me heck during one of my presentations throughout this spring and summer.

You can read more about my job as an Eco-Explorer *here*. (Amy really likes messing with me about the job title.)

Okay, I said I'd keep this short. Colton, sorry to take up your blog space, little buddy.

March Maddness

2010-03-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

Colton LOVES tummy time and is getting so strong. He grabs, reaches, pushes, kicks and is rolling over a lot now. We love to have tummy time in our day!

This is Dusty with his Ole' Miss cupcake. Dusty has got accepted to University of Mississippi for their graduate program. He got a full tuition scholarship and a teachers assistant job. He is super excited and we will find out if we are going to take it soon. He is waiting for another offer from University of Texas- Arlington. CONGRATS to Dusty!

My friend owns a cupcake shop here in Provo and I got them to do a few custom cupcakes to celebrate! This is the Ole' Miss logo. Dusty was way surprised.

Mommy and Colton snugglin'. Look at those rolls will ya! No, not mine...

I am so grateful to have borrowed that double pump but I am SO excited to get to that 1 year mark where I don't have to use it anymore! :-) It's crazy just how things just change overnight and your life starts to revolve 100% around eating/pumping and nap schedules!

Grandma and Grandpa Rhoads on their visit. He loved getting to snuggle and play with them. It's so fun for me to get to see him with family. I can't wait till I come to KY!

snoozin' in his car seat

More tummy time!! He can push up so high nowadays. He loves to look at that book.

This was the first time he wore a t-shirt and sweats. That was like his 3 outfit in 5 minutes. Poop, pee and spit all in a row as soon as he was in something clean! haha I LOVE his t-shirts, Angela!

We call him jail-bird in this get up

Dusty loves to feed Colton. Sometimes Colton will just be looking at you and when you look down at him he just smiles SO BIG. It melts your heart. He kept doing that and I am so glad I got that on camera.

Well hello, handsome! Those eyes just melt his mommy and he knows it! I love kissing his perfectly shaped head. And his hair line is just so cute....I could go on here...

You know there really isn't much else to blog about other than Colton. No one cares anyway; they just want pictures! I can't blame them. Seriously.

Colton has rolled over a ton and he's grabbing with his hands and sucking on his fist 24 / 7. Yes, I do feed him, he just loves those fists! He's more than 14 pounds and cute as EVER. He is taking naps without being swaddled but his nap schedule is all over the place. Bedtime is like 9:30 or so. Is that "normal?" He loves to laugh and be touched and talked to and tickled. Dusty and I are just in awe of his sweet nature and love fills this house!

We had a great day at Church today. He was awake for like all of Sacrament and he didn't really make a peep. He HATES using the mother's lounge. I think cause the chairs are on the small side and he just can't get comfy. So I brought a bottle today and he did fine.

We took a walk today on a gorgeous spring day! We went to the temple grounds. I am going to miss being able to do that when we move. I don't think we'll ever have a temple so close again.

Enjoy the pictures of the most handsomest fellow there is!

I have joined the ranks of sounding stupid on video...

2010-03-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

Cut and Color

2010-03-08T15:34:00.000-08:00

I got a cut and highlights put in a week or so ago. I like it a lot.

Colton: 3 Months

2010-03-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

This is the pose he gets into when we wash his backside during bath time. He loves it! He sticks his little tush out all of time.

He's starting to really puff that bottom lip out when he cries and tears are coming too. SO SAD :-(

Daddy and Colton for some reading time. He loves to look at the pictures and colors.

Doing some tummy time on a beautiful blanket that Aunt Becky made for him. He is doing great with tummy time and head control and strength.

One of his MANY smiley moments with mom and dad. He responds so well to being talked to, touched and loves to be engaged in conversation.

Colton is such a happy baby.

Here he is with his Valentines present, Mr. Froggy balloon. He loves to watch it move and kick the string to make him bounce.

I know I am a few days early but I actually have time to blog right now, so there ya go! I can't believe that I am writing a 3 month post already. I remember amid a lot of tears in the early stages that 3 months would NEVER come, that he would NEVER sleep longer and that colic would NEVER go away. Boy was I a rookie. :-) Things are still hard but it feels more and more like he's always been with us. I love Colton so much and am just amazed at him and his determined, social, sweet and loving spirit. Oh, he just melts my heart all of the time. When he gets up at 6 am and I stumble over to him to pick him up and feed him and all I can think about is the sleep I am loosing, I bend down and say good morning to him and his face lights up with the biggest most adorable toothless grin and then I just don't care!

Here are a few updates of what's been going on with us all:

Colton is still the cutest thing ever
He is starting to mimic sounds we are making
Colton studies your face and tries so hard to copy your motions and facial expressions
He sucks on his little fist 24/7
He has so much more body coordination
He loves, loves, loves to watch TV...he'll watch an entire Baby Einsteins video and fuss if I turn it off too early
Either going to sleep or just waking up, Colton will reach his arms up really high and kick his legs out straight and toot every time
Colton loves to be in his activity gym now to grab at and kick all of the toys
Colton is sleeping for like 5 hours at a stretch now on most nights! He just dropped his midnight feeding on his own. Can I get a whoot whoot?!?!
He still loves to be swaddled but is getting too big for his swaddling blankets
His face lights up when you start to talk to him
Colton will follow you across the room when you walk
He still hates his car seat but is getting better and easier to travel with. Yesterday we went to a movie and later out to eat and he did great. He was just soaking everything in.
Colton is now wearing just a few of his 0-3 month clothes and is now graduating into 3-6 months today.
Amy is doing pretty good with her workout routines
Dusty and Amy started the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class
I don't think I ever blogged this but DUSTY HAS GRADUATED FROM BYU!
Amy got laid off from work and we are both looking for jobs

And on that note, I can't think of what else is going on... :-) We have had another FUN month with lots of love in our home and smiles of joy with our sweet little one.

Colton: 2 months

2010-02-14T07:42:00.001-08:00

Dusty thinks he looks like the fat caterpillar on A Bug's Life when he cries.

Right after Colton rolled over for the first time: Feb 13, 2010

kickin' it on the bed while mom folds laundry

Asleep after Baby Mozart

Watching Baby Mozart

tuckered out and asleep on the Boppy

Colton grabbed a toy and shook it for the first time: Feb 8, 2010 (Grammy's Birthday!!)

Shake, Shake, Shake!

Chew, Chew, Chew!

This was right after he was giving me some drama!

First day Colton went to Church: February 7. 2010

Another month has passed...wow. Colton is growing strong everyday and melting my heart even more. Colton was weighed the other day and that scale said he was 12 lbs and 23". He is growing out of 0-3 month clothes and doing things to amaze us everyday. Yesterday on February 13, 2010 he rolled over from his tummy to his back. I was so proud of him. He was laying on the floor on a blanket and pushing and kicking and trying so hard. He also grabbed onto some toy keys the other day and shook them for a few minutes. One of the many things that I love about Colton is how he loves to do new things, explore and exercise :-) He loves to just kick and talk and smile. He loves to be read to and look at pictures. He loves to have his face touched and talked to and talk back. He is making new sounds and you can tell he is gearing up to say a whole lot one of these days. He sticks his tongue out each time he sees Dusty as if that's their way to say hello to each other.

There are so many things I love about Colton, but here are a few:

I love it when Colton...

flashes his BIG toothless grin my way
lets me kiss him as much as I want
explores his world and soaks it in like a sponge
gets a determined look on his face and tries so hard to do new things
grabs on to me with his tiny little fingers
snuggles with me
settles down after I go to calm him. It's a special feeling when I can calm him down and know that I am meeting his needs and he feels loved.
stares at his handsome self in the mirror
gets giddy and happy when we talk to him
buries his face in my shoulder as if he is warming his cute little button nose
kicks around when listening to music
looks at me with his big beautiful eyes
scares himself when he is trying to poop lol
gets in the bathtub and relaxes and pees in the water
lets out a big squeal for no apparent reason
lets me know the very moment he doesn't like something :-)
discovers new sounds with his voice
falls asleep watching Baby Mozart
sucks on his paci and his fat little cheeks gets a red ring around them
grunts like a machine gun
stretches REAL BIG and sticks his little tush out over and over when he is trying to wake up
sleeps hahaha
lets me lay next to him and talk, play or snuggle

There are so many things through the course of a day that make me love him more and more. I am so happy to be a mother despite how hard I feel it is a lot of the time. I am so excited to have the chance to spend everyday with my little man and to have the honor to love him and meet his needs and help him learn. In my heart it's as if Colton has always been here and it feels so natural to have a family of 3...although I am far from feeling like I have it together :-) Thank you, Colton for being in our family and giving us tremendous joy each and every day.

Hanging with our little man!

2010-02-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

When Colton is really drowsy he loves to be put in his swing and USUALLY he will fall asleep!

Giving a crazy smile to mommy

Just beautiful :-)

Look at that junk in the trunk!

Kickin' it with dad

Snug as a bug

All I can says is that we are novice parents! HA He soaked us both in a matter of just 2 minutes!!

He likes his hands warm. Thanks Aunt Lissa.

Being this cute seriously has to be tiring...

Talking and smiling with mom and dad

Fat 'n happy

Well, Hello!

Look at that handsome face!

Now check out those eyes and lips!

Gettin' dressed up so mommy can go show me off to her friends. :-)

This was after a night where he was up kind of a lot and fussy and him and I were both tuckered out. Why doesn't he just sleep like that in the first place?!

Wow. Look at Chubs! As of February 3rd Colton was 11 lbs 7 oz! I guess he has a milk complex like his dad.

Those pretty blues melt my heart when he flashes them my way.

Colton in his favorite spot waiting for his Auntie...

Grammy's Visit

2010-01-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

Oh how I loved having my mother visit me (...us...OK, Colton!) She is the best Grammy in the world. She just knows what to do for me and for him and it was wonderful having her come and visit this week. I miss her so much already. Here are a few pics from her trip.

Colton, what else?!

2010-01-11T14:28:00.001-08:00

Happy One Month Birthday, Colton!

You sure did rock your mommy and daddy's world in these past 30 days! You came into this world with a bang and have kept us on our toes and out of our beds!! Mommy and Daddy LOVE YOU so much and are so thankful to have your sweet spirit in our home. I can't wait to see what other joys and memories your spirit will bring to us. You have grown SO much and are eating like a champ. Mommy did a happy dance in the wee hours of the morning because you took a bottle of mommy's milk from dad like a champ :-) That means a little more sleep for me, so thanks!!

You have grown so much this past month, packin' on the pounds and learning how this old world works one day at a time. You still have your days and nights mixed up a bit and you got the lucky colic and some reflux but you are not letting that keep you down. As a matter of fact you are letting that keep you (and everyone else) up!! You are a born optimist!! Oh, and you love Christmas trees. At night when no one can sleep and you are (somewhat :-) calm) you love to have mom or dad sing to you while you are wrapped up tight and sucking on a paci OR be put in your swing while the twinkling lights help you drift to La La Land and mommy zonks out for an HOUR on the couch.

You have had SO many people come to see you and ooh and ahhh over your absolute CUTENESS! Your mommy can't keep up with all of the people she has to send thank you cards too for their kindness in coming to visit, giving you gifts and keeping tabs on how you are doing.

This has been the most challenging thing that your mother and father have ever done so far, but we wouldn't change it for the world. We are eternally grateful you chose to come to our family and allow us the privilege to raise you and love you. Here's to many more months of that love!!!

Colton's Newborn Photos Take 2...

2010-01-09T12:16:00.000-08:00

Weighing In....

2009-12-30T19:16:00.000-08:00

At just 19 days Colton has gained 2 lbs 1 oz for a total of 8 lbs 6 oz! Wow. He is going to be a monster. He is also 21" today. Thanks to everyone for all of your love and support. I sure do love my little man. He is such a cute little thing, even if he does keep me up all of the time :-) Mom and Dad can't stop kissing him. More to come....

Colton's Newborn Photos

2009-12-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

jesseephotography.com

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T15:56:00.001-08:00

Love,

Dusty, Amy and Colton Rhoads

A few pics to hold you over....

2009-12-18T13:48:00.001-08:00

Colton Daniel Rhoads

2009-12-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

38 Weeks

2009-12-03T17:20:00.000-08:00

37 Weeks

2009-12-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

Wow...that looks big :-)

Colton's Utah Baby Shower

2009-12-03T16:36:00.000-08:00

Gift table with way cute diaper cake and name sign

The way cute diaper cake!

Scrapped-out cake mix w/ icing and frosting at the giveaway table

Giveaways for a drawing every half hour. Entry fee was diapers or wipes :-)

Delicious food table. We had hot chocolate with all kinds of toppings, fruit, dip and breads!

The hot chocolate toppings

Baby Shower invite. These turned out so cute!

I had a lot of fun and am really appreciative of my BFF Marcie putting it together for me. She did a great job and everyone had a good time!

Hello from baby Colton! I'm 36 weeks!

2009-11-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

Right at 36 weeks!

One of my friends took me up to the hospital and did a 3-D ultrasound for like 45 mins yesterday. It was so fun and I absolutely love getting to see him so much! I have gotten so spoiled! This is right at 36 weeks. I got a little DVD and CD of pictures.

2009 Christmas Name Exchange

2009-11-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

Here are the results:

Mom and Dad: Melissa, Nate and kids :-)

Jason: Jeremy, Chauntel and kids

Jeremy and Chauntel: Mom and Dad

Melissa and Nate: Mike, Charla and kids

Mike and Charla: Amy, Dusty and Colton

Amy and Dusty: Jason

One of the best articles I've ever read, and everyone should read

2009-11-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

Diagnosing and Treating

THE

OPHELIA

SYNDROME

By Thomas G. Plummer

BYU TODAY September 1989

In Hamlet, Act I, Scene 3, Laertes warns his sister, Ophelia, to avoid falling in love with Hamlet, whose advances, he claims, are prompted by fleeting, youthful lust. He cautions her against Hamlet's "unmastered importunity" and counsels her that "best safety lies in fear." Then her father, Polonius, begins to meddle. He knows, he tells Ophelia, that she has responded to Hamlet's attention and then informs her that she "does not understand [herself] so clearly." He asks if she believes Hamlet's affections are genuine, to which Ophelia responds, "I do not know, my lord, what I should think." Polonius answers, "I'll teach you. Think yourself a baby. . . ."

In this scene Shakespeare has given us the essence of what I call the "Ophelia Syndrome. " It requires two players, a Polonius and an Ophelia. It is condensed into these two lines: "I do not know, my lord, what I should think," and, "I'll teach you. Think yourself a baby." Ophelia does not know what she should think, and Polonius, reducing her to the stature of a baby, presumes to tell her. Polonius pontificates. He purports to know answers when he has none. He claims to have truth when he himself obscures it. He feigns expertise by virtue of his authority. But his real interest is power: he clamors to be a parent to other adults and exhorts them to become children to his word. Ophelia is worse than naive. She is chronically ignorant, chronically dependent, and chronically submissive. She is an adult who chooses to be a baby, one who does not know her own opinions and who would not express them to an authority if she did.

S.I. Hayakawa describes symptoms of the Ophelia Syndrome in his essay, "What Does It Mean to Be Creative?":

Most people don't know the answer to the question, "How are you? How do you feel?" The reason why they don't know is that they are so busy feeling what they are supposed feel, thinking what they are supposed to think, that they never get down to examining their own deepest feelings. "How did you like the play?" "0h, it was a fine play. It was well reviewed in The New Yorker." With authority figures like drama critics and book reviewers and teachers and professors telling us what to think and how to feel, many of us are busy playing roles, fulfilling other people's expectations. As Republicans, we think what other Republicans think. As Catholics, we think what other Catholics think. And so on. Not many of us ask ourselves, "How do I feel? What do I think?" - and wait for an answer. (S.I. Hayakawa, "What Does It Mean to Be Creative?," Through the Communication Barrier. ed. Arthur Chandler [New York: Harper & Row, 1979], 104-105)

Charles Schulz characterized the Ophelia Syndrome more succinctly in this "Peanuts" cartoon: (Charlie Brown's little sister says: "We've been reading poems in school, but I never understand any of them.. How am I supposed to know which poems to like?" Charlie Brown answers: "Somebody tells you.")

Psychologist Carl Jung describes this dependence on others for one's thoughts in the context of his discussion of "individuation." Individuation is the process of learning to differentiate oneself from others. It is a psychological "growing up." It means to discover those aspects of the self that distinguish one person from another. Failure to achieve individuation leaves people dependent on other, stronger personalities for their identity. They fail to understand their uniqueness. (Carl G. Jung, Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious [New York: Pantheon Books, 1959])

I have a friend who is fond of saying, "If we both think the same way, one of us is unnecessary." The clone, the chameleon personality is the Ophelia Syndrome in another form. One reading of Ophelia's suicide later in Hamlet suggests that because she has no thoughts of her own, because she has listened only to the contradictory voices of the men around her - Laertes, Polonius, and Hamlet - she reaches a breaking point. They have all used her: "She is only valued for the roles that further other people's plots. Treated as a helpless child, she finally becomes one..." (David Leverenz, "The Women In Hamlet: An Interpersonal View," Signs: Journal of Woman in Culture and Society 4 [1978]: 302-303) Her childishness is just a step along the regression to suicide, a natural - if not logical - solution to her dependence on conflicting authorities.

The Ophelia Syndrome manifests itself in universities. The Ophelia (substitute a male name, if you choose) writes copious notes in every class and memorizes them for examinations. (Erich Fromm, "Learning," To Have or To Be [New York: Harper & Row], 17-19) The Polonius writes examination questions that address just what was covered in the textbook or lectures. The Ophelia wants to know exactly what the topic for a paper should be. The Polonius prescribes it. The Ophelia wants to be a parrot, because it feels safe. The Polonius enjoys making parrot cages. In the end, the Ophelia becomes the clone of the Polonius, and one of them is unnecessary. I worry often that universities may be rendering their most serious students, those who have been "good" all their lives, vulnerable to the Ophelia Syndrome rather than motivating them to individuation.

And so what? Is it such a bad thing to emulate teachers? What if you are a student of biochemistry or German grammar? Then you have to memorize information and take notes from instructors who know more, because the basic material is factual. There is no other way. And this is a temporary condition of many areas of study. But eventually every discipline enters into the unknown, the uncertain, the theoretical, the hypothetical, where teachers can no longer tell students with certainty what they should think. It is only an illusion, a wish of the Ophelias and the Poloniuses that literary texts have just one interpretation or that the exact sciences be exact. At its best, even science is a creative art. Hayakawa quotes his good friend Alfred Korzybski as saying,

Creative scientists know very well from observation of themselves that all creative work starts as a feeling, inclination, suspicion, intuition, hunch, or some other nonverbal affective state, which only at a later date, after a sort of nursing, takes the shape of verbal expression worked out later in a rationalized, coherent ... theory. (Hayakawa, 105)

Most of us have metaphors - either subconsciously or consciously - of our student experience. I asked several of my students about theirs. One said he thinks of himself as a computer with insufficient memory. He is able to enter information but cannot recall it. One said he is a sieve. A lot of stuff goes right on through, but important pieces stay lodged. One said she feels like a pedestrian in front of a steamroller, and the driver will not give her any hints about how to get out of the way. Another described his metaphor as a tennis match in which he must anticipate his instructor's response to each shot. Another thought of herself as a dog jumping through a hoop. Another described himself as a mouse in a maze with no directional signs and no exits. Another as a child in a candy store where you can choose only one or two pieces to take home. These metaphors describe people at various stages along the way from Ophelia to individuation.

Talk is cheap. It's fine to say, "Learn to think for yourself," and it's quite another to do it. A recent Fortune magazine article described the plight of middle managers in American corporations. Driven by chief executive officers at the top for greater profits and productivity, many are working 70 or 80 hours a week and sometimes more. The article reports that the corporate byword for urging these people on is "think smarter." But since no one really knows what that means or how to think smarter, they just work longer. And people are burning out. ("Is Your Company Asking Too Much?," Fortune, March 12, 1990: 39-46)

Learning to think while still in college has its advantages. It may mean shorter working hours later on. It may mean not having a mid-life crisis because you chose to study what you wanted rather than something that someone else wanted you to study. It may mean becoming your own person. It may, purely and simply, mean a much happier life. I want to suggest six things you can do - six things I wish I had done - to treat the Ophelia Syndrome.

TREATMENT 1.

SEEK OUT AND

LEARN FROM GREAT

TEACHERS, REGARDLESS

OF WHAT THEY TEACH.

How do you find them? First of all, they have a reputation among students. They are known to set people on fire, to inspire them. They are known to be challenging, fair, and tough. They refuse to be a Polonius, they refuse to make you a baby, and they refuse to do your thinking for you. They join you as a partner in a learning and research enterprise. I recently heard a nationally televised interview with violinist Itzhak Perlman and his teacher, Dorothy Delay, at Julliard School of Music. Perlman, now 45, was sent to Julliard as a gifted child prodigy. He was angry to have been sent to New York, far from his friends and family in Israel, and he was furious to live in the Julliard student hotel, an environment that he considered unseemly.

The interviewer asked him how he had liked his teacher.

"I hated her," he replied.

Ms. Delay, a gentle woman with an air of complete calm, smiled into the camera.

"I hated her," he repeated.

"Why?" the interviewer asked.

"She would never tell me what to do," said Perlman. "She would stop me in the middle of a scale and say, 'Now Itzhak, what is your concept of a C-sharp?' It made me furious. She refused to tell me what to do. But," he went on, "I began to think as I played. My playing became an engaging intellectual exercise in which I understood every note and why I played it the way I did, because I had thought about it myself."

In that same spirit, Wayne Booth in his book, The Vocation of a Teacher, asserts that regardless of whether a teacher lectures or runs discussions, the "teacher has failed if students leave the classroom assuming that the task of thinking through to the next step lies entirely with the teacher." (Wayne C. Booth, "What Little I Think I Know About Teaching," The Vocation of a Teacher [Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988], 214) To this point, Booth adds three more principles that will help teachers and students avoid the Polonius role. Addressing instructors he writes,

1. You gotta get them talking to each other, not just to you or to the air.

2. You gotta get them talking about the subject, not just having a bull session in which nobody really listens to anybody else. This means insisting on at least the following rule in every discussion: Whether I call on you or you speak up spontaneously, please address the previous speaker, or give a reason for changing the subject.

3. You gotta find ways to prevent yourself from relapsing into a badly prepared lecturette, disguised as a discussion. Informal lectures are usually worse than prepared ones. (Booth, 215)

TREATMENT 2.

DARE TO KNOW

AND TRUST YOURSELF

Perhaps it goes without saying that you cannot know what to think if you do not know who you are. People go about self-discovery in various ways, and I can only share my own experience. I did not begin a truly honest search for my "self" until I was 40 years old. Then it became an obsession. I took personality tests. I re-read old letters I had written and received. I began keeping a journal. I wish I had done it all 20 years before.

I now keep track of myself and my thinking through writing. I write letters and keep copies of what I write. I have had two sons on missions, and I make sure that I say things to them not only that I want to say but also that I want to remember. Second, I keep a journal - sporadically but frequently. I never take more than five or ten minutes to write in it, and when I write, I write intensively. I write to find my own voice, my own thoughts. I do not worry about who may read it later. It is for me. I write about my subconscious as well as my conscious self, because I believe that dreams do much of my thinking for me. Here is a dream from November 15,1987:

Louise and I were driving through a sparsely populated, desolate area, The car engine faltered and quit. Luckily just across the road was a Chevron station. I knew the repair work was minor and pushed the car into the station. It was ready later in the day.

The service station attendant pushed a credit card bill toward me and said, "Sign here. "

I signed. "How much was the repair?" I asked.

"$963," he replied.

"$963? What cost $963?" 1 was incredulous.

"Well, the repair work, and we put in a new dashboard."

"A new dashboard? How come a new dashboard?"

"The old one was scratched up," he replied.

"Why didn't you ask me before you did that?" I was now screaming. "I won't pay."

"You've signed the bill," he said. "You have to pay." His voice was gravely, firm.

He was right. I'd signed the bill. I had to pay.

"Just let me see the bill again," I asked. "I won't destroy it. I'm not a cheater."

Reluctantly he let me take it. I could tell he didn't trust me. Other mechanics surrounded me and stared, sober faced, menacing. Heavy, burly faces. I looked at the bill. $963. It will take months and months to pay off.

As I look back through this journal, I rediscover myself. There are notes about my son's crisis with his mission president, a painful chapter, and my efforts to play diplomat. There is a love note from my wife, notes on a line from Blake's poem,"London," reflections on a painting in our dining room, a list of highlights from 25 years of marriage, a greedy wish list for ourselves, plans for a trip to Tokyo. a red horse chestnut blossom from a BYU tree. and a poem in reference to William Carlos Williams:

The chocolate hazelnut torte

At the Market Street Broiler

After a bowl of clam chowder

Makes more of a difference

Than that red wheelbarrow.

There is a tribute to shrimp scampi, eaten at dinner at Sundance on May 5, 1989, with Elizabeth and Daryl Pedersen:

Hail shrimp scampi, a flourish of trumpets!Shrimp beats the hell out of tea and crumpets!Shrimp and pasta and garlic butter,Divine crustaceans, you set me aflutter.

The point is this: as I write my life, I learn my thoughts, whether good or ill, conscious or subconscious. They are my thoughts, and as I come to recognize them I become less and less vulnerable to the Ophelia Syndrome through which others once dictated my life to me.

You can also increase your confidence in your own judgment if you take courses that teach you how to ask good questions, how to define the terms of your position, how to employ strategies of rhetoric and logical argumentation, and how to employ critical theory. Such courses may be elementary philosophy classes, advanced literature classes, or math classes. One of my colleagues once quipped, "If a course isn't about method, it isn't about much of anything." I believe that.

As you come to know yourself and gain confidence in critical skills, you must also learn to play your hunches, to follow your intuition through. You truly are the only one who knows what you think and feel, and you, consequently, are the only one who knows what feelings and ideas you must follow through on.

TREATMENT 3.

LEARN TO LIVE

WITH UNCERTAINTY

To put it differently, surrender the need for absolute truth. The English poet John Keats wrote a landmark letter to his brothers, George and Thomas Keats, on December 22, 1817. It has become known as the letter on "Negative Capability." In part it reads,

...it struck me what quality went to form a Man [or Woman] of Achievement, especially in Literature, and which Shakespeare possessed so enormously - I mean Negative Capability, that is, when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason.

I do not want to do Keats an injustice by oversimplifying a magnificent statement, but I believe he is saying essentially this: The world is a complex place, and absolute truth is elusive, indeed; the greatness in Shakespeare may be attributed to the fact that he didn't feel inclined to explain what he could not, but only to portray the human condition as he saw it.

This concept drives a stake into the heart of the notion that Polonius has the answers. Overcoming the Ophelia Syndrome, becoming an independent thinker, includes giving up romantic notions of the world as a place where everything can be explained. It includes giving up the need to be fooled into thinking that Polonius does indeed have the answers when he does not. I wish he did. I wish I did. I wish any or all of my colleagues did. We do not. We can only join with students and others in the pursuit of answers, and even then we must remain ultimately in some degree of uncertainty.

The corollary to this is that to treat the Ophelia Syndrome, one must develop a healthy distrust of authorities and experts. Experts disagree more often than they agree. Those who pose as authorities are as likely to be a Polonius trying to turn Ophelia into a baby as they are to have a real handle on what they are talking about. Is there a solution? I can think of two: First, for every important opinion you hear, get a second opinion. Second, in the words of the Lord in the 9th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, study it out in your own heart.

When I was in graduate school, I took a seminar on Heinrich von Kleist from Bernhard Blume, one of the grand old men of German scholarship. One day we were to discuss a paper by a classmate, Ken Tigar, on Kleist's play, Der zerbrochene Krug. The paper seemed sound enough to the rest of us. Tigar's argument was based on a description written by Professor Walter Muschg, the great Kleist scholar at the University of Basel, of a plate with figures engraved on it. Professor Blume came to class with a large volume under his arm. He opened it to a picture of the plate that Muschg had described and passed it around.

"Well," he asked, "what do you see?"

No one saw anything.

"Does the woman look pregnant to you?" he asked.

Ken's face blanched.

Professor Blume continued, "No. But Muschg says she is pregnant, and Mr. Tigar's paper rests on that premise."

Ken stammered, "I just thought Muschg would be right."

Professor Blume shut the book and said, "Let that be a lesson to you. Never trust anyone. You must examine the source yourself."

TREATMENT 4.

PRACTICE DIALECTICAL

THINKING

By dialectical thinking, I mean thinking in alternatives and, if possible, in opposites. (William G. Perry, Jr., "Cognitive and Ethical Growth: The Making of Meaning," The Modern American College, eds. Arthur W. Chickering et al [San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1981], 76-116.) If you hear one solution to a problem, look for an alternative solution. If you write a draft from one point of view, write a revision from another point of view. If you formulate an argument on a point, try to formulate a counter argument. I have one student who writes his journal entries in dialogues. The speakers argue with each other. He is thinking dialectically. If you see things from a male point of view, think about them from a female point of view for a change. Psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg defines morality as the ability to see an issue from points of view other than just your own. He cites E.M Foster's observation that most of the trouble in the world is due to our "inability to imagine the innerness of others lives." (Lawrence Kohlberg, "A Cognitive Developmental Approach to Moral Education," Humanist 32.6 [1972]:15)

And this is where your peers come in. They represent alternative points of view. Their ideas are as important - if not more important - than your instructor's. The most memorable hours of my graduate education were not spent in the classroom. Some were spent with classmates in the café across the street after class. That is where Vicki Rippere, my classmate from Barnard, introduced me to critical theory. Some were spent in the graduate students' room on the third floor of Boylston Hall. That is where Bodo Reichenbach and Mark Lowry debated hotly for two hours about whether Faust was a moral man.

You may have to please Polonius by writing acceptable papers for him, but your peers will teach you how to escape his power as you wrestle with them.

TREATMENT 5.

FOSTER IDLE

THINKING

I asked a friend of mine, a neurologist, how he thinks. He said, "If I have to tell a patient something hard, and I don't know how to do it, I sit in my office and daydream or fantasize about something that has nothing to do with the problem. When I'm through, I know what I have to say." This is a strategy for thinking by disengaging with the subject.

My wife, a fiction writer, gets her best ideas by taking long, hot baths. She doesn't try to think in the tub. She just soaks. Ideas float in of their own volition. Other people may take hikes, play basketball, or ride bikes. Still others may read novels or magazines. Idle thinking frees the mind for creative ideas. Hayakawa suggests that the creative person "is able to entertain and play with ideas that the average person may regard as silly, mistaken, or downright dangerous."

One of my students asked me if I thought television was bad for your mind. He said his father was always arguing that students in his day did more thinking than students today. I may have answered unequivocally "yes" to that question 10 years ago. Now I am not so sure. If television is a means of retreating totally from thinking, then of course it is bad. But it may be as entertaining and pleasant as a hike or a long bath. The answer is no longer so clear-cut for me.

TREATMENT 6.

PLAN TO STEP OUT

OF BOUNDS

By "out of bounds," I mean out of the limits that Polonius may have prescribed for you. Independent thinking means to question the presumed bounds of thinking, reading, writing, or learning in general. A colleague at BYU once told me that years ago as a student, in a moment of boredom and desperation, he wrote a final examination in the form of a rhymed poem. He got an "A."

My own best experience with this was two years ago. It was Saturday night, the last night of final examinations, 7 to 10 p.m. I dutifully carried prepared tests to my class on "Reader-Response Theory," a course for advanced undergraduate and graduate humanities students. As I walked through the door, Holly Lavenstein, a gutsy student now enrolled in a graduate program in film making in Chicago, met me. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "We don't want to write an examination."

Now Holly didn't threaten me at all, but the better part of honesty told me that the written exam I had under my arm was an exercise in futility. The students had already written three papers, a weekly journal, and complete reading notes. What more did I need to grade them?

"Well, we have to have a final," I said. My voice lacked conviction.

"Yes, but not that one," she replied, pointing to the stack I was cradling. "If you'll step out in the hall for five minutes, we'll give you an alternative proposal."

Obediently I stepped back into the hall of the Maeser Building and sat on the steps. There was a lot of talking going on behind the door, and I could tell the tone was earnest, the atmosphere heated. In about five minutes, Holly poked her head out and motioned me in.

"We want a group oral examination," she said.

"And how's that supposed to work?" I asked.

"You just sit and watch," she said, "and we'll talk about what we learned in the course. "I will lead the discussion. You don't have to do anything."

"OK," I said, "On two conditions: First, everyone has to talk; and, second, everyone gets the same grade as the lowest performer on the exam."

Those were two of the finest hours of my entire career. The conversation was lively and challenging. The class became united. People who hadn't said five words all semester were talking like crazy. Of course the group would have killed them if they hadn't. They talked reasonably, they argued, they screamed and hollered at each other.

When three hours had passed, Holly turned to me and said, "Well, how did we do?"

"'A'," I said. "The best 'A' I ever gave."

The point here, however, is not that grade. The point is that this class, as a group, realized that their learning experience was more important than the grade, and they were willing to put all of their grades on the line to prove it. Sometimes escaping the Ophelia Syndrome means taking that kind of risk.

Treating the Ophelia Syndrome has its price. Only you can decide whether taking control of your education, whether using college as a time to achieve individuation, is worth it:

1) It may take time. A student in my class said, "I don't have time to learn to think in college." He said it sincerely. I inferred from what he said that getting out of college on a fast track was important to him. He wanted to be shown the hoops and jump through them. One of the costs of thinking is time. It means enrolling in courses not relevant to your major or minor because you want to take some great teacher outside your field. Or it may mean investing more time in discussions with classmates than you want to spare. Thinking takes time.

2) It means tolerating confusion about insoluble problems rather than finding "safety" in the arms of a Polonius who offers you a security blanket.

3) It means possibly getting lower grades than you'd like while you take a challenging teacher or try something out of the ordinary on an assignment.

4) It may mean going against the advice of people you love. One student noted in my class that it was hard to grow up as a good child and then study something that worries or frightens your parents. At the end of Act I, Scene 3, Ophelia submits to Polonius: "I shall obey, my lord."

To all of this I can only ask, which is the greater price to pay: "To think or not to think?"

Dr. Thomas G. Plummer is a professor of Germanic and Slavic Languages at BYU. He delivered this faculty lecture to Delta Phi Alpha, the German Honor Society, April 5, 1990.

33 Weeks

2009-10-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

Well, what a week. That's about all I can say :-) It has been full of trials, but today was a much needed day of rest and renewal. Today at church was great. We had our primary program and I felt the Spirit so much as I watched the children, listened to and sang the songs and felt so much love that Heavenly Father had for me too. I had two powerful examples to me there at Church today and even amidst their pain and turmoil were still thinking of me and offering me assistance with something today. Just their sheer concern for me made me feel deeper faith.

I can't even tell you how excited I am to open up to this crazy, wonderful, faith-filled adventure they call motherhood! I feel the tender mercies of the Lord more and more everyday as I focus on the things that matter, and strive each day to renew my faith in Him and know that all of my temporal needs to come together.

I have experienced MUCH more hormonal drama this trimester than the others put together and Dusty is handling it like a champ :-) The baby is moving great and still kickin' strong. He has his favorite place to just get stuck in my ribs, and, although it's painful, I have to admit I still smile through the pain (sometimes :-) just thinking about him and how soon we will be in each other's arms.

32 Weeks

2009-10-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

Well, today is a day I can say I didn't want to post a photo. I have been so sick with indigestion it's ridiculous. Dusty was trying to make me laugh and he did succeed, but this is an in between photo. I am entitled to my off-days, right?! I felt great this morning and then, BAM. One of my preggo friends, who was due after me, actually ended up having her baby today. It just makes me a little anxious of not being ready and just knowing that any day little Colton can make his appearance. There is so much still left to do...not even decorating or any small stuff...I am past that. I just have to learn to go with the flow, something that pregnancy (and I am sure motherhood) will teach me one way or another. So, I guess it's better to learn my lesson now so we don't have repeat it over and over...I'll let ya know how that goes :-) Here's to week 32! May it NOT include so much indigestion :-)

Save on Shipping

2009-10-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

Dusty uses a service for his animals where he ships UPS and gets 30% off the total bill. They have a sister site www.allproshipping.com where you can get 30% of by shipping UPS no matter what you are shipping. Dusty has saved more than $500 by using this service. You just need a way to weigh your box and know the dimensions. You pay online, print out the shipping label and then drop it off at any UPS or Staples UPS-type shipping center or schedule a pick up from your house.

I know some of you guys would great benefit from this and with Christmas (and Colton's arrival... whoops, did I say that?) just around the corner, I thought I'd share :-)

30 Weeks!

2009-10-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am at 30 weeks. I think everything about pregnancy is crazy, exciting, faith-filled...I could go on. Today has been one of those days where I have had to really cling to faith to remember that things will work out and somehow all of the issues, big and small, will be taken care of. Dusty and I both feel like a mac truck hit us most days these days. haha I know, I know, just wait till Colton comes...

Life is full of so much uncertainty right now with EVERYTHING but I don't want to dwell on things that are going wrong so much as I feel compelled to say how much I love family. I live for family. Everything I strive for is to become better for myself so I can in turn be my best for my family. I am glad to know that I know Heavenly Father knows my heart, needs, desires and I am grateful that I know that I can communicate to Him at all times. I am grateful to have just had conference and been reminded and comforted by the testimonies of the Lord's servants.

I am so excited to grow my little family and meet Mr. Colton. By the way, we have decided on a name: Colton Daniel Rhoads. I love it! I just feel like I know it fits him! Daniel is Dusty's middle name.

28 Weeks

2009-10-06T19:58:00.000-07:00

I was actually in KY during my 28 weeks and loving every second. It was great to see so many people and friends I knew and spend some quality time with family. I didn't take many photos so here is one with me at the shower. I can't remember much about how I felt that week. Usually when I go to KY I sleep in far too late everyday but I actually got up like from like 7 - 9 am each morning...sometimes even on my own :-)

I do remember, however, bringing a t-shirt with me to sleep in and one night making a late night grocery run with my mom in my pj's and realizing that my belly was hanging out of the shirt! Gross! I felt like one of those photos from "The People of Wal-Mart" sites. hahaha Oh well. Lots to blame on pregnancy. I only have 10 more weeks of that excuse so I'll take it where I can.

Trip Home

2009-10-04T19:45:00.001-07:00

It's always so refreshing to be able to go home for a visit, no matter the occasion. This time it really flew by while I was there. My mother is as loving and funny and comforting and FUN as usual. My dad is, well..., dad :-) Charla and Mike are as cute and funny as ever. I love getting to see them as parents with those FUNNY boys. I got some quality time with my brother Jason eating breakfast at the Cheesecake Factory....and yes we only ordered cheesecake! I got to spend some special time with my sister during a very important time in her life. My little nephews don't seem so little anymore. And our family is ever-expanding.

I think I love going home so much because there is laughter everywhere. I love each person's sense of humor. Being around family reminds you of what is important in life. I never have anything pressing that I want to do when I go home because being with them is enough. I feel so blessed to be apart of our awesome family :-) Here are a few pics of the trip. I didn't take nearly as many pics as I usually do...These were two men on a water-break mission. They told the parents to have the kids take a water break and after Evan remembered we were there, it was all over. He was doing good till he remembered we were there.

I don't know how or why it started but every single person in my family "likes" to be / get scared. "Uncle" Mike and "Uncle" Jason are the best at it. All of the kids love it and it's like a contest to top the best scare every time. It's made for some funny stories though :-) My mother is one of the worst... Here is Mike scaring the heck out of Blake and Evan. Sorry I cut off your head, Mike, but it would have been WAY scarier with it in the shot.

Here is the pro's action shot. I loved getting to go to one of his little soccer games. I only wish I could see all of my nephews and niece LIVE in action!

This was taken during clean up of the baby shower. Melissa, Charla and mom did a great job and we all had a lot of fun. I think we were all exhausted at that point!

This was a shot of Eli that I had to grab. That little man is ALWAYS on the go. He doesn't stop for a minute. He has his mind made up and that is that; get out of his way :-) Those balloons kept all three kids going and going and without (hardly) any fighting. :-)

This is my brother, Jason. He was gone a lot of the time I was there but I managed to get to hang with him a lot while he was home. I love kickin' it with him.

I can't remember what face Evan calls this but for some reason I think it looks a lot like Mike when he was little.

More pictures to come...

emailed response to my opinion on health care reform

2009-09-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

September 28, 2009

Dear Mrs. Rhoads,

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with me about our health care system. Although the United States has the highest quality health care in the world, a majority of Americans agree that there is need for significant reform. I am working on ways to address the problems dealing with accessibility, availability, and affordability of health insurance.

Before I address my alternatives to health care reform, let me take a moment and explain why I am opposed to the current health care proposal before the House.

At its core, I am opposed to increasing the federal government's control over health care. I fundamentally disagree with the idea that a federally-funded government health insurance option would improve the current system. While proponents of this approach argue that Americans would not be required to drop their health insurance and join the public plan, we must understand the "public option" would not operate on an even playing field. Simply put, a public health care option would result in fewer choices for Americans and lead to a single-payer system. A single-payer system would eventually lead to socialized medicine. While I am willing to work towards real health care reform, I will not vote for any health care bill that includes any type of public option. Additionally, I believe if members of Congress vote to pass a bill which includes a government run insurance plan, then those members should have to enroll in that plan as well.

I am also opposed to any health care bill that would increase taxes and increase the federal deficit. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the current health care proposal before the House would cost upwards of $1.5 trillion over a 10 year period. I ran for Congress on the idea that government needs to tighten its belt and learn to do more with less.

I am also against cutting funding to the Medicare Advantage program in order to fund other reforms to which I am adamantly opposed. I believe Medicare Advantage is a good alternative which incorporates many free market principles.

There are numerous proposals in the health care debate that I support and should be included in any bill that passes Congress. The health care reform bill should:

o Incentivize preventive care,
o Provide affordable access to insurance,
o Make policies portable,
o Cover pre-existing conditions,
o Allow opt-out provisions for states,
o Allow private insurers to compete across state lines,
o Promote more transparency in pricing and effectiveness of health care services.

These are not controversial provisions; these are provisions for which I would vote. Furthermore, both sides would likely admit these ideas would go a long way toward lowering costs and improving our health care system. I think we could solve a major portion of the health care problem by simply passing the provisions upon which we can agree.

I was also heartened to learn that President Obama was open to discussing lawsuit abuse reform as a tool for driving down costs. I believe that any health care plan absolutely must include such reform. Similarly, I believe that any health care bill that becomes law must prohibit the use of federal dollars to fund abortions and include a provision to exclude health insurance coverage to those in our country illegally.

Although there are many plans under consideration from both Republicans and Democrats, I have yet to find one that I believe would be the best solution for Utah. While there are promising provisions in each of the current proposals, most plans take a one-size-fits-all federal approach to health care. In reality, what works well in one state may not work as well in another. I believe that we will obtain the best results when we allow states as much autonomy as possible to address their unique challenges. I hope more states will follow the lead of states like Utah to innovate and experiment with new ways to improve health care for their residents. We would do well to unleash the creative power of state and local governments to innovate and drive new solutions.

In other words, the health care solutions should be driven by the states, not the federal government.

Again, thank you for your input and ideas. The process of reforming health care is very important. If we have a bad process, we will get a bad result. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Jason Chaffetz
Member of Congress

26 Weeks

2009-09-08T18:28:00.001-07:00

This is a new dress that a VERY kind lady my sister works with sent me. She bought me some new maternity clothes at a Gap Outlet store just because she is amazingly, wonderful and nice. I hope I can be more of that kind of person to people.

OK. I don't know why, but here are lots of photos. I had my 26 week apt this week and things are looking good still. I get to drink the delicious drink stuff in the next two weeks and then just go in to the doc's office to get blood drawn after I drink it. I like it better doing it that way on my own time rather than fasting, drinking, wait an hour etc. (P.S. I got the orange falvored one....)So things are good, ALTHOUGH the doc did tell me that I could have done better with my weight gain this last month....opps! HAHA I actually thought I was going to cry and then I just realized that it's a good wake up call and gauge of what I should be doing and know that I can do better. We ate out a lot throughout our vacation. My tailbone has been feeling better than I thought it would be at this point so Dusty and I have started working out together. I am going pansy light weights but hopefully it will still make a difference.

Week 25

2009-09-08T18:02:00.000-07:00

I don't really have many photos of myself for this week. I was the one taking pictures mostly. This is right outside of Magic Kingdom. We walked miles and miles everyday and I didn't even mind. Dusty and I said we were both on Mickey Crack! It's true. We were nonstop the WHOLE time but it was so much fun!

24 Weeks!

2009-09-07T12:43:00.001-07:00

I can't even remember details of this week....no surprise though. I just remember being really busy and starting to get a little more energy! I think I wrote stuff in my journal this week, but you guys just get a picture :-)

Amy's Birthday

2009-09-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

Well, it's a little late but on August 20th I had a great birthday. Dusty's mom was in town and he went out of his way to get the house nice and surprise me with all kinds of princess balloons, a cold stone ice cream cake and a few nice presents! I was very surprised and so happy to have a little celebration. It was also a kick off to our Disney World vacation, a.k.a. Babymoon, we took last week....pictures to come. We had a BLAST!

conversation with five 6-year-olds in primary

2009-09-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

Are you getting a baby?

Yes! I am. Isn't that exciting? (10 little hands proceed to rub my belly during the "reverence message")

Is it a boy or a girl?

A Boy!

Ew.

It looks like a girl.

But, you can't see him.

He's wearing pink.

Well, I am wearing pink, but he isn't. He's inside my belly.

Well, I'm getting a baby too.

You are? Well, one day you will and you will be a great mommy.

Yep. and it's gonna be a girl THEN a boy.

(...touching my belly she asks) Why is it so hard?

(...before I have time to answer another little girl answers) Well, I think it's soft.

....Class continues as they rub and poke my belly. Not one of them would stay in their seats. Good times :-)

Daddy's first kick!

2009-08-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

Dusty got to feel the baby kick last night like 3 or 4 times. It was so fun. The baby is so active at night right when I try and go to sleep. I guess he is prepping me for his late nights starting in December!

23 Weeks!

2009-08-16T22:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. I have been chastised enough for not posting photos! 23 weeks today and kickin :-) Things have been pretty smooth sailing these past two weeks. Doctor check up is fine and baby seems to be strong and healthy. We have been picking names and getting down to the fun stuff! I have had a few emotional rides this week and those are NEVER fun, but hey. That's life I guess. One thing I have been doing that I wish I hadn't is giving in to sugar cravings! I haven't really wanted sugar but the past week and a half has been another story... I have a goal to really plan my meals and take charge of that one before it gets out of hand!! I love it when I feel the baby move because I remember I'm not just fat :-)

Dusty's mom is coming in town tomorrow and that is always fun to have relatives here. I can't wait to go to KY next month and Dusty and I are taking a "babymoon" next week as one big hoorah before the baby comes!

I have realized, yet again, that one of my biggest faults is wanting things done now and freaking out that things won't come together in time. Yet, they always do. I do have to say though that sometimes this trait is a strength because it brings out the organizer in me and I become efficient etc. but I just wish I could do it without the stress. The whole faith over fear thing is one thing I always work on...but I am getting there! I do know that things will work out. I mean, I have so many wonderful people around me who love me, I have a testimony of the Savior and the Gospel, a husband who is trying his best to prepare himself to take the BEST possible care of our little family.

Life is good :-)

It's a boy! :-)

2009-07-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, we are having a boy!! We are so excited and had so much fun today. That is ALL we have talked about and thought about. I was so excited last night that I couldn't sleep and then woke up so early and just watched a movie cause I couldn't go back to bed and cleaning my house just wasn't an option :-)

Here are a few precious, adorable pictures of our ultrasound. Everything looks great and the baby looks healthy. We even got a DVD of the whole ultrasound and that is fun!

Thanks for all of your thoughts and well wishes.

If any of my siblings wants to let us use some boy clothes let me know :-) I'm all about it. I think Chauntel's sisters write their initials in the tags and then we just send them back after we are done or whenever you need them back. You know since we have such a shortage of boys, it's a long shot ;-)

Love you all and can't wait to see you!

Look at this perfect, precious little profile I just want to kiss him!

Proof is in the ultrasound!

Sweet little foot that kicks me more and more everyday! It was so cute today he was sitting Indian-legged inside me. So cute!

20 weeks!!

2009-07-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

YAY! I have officially reached the 1/2 way mark!!! Some of it seems like it is going back fast and the other part feels like I have been pregnant forever. I actually made it to Church today (well the last hour anyway) to teach my lesson, which is a huge shocker. It really hurt a lot but hopefully I hid it well. It hurt worse to sit today, so there ya go--the lesser of two evils.

I can't TELL you how excited I am to go to our ultrasound this ThUrSdAy!! Yippe! I will post the results afterwards :-) I took a LONG nap today and that was fabulous and I am tired again so will be heading to bed right after I post my weekly pic. (Melissa, seriously, you have GOT to be impressed that I am actually posting a picture for you every week...)

This was a long weekend and one where I got a ton accomplished, hung out with friends and hung out with Dusty. I probably had Dusty take over 12 bags of stuff to the DI and I am nowhere even close to being finished. Dusty is selling snakes and getting ready to change everything over and we are clearing out the storage unit to put our cages in and slowly but surely getting the house baby ready. After I know the sex of the baby I think I will go into nesting overdrive and I am actually looking forward to that. The organizer in me is jumping for joy :-)

19 Weeks!

2009-07-19T23:25:00.000-07:00

Wow. I can't believe I am 19 weeks today and almost at the halfway mark. I definitely feel like I/we went through a growth spurt this week. I am growing out of clothes and am feeling a little better overall which makes me HAPPY!! I finally got to take a nap today which also made me happy!! I don't really get to nap much and today it caught up with me. I actually made dinner a few times this week to which is a major improvement so I am sure that made Dusty happy :-)

It's funny how when you are pregnant conversation really does turn into the baby and how I am feeling from EVERYONE. It's fun though. Even though I haven't really enjoyed all aspects of pregnancy I am sure I will miss little things about it. One of the young women asked me if I was pregnant today at church and I told her no and I just looked at her face because her hand was already on my tummy....she didn't know what to do!! HAHA I told her I was kidding right away and they all gave me hugs and were rubbing my tummy. I love to see young girls so intrigued by pregnancy. I remember being like that and being so excited for whoever it was that was pregnant. Little babies are just so sweet and pure and precious they just get everyone excited!

Still counting down till the 30th for the big ultrasound. I think time is finally feeling like it will pass quickly. I get a 3 day weekend this week and last week flew by. According to my BabyCenter email the baby is the size of a large heirloom tomatoe today :-) around 8.5 ounces and 6 inches. I have had a few funny things happen that aren't really blogging material (trust me some of you will thank me for not sharing!) but whenever I chat with my girlfriends I might share a few stories. What is pregnancy without a few laughs?!

18 Weeks and 4 Days

2009-07-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

Here is my weekly photo. Things are going good. I just need to get into a routine again. I desperately need a routine! I am feeling the baby move a lot and am counting down (2 WEEKS!) until our big ultra sound and we can find out for sure what this little thing is!

Dusty and I are toying around with names and that's find of fun, but it will be a hard thing to decide on I think. It's fun though. Our biggest challenge is getting the house ready and we are doing a HUGE sorting of everything in our house and storage unit. It's going SLOW but steady.

My headaches and tailbone are still by big pains but if I didn't have those problems I would be feeling fantastic. Not much else to report. Things are moving quite along and I just can't wait till our ultrasound!

Thank you sissy!

2009-07-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

My sister sent me a gift card for Motherhood, and I went right ahead and spent it! I said I was going to "just look" but I knew I would spend it! :-) I got this dress and a pair of khaki capri/pants. I got lots of compliments today on how cute I looked all thanks to you!

Baby News

2009-07-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I had my 17 week check up today and we got to do another little ultra sound just for Dusty :-) OK, OK, and me too!

Dusty got to see the ultrasound with me and that was really neat. I can't believe how much the baby has grown in just 4 weeks! The doctor kept commenting on how much of a little mover and an acrobat I have inside of me. The little thing would NOT stay still. It was doing flips, twirls, karate chops and kicks! It looked like it was doing Turbo Jam inside of me :-) It was so cute. I can feel the little thing move now which is really, really neat. I can attest to how much it moves. I can only think of what that will be like as it get bigger AND stronger.

And to the question of the day.....what gender is it.... Well, it looks like we will have to wait 3 more weeks until my 20 week ultra sound. We did get a few good shots but the doctor wasn't really sure. He did tell us what it "suspiciously looked like" but I won't say anything until we know for sure :-) All and all it was a great day and I just am so excited to be a mommy!!

6 Years and 17 Weeks

2009-07-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness I haven't been pregnant that long!!! Today is our 6th year anniversary and I am 17 weeks today!

We were able to have a very productive weekend with beautiful weather. We didn't really do anything for our anniversary because we are planning a vacation at the end of the summer. We are kind of rolling our birthdays, anniversary and Dusty's graduation into a "Babymoon" trip. We want a big hoorah before the baby comes. We don't every really take vacations or trips so what the heck :-)

I have my doctor's appointment on Tuesday and it can't come soon enough. EVERYONE cross your fingers to see if we can find out what sex the baby is!! I can't take it I am so excited. I really hope things work out so we can know. I have also still been experiencing excruciating tailbone pain. The other night I was almost crawling on my hands and knees just to get to the bathroom. Dusty had to help every step of the way while I cried and tried not to pee my pants. It's ridiculous and it's like that everyday. I hope the doctor can help me find relief somehow. Dusty is a great helper. He brings me everything right when I ask for it. He knows how much I hurt but there's not much he can do for the pain.

If it weren't for my tailbone pain and tension headaches I would be feeling fabulous! All my other symptoms only rear their ugly head every so often but I honestly think I would rather puke 5 times a day than to have this tailbone pain.

So the baby is 5 inches and supposedly 5 ounces. I get emails from Baby Center each week and I look forward to them every single Sunday. I love to read about the baby's development and see how big the baby is. Today it graduated to the size of a turnip. :-) If it's only the size of a turnip, why oh why do I look and feel like I swallowed a barrel of turnips.....it couldn't be because I ate almost a whole bag of Doritos by myself could it?....nah!!!

16 weeks today

2009-06-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

Is it possible that a lot has happened in a week without a lot happening?? Well that's how I would describe this week. I will save you a lot of the emotional details but I have constant pains in my tailbone that have been excruciating. I will be heading to the doc tomorrow and see what we can do. Seriously. I can't even walk. Actually I can't sit, walk, or stand so there ya go. I am only 16 weeks and it has nothing to do with the weight etc. of the baby but it is related to this pregnancy.

Anyway, I am really looking forward to this whole "your second trimester is a breeze" part. It's like I am a little slow at this or something. My emotions have been a wreck and I have cried at EVERYTHING these past few days. I am really just so compassionate at everything and I feel myself growing into motherhood each day. I know that I will read all of these things and then be completely STUMPED with the baby gets here :-) At least I'll get an A for effort.

Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment :-)

This is Dusty during his Sunday nap. He was curled up with my preggie pillow and I had just taken out a load of warm clothes from the dryer and threw them on him. He just curled up in them and loved it. My mom used to do that to us. She would even get my towels warm for me when I was in the shower or coming in from the snow.

15 Weeks 4 Days

2009-06-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

Well I must say today was a good day. Some tailbone and back pain but nothing I can't handle. I woke up this morning and officially felt I had a "spare tire". I still just feel fat but it makes me happy just knowing that there IS someone in there. I am counting down till JuLy 7th to see if we can find out what it is!!

Dusty thinks that this picture makes me look a little bigger than I really am, but I sure feel every bit as big.

Beautiful quote on parenting

2009-06-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

"Brothers and sisters, our children take their flight into the future with our thrust and with our aim. And even as we anxiously watch that arrow in flight and know all the evils that can deflect its course after it has left our hand, nevertheless we take courage in remembering that the most important mortal factor in determining that arrow’s destination will be the stability, strength, and unwavering certainty of the holder of the bow."

Elder Jeffery R. Holland

Online Savings Tip

2009-06-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

So I have been chastised by a few people for not posting this tip.

Before I buy any product or service online right before I checkout I always open up a new tab in my browser and search for a promo / coupon code. For example if I am buying shoes online at Zappos I would Google "Zappos promo code" or "Zappos coupon code"...you get the idea. At the very least I am able to find free shipping or like 10 - 20% off my purchase. Sometimes I find amazing deals. Just spend 3 - 5 minutes looking for the best one and you would have saved yourself a few bucks or more.

Let me know if it works for you. I love hearing people getting good deals :-)

13 Weeks 5 Days

2009-06-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

This week has been overall great. I still don't feel "great" when I feel great but I'll take it :-) Working full time sure is hard right now cause everything in me wants to just curl up and take a nap at around 3 pm. So, I go for a walk, call someone or do something at around 3 everyday.

I have been able to eat more which makes me happy. Dusty is great about giving me quick little massages throughout the day or at night when he is home. My tailbone makes it to where I can't stand up for long and sometimes I just have to catch myself from falling. It just slips of socket and I feel like I am 90 years old. I am really scared about adding 20+ pounds of pressure to my tailbone. I just hope my little body is up for the task.

I have been terrible with working out. Between dizziness, tailbone, fatigue and nausea working out just hasn't been on the list. I have been walking but I don't count that as real exercise. Maybe I should; I would feel a lot better.

Nothing else to report. It was so much fun getting to spread the word about being pregnant and hearing from SO many people! This baby already has so many people that are excited to see it come to earth. I REALLY REALLY hope I can find out the sex of the baby on my next visit so I can actually refer to it as a he or she and then eventually an actual name! I catch myself saying "it" and I hate that. AND so I can tell Marcie so she can get to work on my shower ;-)

This will definitely be the BEST Christmas EVER!!!

Pregnant is the new skinny!!!

2009-06-06T12:36:00.001-07:00

Dusty and I are proud to announce that we are having a baby!!!!!!

I can't even tell you how excited we are. I will be 13 weeks tomorrow and the doctor said everything is going smoothly and looks great! I went in yesterday just thinking that I was going to hear the heartbeat. Dusty couldn't make the appointment due to a test at school so we were going to call him as the doctor put the heartbeat on a speaker. Well, the little fish wouldn't sit still long enough for that so we got to do an ultrasound and LOOK at our sweet little baby!!!!

I was absolutely amazed and astounded that I didn't cry; I was just overjoyed. I have never felt a feeling like that in my life. What a miracle! What an awesome miracle! Since Dusty didn't get a chance to see the ultra sound the doctor said that we will get to take another look at our next appointment so Daddy can see too!! I can't wait till July 7th :-)

I wasn't feeling well before the appointment and TIRED was not even a word to describe me (I know, I know....just wait until AFTER the baby....) but after that appointment I went straight to BYU to show Dusty the pictures and I had so much energy and I felt GREAT! I had a brief glimpse of knowing how worth it all of this is. This sickness doesn't even matter. As my mother so wisely told me in a moment of agony one day this past week, "You are doing the most important work there is to be done in this whole wide world." It's so true. I am so blessed that the Lord has seen fit to allow me to come to earth and bear children and raise and rear them with ALL of the love I possess. I can't wait to hold my baby in my arms and meet each other properly :-)

Our due date is December 13th, 2009. I can't even believe that we will be having a baby before the year is out! What a Christmas present!!! If you get a Christmas card from me in August just know that I am trying to catch up and get ready before the tornado hits :-) Well, I have always been bad about that anyway, so don't expect anything! HAHA Just kidding.

I love you all and am so grateful you are all with us and supporting us with your love and kindness and prayers.

Please meet, Baby Rhoads......

Hoedown Throwdown

2009-06-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

Is it normal that I want to have girls so I can teach and do stuff like this with them? I LOVED teaching dance and having kids come in wanting me to teach them the "new dance" that was going around school. So I always took the last 10 minutes and got the music and taught it to them so they could be the cool ones at school. I love doing stuff like that with with girls and they love it too! I can see my niece, Makayla, learning this with Chauntel.

If you are really curious there is a how-to video on youtube. :-)

My mother...

2009-06-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

I realize more and more why we probably had so much fun growing up. My mother. Sure dad was there to play with us, always had the video camera out, teaching us stuff, playing sports and all kinds of things, but mom just knows how to party ya know?

She is a little nuts so that might account for some of it, but I think the whole having 5 kids one right after the other just sent her over the edge. :-) LOVE YOU MOM

I catch myself saying, "I get that from my mother." a lot!!! I realized the other day that that's not entirely a good thing. haha She passed on MANY fabulous and amazing qualities but this is not a blog post about those. :-)

She love to play jokes, tell jokes, scare people, be witty, laugh, she can cut a rug and cut the cheese....sorry mom. HAHAHA Seriously she is just always the life of the party and people love to be around her.

Recently she and my brother Mike have been warring with each other playing jokes on one another and trash talkin. The other day when he came over in his dress clothes she took a huge water gun and soaked him right there in the living room. Oh, but it wasn't over then. She then proceeded to have my other brother, Jason of course, drive her to Mike's house at midnight so she could write LOVE MOM all over his windshield with green apple shampoo. She was contemplating Vaseline so he got off easy.

This is the picture she went home and emailed (complete with trash talk) to Mike after the fact.....The Green Apple Got'cha Caper

Yes, she's crazy but that's why I love her!!

It's OK if you don't know what to say.....

12 Weeks 3 Days

2009-06-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to jot down the funniest pregnant nickname I think I have ever heard.

Pregnapotamous.

Yes. You read it correctly. My brother Jason is probably one of the funniest people I know (besides the rest of my siblings) and he called the other day asking how the "little" pregnapotamous was doing. You know, it was too funny and for once I didn't have a comeback.

12 Weeks

2009-06-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

I have one word for you: PAPER.

I have decided to go against the "waste not" conservationist in me and buy paper plates and bowls to help get us through the coming weeks. Dishes make me sick(er). Cooking is almost non-existent yet dishes pile up despite my not cooking. I don't know how it works but there ya go. With Dusty being gone all day and night (like till 11 pm or later) at school and me being unmotivated and feeling sick my nights have been pretty lame. I have made the realization that once I just get up and start doing something that I feel better, but it's the whole getting started part that feels so hard. I sit down often and my headaches are ridiculously painful.

Despite my headaches I think all of my relatives are sick of hearing from me. I make lots of phone calls right now. My sister is probably going to change her number. Good thing she really loves me. <3

**Neighbors beware** I just might knock on your door to hang out or stroll on over right about supper time to see what you cooked and then invite myself in :-) Just (kind of) kidding. One friend has brought over a few snacks on 2 different occasions and I can't tell you how happy that makes me. Nothing sounds good to eat, I don't feel like cooking but when I start to eat I feel better. It always just tastes better when someone else makes it, doesn't it?

I haven't really gained any weight maybe one or two pounds but I can't button my pants! (My brother asked me what was different than before I was pregnant. Yeah, I feel the love.) It is a weird sensation to know you are about the same weight but your clothes are starting not to fit. One of the best investments so far has been one of those Tummy Sleeves or Bella Bands. LOVE THEM!!

All in all things are good. Different but good. This is a beginning of a new chapter and something for Dusty and I to get used to and ease into. I am so excited to meet this little sweet child of mine! (OK. Who else starting singing Gun's N Roses after that??)

Happy Birthday Dusty!

2009-05-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

Dusty is 29 today! I am so thankful I was able to feel well enough to get up "early" and make him a big Birthday Breakfast! We had lots of time to spend together this morning before he was off to school and he is looking forward to his night at Tucanos! :-) (sign up for their birthday club for a free meal on your b-day if you haven't already....)

I know that Dusty brings joy to so many people and his talents bless many. I am happy to call him my husband and share each day with him. His smile and attitude brighten my day and remind me of the simple pleasures in life. I love him so much and want to wish him the Happiest of Happy Birthday's there is to be had!

11 Weeks 4 Days

2009-05-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

Note to self: NEVER click on a link that says "Your body changes a lot in nine months. What will it look like after having your baby?" and takes you to pictures of post-pregnancy bodies and bellies.

Just don't. You'll thank me later.

Seriously.

There is something about being an aunt....

2009-05-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

There is something about being an aunt that just makes my world go 'round. I am so enriched by the lives of my sweet little nieces and nephews. I love to see little characteristics of my siblings in them and see the "Mother's Curse" put on by my own mother in action :-) I love each and every one of them SOOO much and, I feel, in some small way makes me a better mother-to-be. I get to see their extreme differences in personality and preferences and have had my chance to take care of them, play with them and just plain enjoy them!

My heart is turned to Jackson as he prepares for yet another head surgery. He is so strong, brave and precious beyond words and his Aunt Amy loves him more than she can say. I know that the Lord is with him helping him fight this battle. Sending all my love to all of my nieces and nephews from Utah. I love you all!

Cute Stay-cation Ideas

2009-05-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

http://family.go.com/travel/pkg-vacation-ideas-staycation/?CMP=NL_NLC_7LittleThings_05_25_Staycations

11 Weeks 2 Days.....The Journey Continues

2009-05-26T10:44:00.001-07:00

So I haven't written in a while. I have been in bed a lot and home feeling sorry for myself. Just kidding. I have joined the millions of other women who experience a torrent of emotions during the first trimester and I am sure never subsides completely.

I wonder if I will be good enough. I wonder if I will be able to meet my babies needs. I wonder if I will have the strength and stamina to meet the demands that are looming in my future. I wonder what kind of little kindred spirit is inside of me. I wonder about all of the logistics of how we are going to make this work. I wonder about a lot of things. I mean, I have lots of time. I lie awake at night with insomnia mulling the joys and symptoms I experience during this thing we call pregnancy.

I wonder a lot. I also am amazed at the whole process. So many times I read a book on pregnancy and just tear up in excitement and joy and amazement. I also tear up at the thought of giving birth. I am not going to lie. I am scared, but getting better. I have went through a little spurt where I was feeling guilty because I didn't feel so joyous all of the time because I was experiencing so many nasty symptoms and I just plain didn't feel good. Then that got me thinking, "Well why am I not excited to be having a baby? Why do I feel so down?" And then I really thought about it and that was a stupid thing to feel guilty about in the first place. I AM EXCITED....SUPER SUPER EXCITED but I just feel like c-r-u-d and that's OK not to be over joyous everyday.

The point is I have to give myself time to adjust to this new role I am stepping into just like anything else; and that's OK. It's OK that life has slowed down a bit and I am taking care of myself. It's OK that Dusty has to do dishes and cook (aka eat out) ;-) because I can't do it for a brief moment. That's life and that's why we are a team. It's OK to be a little frightened of the unexpected [read labor]. I know that the Lord is with me and that I was made to be a mother from the very beginning of my eternal being. THAT gives me great comfort in this time of great excitement, confusion, sickness and joy.

All of the women who have gone before me give me strength and courage and hope and love for what is to come. I am empowered as I think that I have been chosen to be a vessel for a sweet little spirit to call my own here on earth and throughout the eternities.

Prop 8 is Upheld

2009-05-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prop8-decision27-2009may27,0,6677891.story

You Can Thank Me Later....

2009-05-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

http://mychocolategarden.blogspot.com/

Happy Mothers Day!

2009-05-10T12:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all of the beautiful women in my life! Especially the greatest of all--Lelia Starr Scott Logsdon, my mother! What a beautiful name for such a beautiful lady! I'll take all of the mushy stuff offline and talk to my mother in person. I just wanted to give a shout out to all of the women in my life who help shape me into the woman and future mother I will become. There are so many of you who have been examples to me in ways that you have no idea. I learn so much from you and admire your beauty, patience, creativity, multi-tasking, giving service and self-sacrificing love. I hope that I can rise to become half as much as you women are! I love you and Happy Mother's Day. Thank you for sharing your talents, love and friendsip with me so williningly.

8 Weeks 4 Days

2009-05-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

So last night was the first night where the sickness really got to me and I couldn't stop crying. It's just miserable. Poor Dusty didn't know what to do so he sent me to bed. ha ha It was probably the best thing for me though. As I was crying I was getting all crazy thinking things like I won't be able to handle being a mom and that this sickness would never leave. Then I picked up a book filled with stories of other moms at all different stages and it made me feel better reading of their experiences. So many women go through this everyday and they live too :-)

I am really trying hard today to eat small meals and snacks all throughout the day. I wake up in the middle of the night hungry like 4 times a night (no joke...and that's not even to pee...) and I do recognize that when I am hungry I feel sicker or if I ate too much I feel sick. So, I do feel a LITTLE better today now that I have been snacking on strawberries and carrots, wheat toast etc. I hope this is a solution to help me stay feeling better.

Miraculously the Lord helps you to forget all of these times so you actually want to bring more sweet little babies into this world.....or so I'm told :-)

So it begins

2009-05-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

Dusty has started 2 spring classes so that is keeping him very very busy. He is going to do awesome...I can feel it!! I have been keeping myself busy writing with other things so the blog is getting a little neglected. We have lots going on lots to look forward to. The weather is warming up which makes me HAPPY. Mother's Day is this Sunday...if anyone knows of a cute Mother's Day craft send it my would ya! I am feelin' crafty.

Note to self :

2009-05-04T17:36:00.001-07:00

NEVER watch movies like The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (about the Holocaust..however I must say that is was a VERY moving and powerful movie about the evils of the Holocaust...I recommend it otherwise), We are Marshall (plane crashes killing everyone), Finding Neverland (girl dies and the whole movie just makes me weep), Fly Away Home (mom dies in the beginning and the ending is moving) etc. while pregnant.

Just don't.

I have been sicker than a dog and just laying on the couch amazed at how this nausea and tiredness has WIPED me out. Dusty has been great and I don't think I have whined a whole lot which is good cause I hate whining. The only thing I have been able to do a lot of is watch movies and sleep. I get BAD headaches when I try and read so that has been my weekend!

They tell me there is an end to this.... :-) In all actuality I am grateful for how I feel. I have gotten online to read up on remedies for morning sickness etc. and the more I read of other people's experiences, the more happy and content I am with my own circumstances :-)

7 weeks 4 days :-)

2009-04-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

I won't be doing a daily blog post of how I feel but this is kind of my journal of sorts of what my experience is like. I feel really sick again today. Dusty said that this must be the "Don't-touch-me-mester", instead of my first trimester cause every time he goes to touch me I guess I give him a look. LOL It's just that every tiny little movement makes me S-I-C-K so I don't like to be touched. I still haven't thrown up but I am tired all the time and my stomach is messed up. I KNOW it could be a lot worse so I am thanking my lucky stars while it lasts!

7 weeks and 3 days

2009-04-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day I officially woke up SICK to my stomach. It wasn't as bad as I am sure it could be so I am still grateful. I have wanted fast food like no other this past week. I get SO tired throughout the day and the thought of cooking makes me sicker :-) Maybe it's all in my head but it has sure been nice not doing dishes.

I am starting to figure out my whole insurance thing and get my head wrapped around that. Our insurance at work is very complicated and lots of people to talk to. It's much better than I thought though.

Last night I did 30 minutes of strength training and I thought I had just ran the Boston Marathon. It was hard and I was tired but it felt so good afterward. I need to keep that up.

That's all my ramblings for now. It's so hard to keep this a secret from friends. I am just doing everything that I can to make sure that things go well. I can't believe I have a baby on the way. I am so excited.

Gentle Reminder

2009-04-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

I was reminded today that Heavenly Father knows me, loves me and is with me. He gave me a blessing that was completely unexpected but perfectly timed. I had wanted for it to happen a few years ago, but in His wisdom, it came right when I needed to put it to use. Heavenly Father spoke my "love language" today and reminded me how much He absolutely loves me. I am eternally grateful.

check your kids homework.....HAHAHA

2009-04-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Mrs. Jones,

I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Smith

Caring People

2009-04-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

Some of you know how much I have loved my doctor. I have dealt with hypothyroidism and she has helped me through so much. She has call me on weekends, in the evenings, before hours and ALWAYS listens to me and makes sure she understands me before she does anything. She has been the absolute best doctor I have ever had. She is even my friend. Well in January I had to switch insurance companies and she was no longer a network doctor!! SO BUMMED! But I called her office anyway and asked to speak with her. I was out of meds and needed her to call in a subscription while I found a new doc interim. When I told her I couldn't come see her anymore she was bummed too. She gave me her personal cell number and told me to call her any time and she would help me find another doctor that I liked.

Well I had a few kind of emergency medical questions and called her cell to see if she would help me find a new doc ASAP. She spoke with me for 40 minutes at 9pm and told me to call her back and keep her updated on my situation. I mean, seriously, what kind of doctor does this?! She has gone out of her way because she cares so many times. I am sure she has touched a lot of people's lives. I am not going to take advantage of that but its nice to know that she is there and truly cares.

I am grateful for caring people and people who are so ready and willing to impart wisdom, experience and helpful advice. I mean as a professional her time is valuable and can bill for that kind of consultation but she is just a kind person wanting to help. I am grateful for her and lots of others out there who inspire me to be a better person and be more giving.

Does nobody care? This is completely cool?!

2009-04-08T15:44:00.001-07:00

So, in my last post I mentioned that Dusty will be filmed in a documentary / movie as an expert and they are flying up here at the end of May to do it. Way cool! Go Dusty! I will be posting the trailer for it as soon as I figure out how....

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

2009-04-02T18:52:00.001-07:00

OK. There isn't anything really interesting in this post after all. I haven't updated in a while. There has been lots going on but just your old mundane stuff. Dusty is plugging away at school and selling snakes. Yes, I said SELLING them! Luckily our collection of snakes is slimming down a bit. Dusty is moving on to other things in the herpetology / conservation world. You know, because with the 40 or so he is going to keep and continue to breed will be enough to keep his hand in it ;-)

I have been plugging away with Beachbody Stuff and fitness coaching and still absolutely loving it. I have been building a website, doing ALL kinds of stuff with it. Work is busy. Home life is busy. We are trying to figure out plans and life and everything in between. If you have any ideas let me know ;-)

Dusty did get asked today to be in a reptile movie / documentary. They will interview him on film probably this summer. That was WAY cool. It will more than likely be in like film festivals and of course on DVD.

That's it for now. I know, I told you there was nothing exciting. I will promise that the next time I write will be AMAZING :-)

Back from Cali!

2009-03-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

I absolutely loved my trip to California. I will have lots to post about it. It was more than just fitness and business building. I got to workout with all of the Beachbody trainers, meet amazing people with even more amazing stories, get some serious training on how to grow my business and be inspired. The weather was gorgeous, I went with awesome friends and just came back home with goals, to-do lists, inspiration, fun stories!, memories and an overall understanding of how to become the person I am trying to be. I will have lots of pics on facebook so if you're not hooked up with me on there do it so you can see all of the fun stuff I got to do!

Send your message to HBO

2009-03-09T09:46:00.001-07:00

Many of you may have heard of HBO's television show, Big Love. It came out a couple of years ago, and it shows polygamous families. When it first came out, the church came out with a strong statement against Big Love and Polygamy. You can see the statement here:

http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/church-responds-to-questions-on-hbo-s-big-love

However, as if the polygamy weren't bad enough, HBO has taken their unscrupulousness to new heights.

On Sunday, March 15, 2009, HBO will be airing a segment of their Big Love series titled Goin' to the Chapel. In this segment, they will be showing individuals dressed in full temple clothing (you can see the picture right in the TV guideitself), and they are planning on sending secret cameras in to the temple to show the inside of the temple itself.
You can see the advertisement here (on page 46):

http://www.tvguidemagsales.com/WeeklyIssues/TVG030909.pdf

Please help stop HBO from airing such an offensive show! You can go to the link below to submit a comment to HBO.

http://www.hbo.com/apps/submitinfo/contactus/submit.do?title=GeneralInformation&questiontype=generalInformation&questiontype=general

It's imperative that we get as many people to voice their complaints as possible before HBO airs the show. Please pass this information on to as many people as you can!
Church Responds to Questions on HBO's Big Love - LDS Newsroom
Source: www.newsroom.lds.org

Various media outlets 6 March 2006 Over the past few weeks, Church Public Affairs has received numerous calls from newspaper, magazine and TV entertainment writers about a new television series called Big Love. ...