utah day 1: temple square

Because my grandma's cousin from Denmark was with my parents, we did more "touristy" stuff than we usually do while in Utah. Of course, Temple Square is a must see. We went on Wednesday and it was a very warm, sunny day.

Jared was dressed up because he had a meeting at the University of Utah.

Asher was being a bit fussy, so we played pass the baby the around.

Are those adorable feet or what?




I just love the architecture of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.


Of course, the flowers were beautiful as always.


I'm always amazed that the early Saints built this beautiful building with such rudimentary equipment.

just call him professor

We are home from Utah and I have approximately 600+ photos to sort through, but first I must share how proud I am of my husband. Several months ago we began thinking about moving back to Utah to be near the kids while Jared writes his dissertation. Obviously, we would need a source of income while living there. So Jared began contacting people at the universities there about the possibility of teaching part-time. During his last trip to Utah he met with people at the University of Utah and at Utah Valley University. (UVU said he could teach an ethics class but that's not really what he does and the commute isn't really worth it, so UVU is our last choice.) This time he had a second meeting at the U and one at Westminster. Things are looking pretty good at the U. They are trying to get a Religion program off the ground and Jared could offer a lot. They asked him to submit some course proposals. At Westminster they already teach a couple religion classes and during his meeting with them on Monday they offered him a job teaching a class next summer! And they said he could teach one or two each semester next year! Jared will continue teaching an online class each semester through UNC and if things at the U work out, we will be set. None of these were posted positions. Jared just took the initiative and asked. It took some major follow up on his part, and it's really paying off as things fall into place. We are so blessed to have these opportunities to allow us to live in Utah near the kids and for Jared to gain valuable teaching experience. Once he officially has his PhD he'll go on job market for tenure track positions around the country, but the chance to teach in Utah for a couple years is the perfect transition we need.

leavin on a jet plane

We are off to Utah tonight to spend time with family, attend Jared's mom's wedding, and bless our dear babe. Asher will be meeting many family members for the first time AND taking his first plane ride! Wish us luck! See ya next week!

over the weekend

Asher sat by himself on Daddy's lap.

From September

Asher's eyes started lightening. Perhaps he will have blue eyes after all.

From September

From September

From September

Asher slept on his tummy on the floor for a good hour like this.

From September

please bless this dream doesn't come true

Last night I had a dream that I was pregnant. As in pregnant now, two months after giving birth! Ack!!! The thought is frightening. Although in the dream I didn't really freak out even though I am years away from wanting to be pregnant again. I guess if I got pregnant two months after giving birth, while breastfeeding and on birth control, I'd have to take it as a sign from God. Well God, please bless me with a longer break from childbearing than 2 months! I'm shooting for something more like two years!

today

From September

From September

From September

From September

From September

From September

From September

From September

From September

From September

cry baby

Yesterday, while I was playing with my camera shortly after it arrived, Asher was hanging out with me on my bed. I started snapping some photos of him.
At first he seemed a bit intrigued by the big black camera, if somewhat concerned.

The concern is increasing.
"Why aren't you picking me up, Mama?"

The whimpering begins.
"Mama, I really want you to pick me up."

"Now!"

"What is taking you so long?!"

"Look at this sad little pout. Don't you feel bad for me?"

"I really don't want to lay here anymore."

"The pouty face didn't work. Now I'm really mad!"

"I've had enough!"

Now lest you think me cruel, this whole interaction lasted about a minute and then I rescued him. As soon as I picked him up he was fine.

i'm in love

with this little boy
and
with the camera that took these photos!

My new Nikon D90 came this afternoon and it is SO cool!
I must admit that I'm more than a little overwhelmed by all it's buttons and features and settings, but I wanted to show you all real quick what beautiful photos it takes just on the auto setting. And these are straight out of the camera with no post editing. My favorite is the one above.

This was about the fourth photo I took after I got the lens on and the battery and memory card in it. I was across the room and zoomed in. Isn't Asher getting so big? Check out those chunky thighs!

The rest of these are in our living room. I feel like I was FINALLY able to capture the essence of Asher and get some good smiles because the camera is so fast.

So there is a little taste for you. I'm so excited to figure out everything I can do with this camera and get it off auto. Many more photos to come!

help pass the PROTECT Our Children Act

I didn't watch it, but Oprah did a whole show earlier this week about child predators and sexual abuse and how it is being spread over the internet. It is horrific. Please write your senators to help pass Senate Bill 1738. It makes me sick to think of how many children are being abused and exploited. Please take a couple minutes to read the following from Oprah's website and write your senators:

Hundreds of thousands of children are victims of sexual abuse each year. Due to the sheer lack of resources, law enforcement is unable to follow up on the majority of leads they have.

The PROTECT Our Children Act will:

• Authorize over $320 million over the next five years in desperately needed funding for law enforcement to investigate child exploitation.
• Mandate that child rescue be a top priority for law enforcement receiving federal funding.
• Allocate funds for high-tech computer software that can track down Internet predators.

Act Now!
Your U.S. senators will be voting on the bill soon, so it is crucial you contact them immediately.
Go to www.senate.gov to find contact information for the senators in your state. Search for your senator by name or state by clicking on the arrow from either dropdown menu. Contact information is provided here. To send an e-mail, click on "Web Form" below his or her name, and e-mail your letter to make a difference!

Call Your Senators
If you choose to contact your senators by phone, be sure to tell them, "Vote yes on Senate Bill 1738—The PROTECT Our Children Act."

Write to Your Senators
If you choose to write a letter, fax, telegram or e-mail, you may use the following sample letter—and modify it how you see fit.

Dear Senator:

I know that you believe, like I do, that we must do everything possible to protect children from sexual predators. That is why I am asking for your help.

Last year alone, U.S. law enforcement identified over 300,000 criminals who were trafficking in movies and pictures of young children being raped and tortured. Experts say that one in every three of these criminals has local child victims. Child pornography trafficking over the Internet has given us a trail of evidence that leads straight to their doorsteps, but the vast majority of these children will never be rescued because investigators are overwhelmed, outnumbered and underfunded.

As your constituent, I urge you to do everything in your power to pass the PROTECT Our Children Act (S. 1738, Biden-Hatch). This bipartisan legislation passed the House 415-2, but it is now the victim of petty partisan politics.

Now that we know where these children are and how to protect them, there is no excuse for the Senate to fail to take action this session.

(Your name here)

i did it!

After days (or rather months with breaks here and there) of stewing, after staying up way too late last night reading reviews and getting up way too early this morning still stewing, I made my decision and finally did it. I ordered my camera! It is now on it's way to me as we speak via UPS. And you can bet I'll be tracking that sucker all the way to my front door! Oh man, I am so excited I couldn't even take a nap today because my brain wouldn't turn off. I kept imagining holding that camera in my hands and figuring out all it's magic and taking beautiful photos of my beautiful baby with lightening fast shutter speed and perfect sharpness. And let us not forget the movies! Because that's right folks, I splurged and got the D90. I just know I am not going to regret it.