Memories In A Disposable Camera

First I have to take you waaaay back.

Well, not that far back but a few years ago to when Devon and I were just young and in love and dating.

Devon knew I liked photography so he decided that on some of our dates we would bring a disposable camera with us to document our time together.

From one of our first dates

From a date we went on to re-enact the night he proposed to me because we didn't bring a camera on the real night.

From a date we went on after we were engaged in Wisconsin

(Good thing we ended up getting married otherwise all those pictures would have just been trashed)

Recently, as we were spring cleaning, Devon found 2 more disposable cameras that were just about full.

Jackson got to one of them so a lot of the pictures were ruined and lost forever on that one.

Sad day.

But when we went to go get them developed my heart was just so full of love for my little family.

I had no idea what would be on them, and so to my surprise each little photograph envelope was like a timeline of our married life together.

It was such a sweet reminder for me of how quickly time passes, and how I really need to cherish each moment I have with my boys.

From our honeymoon in Mexico

When Jackson was a newbie to the world

From a date we had just after Jackson was born

And a few pictures form the last few weeks, as we were trying to sue the rest of the film

I love my boys :)

Single Mom Sunday

I despise Sundays.

I know I know they are supposed to be the day of rest...

The day of spiritual renewal, and enlightenment...

Not anymore!

Oi.

Devon got called to a bishopric (leaders over a ward in our church) in a single student ward (a group of members of our church that live near each other) on campus.

This means that I am alone with this kid

all day.

Which really isn't much different from any other day.

The whole taking care of him stuff just like I do every day is no big deal.

(Well minus the fact that for some reason Sundays are the days he decides he will only take two 30 minute naps....ugh)

It's the 3 hour church by myself with a teething baby that bites!

pun intended.

I spend my 3 hours of church going in and out of the different meetings with a fussy whiny baby until I eventually throw in the towel and just stay out in the foyer till it's over.
(Or if Devon gets done early he will bail me out) 

Now I don't write this to get praise or sympathy.

Please don't.

I write this because HOLY CRAP do I have SOOOO much respect for single mom's now.

Like seriously.

My goal on Sundays is just to endure until Devon gets home.

I can't imagine doing that everyday without getting a break at all.

Putting up with this cranky kid is no easy task

and he's not even bad!

(Trust me I have seen much much worse)

Seriously forget batman, superman, and captain America (well maybe not him he's easy on the eyes)

Single mom's should be considered superheros.

10 Months

Is this real life?

Is my tiny little 6 lb baby boy 10 months old?

The answer is yes.

Holy COWWWWW

I mean I am less than two months away from having a one year old.

Just crazy I tell you.

Crazy.

Well Jackson has done more this month than he has in a while.

He's getting so big and strong and my little mommy heart can't handle it!

In the early stages of his life I was so distraught thinking I was going to miss everything because I was going to school all morning and working all afternoon and evening.

And I did miss a lot of firsts.

It KILLED me.

I am SO thankful though that I have such a wonderful husband who has really helped our family so that I can stay home with him more now.

In the past few months I have been there for almost every wake up call and every prayer before bedtime, and it feels so good!

And I know it seems so silly but today he crawled for the first time, and I was there to see it!

I was so excited to be able to be there for that.

I even got a bit emotional because if you would have asked me 6 months ago if I thought I would see the first time he crawled I would have said absolutely not.

Goodness I just love being able to see this little guy and be a semi-stay at home mama :)

Here's what I am up to at 10 months:

-I weigh a whopping 21 lbs (could be a pound more...it was a few weeks ago that I was weighed)

-I am still extremely animated, and mommy and daddy are always impressed with my facial expressions

-My two front teeth broke through a few days ago, and my lower two are on their way!

-I pull myself up on EVERYTHING and sometimes I test my abilities and stand on my own

-I think kisses are silly and laugh a lot when daddy tries to make me give him one.

-Other than crawling my newest trick is squealing.

-I am still chubby as ever, but mommy says she likes me better that way.

-I am probably so chubby because I love ALL foods. I am NOT a picky eater at all.

-The bathroom is my favorite place to sneak off to when mommy and daddy aren't looking.

-I am VERY curious now, and want to get into everything I am not supposed to.

-I love the outdoors and can't wait until spring so I can be out in it more!!

Goodbye 2013

As this year comes to a close I wanted to have a post dedicated to our crazy year.

A lot has happened this year, and although I'm not big on change I am so glad for everything that has happened to us this year.

Our year started off with a pregnant wife and a worn out husband

We were SOOOOO unaware of how our lives would change in just a few short months.

Then (2 weeks earlier than his due date) on March 1st 2013 Jackson Udell Thiel came into our lives 

He made Devon a daddy, my mom a Grandma, my dad a Grandpa

and most importantly he made me a mama!

Both Devon and I had no idea how much he would change our lives, or how much love we could possibly have for him.

This one day made the rest of our year a lot more difficult, but a lot more exciting!

Then in April little Jackson put on his white tux and was blessed by daddy, both grandpas, and a few uncles

And after our CRAZY spring was through

(Meaning devon and I were both working, and I was going to school...oh and we had our brand new baby)

we got to go to KANSAS :)

We had SO much fun and we were lucky enough to see part of Devon's family there too while they were on their way to Texas!

Then came time for the holidays!

Starting with halloween then Thanksgiving then CHRISTMAS!!

And unfortunately most of my pictures from halloween are either on my phone and I have no way to get them off at the moment or I just flat out didn't take any.

(you'd think I would be better at that)

For Christmas this year we were lucky enough to meet my family down in Utah for a few days which was really fun

And that was our year.

Lots of love, change, and busy days.

We can't wait to see what next year has in store for us!

And to finish things off here are some favorite pictures from our year that don't really have any categories

Daddy giving Jackson the good stuff

Jackson's first time down a slide with his favorite Aunt
(There's really no denying it she's his favorite)

My favorite boys

6 months

Happy New Year!