Be there, really there!

I was reading THIS blog post the other day and it really hit me hard.  Here I was sitting next to babe while he was on his phone, Jenson playing on the ground.  We were all "there" but doing different things.  I felt so guilty that I wasn't being all there.  I know that that is not always possible but I have been trying to do a lot better.  I didn't realize how much I used my phone until I tried to not use it when feeding or playing with Jenson during the day.  It becomes so easy and something to do, I have to be "caught up" on everything social media that it is a bit ridiculous.  I know I am not perfect by any means but know that I am really aware I am going to try to do all I can to really be there with the people I am with.  I don't want Jenson to grow up addicted to screens to keep him entertained.  

I remember in some of my child development classes we would talk about how when we were little we would use our own imagination when we would play, for example we would use a stick or something for a sword.  Today everything is made easy for us, we don't need to pretend with sticks when we can just buy any toy we want-which isn't a bad thing either.  There is a book called "15 Minutes Outside" by Rebecca P Cohen I have only read some of it but I couldn't agree more, just 15 minutes outside can do wonders. I want to be the kind of mom that makes memories my children will always remember.  I know my sister Mindy was doing this, it wasn't anything big but I loved that she is outside with them as well, not just sending them out to play by themselves.  

As women I think we get this list of things that need to be done and we think we have "failed" if we can't do everything {or is that only me?}  I get this huge list and feel so guilty when Babe comes home and none of it has gotten done.  I am teaching myself now that although it is good to be productive, we also need to spend quality time doing things that are truly important.  Time flies, I already get sad thinking how fast Jenson is growing up and he is only 8 weeks.  I don't want these days to pass by and regret not spending time with him, really being there.  

I love what Elder Uchdorf said during his conference talk "Of Things That Matter Most": 

Since “no other success can compensate for failure” ¹² here, we must place high priority on our families. We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e,time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.

None of us are perfect, I will be the first to admit that but we can all be better in focusing on those things that truly matter the most.  I encourage you to all "be there" this week, focus on the ones you are with not the ones in your phone or on the television.  Remember it's okay if you don't get everything on your "to do" list done.  Take in the time you have with your loved ones now, don't regret not making those memories and strengthening those relationships.  Even if you spend the whole day in your pjs, enjoy the time you have!  Life doesn't slow down, but you can!


ps. I know this post is really random and probably doesn't make any since, I'm not very elegant with words but I know how I feel.  I hope you can get something from this and work on it in your own life.

What are some of your favorite things to do with your family?

What do you remember most about your childhood?

BIG NEWS!

No, we are not pregnant if that's what your thinking {Jenson just turned 8 weeks...}.  I swear when your married and someone says GUESS WHAT! or BIG NEWS! the first thing that comes to your mind is that they are pregnant... I'm not sure why that is, maybe its just me... anyway back on topic.

WERE MOVING!! Yahoo!! Don't get too excited though... it's only about 10 minutes away (not back to Utah/Idaho area) We finally got accepted into our new housing after filling out a application the week we got here back in August.  I have so many mixed emotions mostly ecstatic, but then I get stressed!  There is sooo much to do, and it's all so different now with Jenson.  I can't spend all my time packing/ de junking like I like to do- he is my first priority which makes things a lot slower and more un organized (insert plug here for having my mom fly out and help!!) 

On part of the application you have to fill out where you have lived in the last 3 years.  They give you 3 spots to fill that out in {really 3?  were college students!}  We have moved so many times we had to fill out the bak of the page as well.  So moving into this place is going to be a huge change for us!  We will be living in there until Babe is done with school {4-5 years, sheesh!} Babe laughs at me because whenever we move I always have a ton a few boxes of things that "we will eventually need" because we don't know where we will be then.  But now we know we will be in the same place for multiple years so I can actually see what we need, and get rid of the rest {hopefully ;)} 

We will be staying in the same ward {thankfully, we LOVE our ward!} just moving closer to it and in a complex where we actually know multiple people {yeah for getting a social life again!}.  I am going to have to learn my way around a new part of town but hey, this way I will have mastered most of Overland Park, right?  haha Well at least in my dreams ;)  it's really confusing here, don't believe me ask my sisters!  We have to be out of our old place by May 31st which gives us plenty of time to slowly move into our new place and do things there before moving in (like getting shelfs...one again insert plug here for my mom to come help us make our new place a home! WE NEED YOU!!)  I get overwhelmed thinking of how to organize our new place and where to put all of our pictures and things, the layout is nothing like we have had before and I don't know how to decorate it (MOM!).  

Well Jenson is actually asleep on his own so I think I should take advantage of this and start the de junking!  Wish me luck!  

Do you have any good moving tips?

How do you entertain your child while trying to get things done? 

Anyone want to pitch in to get my mom a plane ticket here?! ;)

Jenson's First Cold

While Jenson and I were visiting our family he started to get a little cough and got all congested.  I kept a humidifier on at nights which seemed to help a little, but after returning home it just kept getting worse. His cough is seriously the saddest thing I have ever heard in my life.  I hate that he is so little and can't tell me where he is hurting and how I can help him.  Because his breathing has always been a little different since he was born (and being born with a pneumothorax) we didn't want to take any chances that something was more serious.  His 2 month appointment was set for the 25th but we didn't want to wait until then just in case.  We headed to the doctors on Friday and they ran different tests.  Dr. Crane was nervous about his retractions (the way he was breathing, you could see his ribs when he would breath in).  She tested for RSV, coup, and other random thing but they all came back negative (thank goodness!) They decided to take an X-ray to get a better look at his lungs.  Dr. Crane mentioned his heart looked a little abnormal on the X-ray so she sent the results off to Children's Mercy Hospital to have a specialist look at it.  She then sent us home, saying just a keep a close eye on Jenson and if anything looks worst to go right to the Hospital, oh and she told us not to worry {yeah right, thats like telling me not breath}. We scheduled a follow up appointment for Monday, and we were on our way.

 That was probably one of the longest weekends of my life.  I kept looking for the signs she gave us (flared nostril, deep retractions, arching back, etc...) and I could swear everything was just getting worse.  He would have these coughing fits that would wake him up from a dead sleep, making him not sleep very much, when he did.  His favorite place to be is in our bed so last night we gave in and sleep with him so we could all get some shut eye.  

Later Friday night Dr. Crane gave us a call saying that the results from the X-ray they sent off were back from Children's Mercy, they said his heart was perfectly normal but they had some more concerns with his lungs and wanted us to go in on Monday to take better X-rays 

{but don't worry...}

 Monday finally came and we headed to the doctors early for our follow up and to get a CD of his X-rays to that Children's Mercy can do a comparison.  Dr. Crane said his breathing was looking better and she wasn't as concerned as she was on Friday {PHEW!} 

After our appointment we went to get the X-rays taken.  We got checked in and waited for them to call us back.   

 He did so good with the first X-ray, then started to scream with all he had on the second one.  We don't have the results back yet but they told us they couldn't see anything but our doctor would call us later with the full details.  Basically he just has a cold with a really bad cough but it sure is killing me to see him like this.  I guess for now all I can do is cuddle my sweet boy and try to get him to eat more and sleep!  I sure love you Jenson, how about we kick this thing and stay healthy forever okay!?

  

How do you help your child when they are sick?

Any suggestions on how to get him to eat?

What should I do about his cough? 

Craven Cousins

While we were in Utah we decided it was the perfect time to update my moms pictures of all of her grandkids.  Okay seriously though, how perfect are all of my nephews and niece?  They seriously bring me so much joy I can't even describe it to you!  

Jenson is grandkid #8 (#7 grandson... poor Katelyn #weneedaburninghambaby) on my side

On the Hunt side he is grandkid #7 (#2 grandson, but first grandson with the Hunt last name) :)

On my Craven side he is the #31st great grandchild

On my Watson side he is the #30th great grandchild 

I have yet to figure out his placement on the Hunt/Mckee side (anyone wanna do that for me?) ;) 

In May we will have all of the Hunt side back together and will be updating our family pictures then, stay tuned till then for those cousin pictures! :)

When my sisters come to town!

We were so lucky to have my 2 sisters come and visit us (we missed you Chelsi and mom!) It was just a short vacation but I had a ticket to fly back home with them so it all worked out!  I'd say we had a pretty darn well good time!  

They got into town late Thursday night, we picked them up from the airport and stayed up late talking and eating candy!

On Friday we started our morning early by going shopping at Oak Park Mall, Babe took the baby since he didn't have class so we enjoyed the morning with just us. ;)

Later that day we went to Legends outlet mall and had some major shopping success! 

^^Since we didn't have a stroller things started to get heavy with all our bags and the diaper bag so we started to choose stores with carts just to give our shoulders/arms a break!^^ 

Mindy with all the bags (she said it made her look rich!) and Jillisa with Jenson-so nice to have them around!! 

 On Saturday we all headed to see the Plaza, Crown Center, Liberty Memorial,  Hallmark museum, and  to see the Birdies!

             

Not pictured Lunch at Cheddars!  Our favorite restaurant! 

^^Watching movies and drinking Italian Sodas^^

After Church on Sunday (thank you Jenson for having your first MAJOR blow out during church... and Jillisa for changing him and getting poop all over your hand!)  We headed to see some church history sites, Liberty Jail, Independence Visitor Center, and the Temple!

^^ I love THIS blog and her segment "Oh the Places you go..."  I decided I wanted to start doing something like that also.  It will work better with Babe anyway because he sure hates getting his picture taken, and just taking a picture of your feet isn't as bad!  This is the first of many to come, I hope!^^

 Monday came and we were ALL off to Utah to surprise my family! Check out THIS post to see the things we did while we were there! 

Had to make a stop on the way to the airport here, so Jillisa could find a shirt for Austin! :) 

Jenson 7 Weeks

I can hardly believe how big our little guy is getting!  At 7 weeks he has already seen and done so many things, even if he slept through most of them!  

Some things he loves is church history sites, walks, sleeping while being held, smile, baths, and be swaddled up tight!  

He hates getting out of the bath, falling asleep, being alone, and putting on lotion.

Jenson's "new born" pictures

I am so lucky to have such an amazing sister that also happens to be an amazing photographer!  I had Chelsi take some "new born" pictures of Jenson, and they turned out soooo cute! He didn't really sleep the whole time, more like mostly cried with a little bit of sleeping- oh and peeing, lots and lots of peeing but we sure got some keepers!  If you want to have some amazing pictures of your own check her out HERE  or HERE, you wont regret it! 

Because I am "that" mother I am going to post like every picture she took because I just can't choose my favorites, but when you have a little boy like mine I sure you won't be able to either!  

Enjoy your picture overload, because you can bet I am! :) 

 Ahhh I could look at this boy all day!  He must get his good looks from his daddy!

 Love my little red head! :)

Wow if you made it through all of those then go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back! :)  Sorry for the overload- or am I?! :)