The Return of the Waterboy....this time it's serious business...

I am just going to warn everyone now....There are way too many pictures on this blog....but I just couldn't help it.

A few weeks ago we went to some friend's house and played in their pool and had a barbeque. It was a hot day and we had so much fun. They have a little girl, Danica, and they get along really well. At first, Kaden was a little apprehensive...


He walked around with his hand in his mouth for about 15 minutes when he finally decided to test the water....


It was actually freezing because they had just filled it up with a hose. The hot weather warmed it up pretty fast though. Finally he got the courage to get in, and once he was in, he stayed there until I forced him out (lips blue, and he was totally shaking and freezing!)


Ahhh MOM!, not in front of my friends!


"Come on in! The water's nice!"




He just loves Danica. And she say's "Kaayen is my best fwind".








Apparently we weren't ready for this picture.

But this one worked out great...and it just shows how happy he was. His face looked like that the entire day. He's my water baby.

My name is Jessica.....

...and I am an addict.

I have a total obsession with fruit. If it were the only food to eat, I would be a happy girl. I love it....all of it. Every fruit imagineable, I LOVE IT. In fact, right now I am chomping down on a bunch (and I do mean A BUNCH) of juicy, plump, perfectly ripe green grapes. The ones that totally explode when I bite down. Nice and sour, and sweet. MMMMM.

I have been known to eat so much fruit my mouth goes raw and hurts for days, but I don't care, because I love it. I love the smell, the taste, the texture. It accompanies every meal...and sometimes it IS my meal. When we lived at Traci's house, she had to tell me not to eat the fruit if she needed it for something, because she knew all too well that it wouldn't last long if I was around.

I have gotten myself into trouble a few times, loading the shopping cart with produce of all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, and forgetting the essentials like milk and bread. It deludes and clouds my mind; I am an addict. I am picky though. Yes, the fruit must be the perfect ripeness to meet my high standards. It must be juicy, sweet, and sour. Perfection. I have passed on this obsession to my little man. He loves fruit of all kinds. And, wouldn't you know we also seem to have the strangest cat around. It's true, when a banana is cracked open, you can be sure Isabel will be on the fly, to beg for a morcel....or the whole thing. She doesn't stop there, no, she loves strawberries and cantaloupe too. She's been caught climbing on Kaden's high chair tray and eating his precious fruit. I can't say I blame her.

And now, for my latest obsession. The Vitamix 5200. After seeing the demonstration, the vitamix was literally taking control of my brain. Grinding, whipping, blending, stirring, mixing, freezing, pureeing, chopping, swirling, juicing..... I broke down after years of wanting one and bought the worlds greatest appliance. Now, I can throw all of my delicious fruits in (seeds, cores, stems, and all..you name it, it goes in), and WALLAH! In seconds, a scrumptious concoction of deliciousness. "Can life get any better than this?!?!? I SUBMIT THAT IT CANNOT!"

(Oh, and this amazing machine can also make soups, grind grains, make ice cream, and oh SO much more. It really is a dream come true).

Celebrating life...

and countless miracles.


Because I cannot forget, I am thankful, I am blessed, and it is so much a part of my life, I remember this day. I have chosen not to remember it as a devastating day (although it very much was, and always will be), but a day to celebrate, in a sense, and to honor not only my sweet husband, but three other very important and blessed people. Three years ago today, our lives were forever changed. We, and our dear friends, came out alive that day, survivors. We continue to triumph and conquer our obstacles. We have all been blessed immeasurably and thank our gracious Heavenly Father daily for the outpouring of love, blessings, peace, and continuous miracles that shower our lives. We will forever be changed and all four of us left with permanent scars, both physical and figurative. These scars will often be seen as ugly, as a sad reminder, but, with the right perspective will also be viewed as a great opportunity for learning and growth, and as reason to give thanks. We are blessed beyond comprehension for our faith and knowledge we have in the gospel. We will forever be changed.

To our dear friends Dan and Ash, we love you so much, and are thinking of you this day and wishing you peace and happiness. (and I hope you don't mind I stole these SUPER cute pictures from your blog.)


Dan and Cal....he was born Aug. 20, 2007. SO CUTE!

Ash and Cal

Here are some pictures of Matt’s journey, a true testament of faith and miracles. Some of them may be a little graphic….and scary (at least to me!).




These were taken at LDS hospital in Salt Lake City, just a day after the accident.


I wore his wedding ring on a necklace for several months. It was such a symbol to me of our love, and possitive affirmation that I carried with me 24/7.

Still in LDS hospital, about 2 1/2 weeks later.


In East Lake Care center, Provo. August 05. We decorated his room with picutres, cards, and familiar things. The nurses called it the "Celestial Kingdom" of the center.

Sept. 05. At this point we thought he was doing amazingly well, which for the cicumstances he was. He was allowed to escape the hospital every now and then, and we really enjoyed that time out.

Every now and then I go through our pictures from the last three years just to remind myself of how far things have come. It is truly indescribable.

And look at him now, a true miracle (or a million miracles), no?

Happy Father's Day!

We decided to head to the lake after church and spend some time splashing and soaking up the sun. It was the most beautiful day and there were tons of people boating, fishing, and catching some rays. I had the best time watching my boys play, and watching other dad's with their little boys fishing nearby. I just let Matt and Kaden interact and took a few pictures. I was so overcome with love and joy.




These two are so cute together and totally in love.







I didn't even know Matt was taking these, but they turned out cute. The water felt so nice.


When Kaden decided to sit down in the mud and water, we decided it was time to ditch the clothes....

He sat and stirred the muddy water and splashed around forever. I got so dirty carrying him back to the car...sans-diaper and clothes.

Happy Father's Day Handsome! Thank you for all you do for our little family....for your endless devotion, love, and affection. We love you!

"Hurry babe! Grab the camera..."

"I think this is a kodak moment!"

I guess my picture obsession is rubbing off on him! I was inside working on a course, just listening to Matt and Kaden talk to each other. I sometimes tease Matt that he explains things WAY, WAY too much for my attention span. I think it's a good thing though....he is so creative in the stories he tells, his explanations about how things work, and whatever else his mind thinks up. Kaden will listen forever....much longer than he will listen to me!




I love this enclosed porch! We spend a lot of time out here. Kaden has completely invaded it with his cars, balls, animals, trucks, trains, you name it. He is running in and out all day long. I love it when I am inside and I hear tons of things banging around and my little boy laughing, babbling, squealing and running around with no particular direction. He loves to be out here, and Matt does an awesome job keeping him occupied when I am busy. They read, play, and just hang out. I love it.

Waterboy

This little boy likes to be outside more than anything else. We have turned our enclosed porch into a little play area for him. We leave the front door open so he can come and go as he pleases. The first thing he does every morning after his breakfast is run to the door and he just stands waving at it trying to get out. I'm so glad that he loves exploring and being outside.


Last week he helped me plant a bunch of flowers in pots. Well....actually he enjoyed eating the dirt from a small shovel. He loves to say "mmmm" after putting something in his mouth. He would say "mmm, mmmmm" after eating dirt, but his face betrayed him. The dirt didn't taste so good. After everything was planted we watered, and that is where the fun really began. I would spray the water in the air and let it "rain" on him. He LOVED it. Needless to say he was completely soaked when we went in.

"mmmmmmmm, mmmmmm!"

Kaden loves Isabel. "kitty" was one of his first words. He is always trying to share his food, drink, toys, and love with her. She isn't always so sure about this.

We don't need to buy gasoline anymore....we have THESE!

Well, it has happened. The unthinkable is now a reality. Yes, gas prices are $4 a gallon and rising. Since we live 20 miles from town, our bank account is taking a big hit. So, after much contemplation and serious thought, we are now going to switch to a new form of transportation. We have been spending months in preparation, building muscles and endurance. We can easily make a 40 mile round-trip, no problem. Plus, I am sure we could figure out a way to pull Kaden along. What do you think?


This picture was taken about three years ago when Matt and I were in Jamaica. That trip together is probably my fondest memory I have of the two of us....(well, besides our wedding and Kaden's birth day of course!)He thought it brilliant to pack scooters along to ride around the islands on. After quite an effort on my part to change his mind, he ended up winning the battle. The suitcases weighed a ton, but I must say, it was a great idea, quite a lot of fun, and if we were the kind to like the mind-altering horticulture, they could have come in quite handy. The Jamaicans thought these were the coolest thing in the world.