Monday, June 20, 2011
Mommy/Baby Photo Shoot
I'm always complaining to James that there are no pictures of Lily and I. Finally, I just grabbed the camera and took some of us. I'm glad to have some of us, but I'm the first to admit they would be better if taken by someone else. Any volunteers?
Smart, Part II
Just let me brag for another second that Lily is wonderfully smart. She only has one toy for the bath.(well, that and a cup) The other day she was playing for a few minutes and I saw her do the following.
What a happy girl!
What a happy girl!
Hair Update
My hair is going back to having some wave, but still no frizz! I'm sad the best parts of the blowout are starting to go away. It's taking longer and longer to blowdry and it's getting more froof. BUT, I can still let it air dry without it looking crazy. That's a HUGE thing. I am so glad I had it done.
The most telling will be if at the end of the 12 weeks, I am thinking about paying my own money to have it done again...stay tuned!
The most telling will be if at the end of the 12 weeks, I am thinking about paying my own money to have it done again...stay tuned!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Grandma Stephenson
My Grandma and Grandpa Stephenson live a short 45 minutes away. James and I have tried to visit them a few times a year. Each time we do, we are rewarded with gratitude for our amazing posterity, the lessons that the elderly have to teach us and the perspective gained from a lifetime of experiences. This past couple of weeks I have been feeling prompted that I needed to call my grandparents and visit again. Then, yesterday, my sister mentioned that she had heard that my grandmother had an MRI. I got a sinking feeling in my heart because I knew that I should know these things and what's going on. I love my grandparents so much and I like to think that I keep an eye on them. Immediately, I called and spoke with my grandpa. He said my grandmother has been sick for 3 months and things have not been going well. I scheduled to visit the next afternoon.
James and I visited today for less than an hour and we were unable to get many details, but Grandma has lost a lot of weight in the past few months and she's having a very hard time eating and sleeping. The fact that they took me up on the offer of meals is a sure sign that they are struggling. They are from a generation that takes care of themselves. They don't want to accept help, but I hope that any family members reading this will take a moment to tell them that you love them. Don't let the moment pass you by to tell those you love how much you love them!
James and I visited today for less than an hour and we were unable to get many details, but Grandma has lost a lot of weight in the past few months and she's having a very hard time eating and sleeping. The fact that they took me up on the offer of meals is a sure sign that they are struggling. They are from a generation that takes care of themselves. They don't want to accept help, but I hope that any family members reading this will take a moment to tell them that you love them. Don't let the moment pass you by to tell those you love how much you love them!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Extreme Makeover - Hair Edition
I just turned 29 and was feeling really old and kinda ugly this year. For my birthday, James and my wonderful friends Lindsay, Olivia, Heather and Esther got me a hair make-over. It was a 5 hour appointment and I came out a new woman! Check out my ghetto before picture and the all-new after Malea! I totally understand that beauty is only skin deep, but it sure does feel good to do something for myself.
I had my hair cut, highlighted and had the Brazilian Blowout. The Blowout is like getting your hair laminated. It takes away frizz and smooths down waves and curls. I am SO glad I had it done!! See for yourself!
I had my hair cut, highlighted and had the Brazilian Blowout. The Blowout is like getting your hair laminated. It takes away frizz and smooths down waves and curls. I am SO glad I had it done!! See for yourself!
Monday, May 23, 2011
So smart!
I HAD to blog about my baby because this week she totally spoke several times! Now, I am meaning words that are intended and decipherable. Not babble. She's been babbling for months. So her first words were officially, "Where's dad?" He had just left the room and she was looking around for him. I almost died. She says mamama plenty, but not in regards to me. :(
Then, yesterday at church she said, "hi" to two people. We say hi to her quite a bit so that's no surprise. And then just now, 10 minutes ago, she was sitting on dad's lap and Jack jumped up to join her. She said "Jack!" twice in a row then pushed him away.
This baby is not even 11 months old yet! I have to admit, I knew she'd be a fast talker. She's been very verbal for a long time. Now, if we could only get her to crawl or creep or anything more than sit and spin. She's got the physical ability, but I think she's scared and hasn't been motivated enough to make it happen.
These pictures are about the best ones of me trying to get those legs underneath her!
Then, yesterday at church she said, "hi" to two people. We say hi to her quite a bit so that's no surprise. And then just now, 10 minutes ago, she was sitting on dad's lap and Jack jumped up to join her. She said "Jack!" twice in a row then pushed him away.
This baby is not even 11 months old yet! I have to admit, I knew she'd be a fast talker. She's been very verbal for a long time. Now, if we could only get her to crawl or creep or anything more than sit and spin. She's got the physical ability, but I think she's scared and hasn't been motivated enough to make it happen.
These pictures are about the best ones of me trying to get those legs underneath her!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Working Mom
I'm working full-time now. I have to be completely honest. I hate it. I have basically put aside my top priorities: home, family, sibling and friend relationships, garden, budget and self. All of these are sacrificed for money.
I did not choose to work full-time. I was working part-time to help out and there was a major need at work. Without fully realizing the life-changing consequences, I agreed to work full-time for a very short amount of time: no longer than 6 weeks. And I told them I would need a raise. Well, they met my requested increase in pay and, seeing the company's need, I agreed. Last week was the first week and I almost quit. The only thing keeping me there is my commitment and loyalty. I've seen my home decline into a pig pen. I have seen James and I become short with one another as more and more of the weight falls on him and I get more and more tired.
I am more sure than ever that almost any family can subsist on one income, no matter what that income is, but it is a choice and sacrifices have to be made. When I am working, we spend more because we have limited shopping time and we do not look for the lowest prices or use coupons. We are also not cultivating the garden that I so desperately wanted to grow this year. We did plant tomatoes, because that is my bare minimum. We eat out more often because no one wants to cook after a long day at work, and no one makes lunches. Lily still can't crawl at 10 months and I blame myself for not spending enough time teaching her. She does have an amazing sitter, though, who is working with her. More on that later. Finally, I have lost the mental stability that comes with personal time. I work all day and then come home to work another full-time job of cleaning, laundry and baby. I'm not complaining, but I am saying that it is unsustainable and I have no idea how people do this. It just seems that there are diminishing returns.
One thing that keeps me going (besides my word) is that the money we make is earmarked for fertility treatments to have our next baby. Truly, that is a major blessing. We don't know how many months we will have to try to get Lily a sibling. At $500 a month, there's just no way we could afford that without this income. Heavenly Father has truly blessed us and I am grateful that we have this opportunity. I am grateful for and love the life that I have. I just can't wait to come back home and enjoy it.
I did not choose to work full-time. I was working part-time to help out and there was a major need at work. Without fully realizing the life-changing consequences, I agreed to work full-time for a very short amount of time: no longer than 6 weeks. And I told them I would need a raise. Well, they met my requested increase in pay and, seeing the company's need, I agreed. Last week was the first week and I almost quit. The only thing keeping me there is my commitment and loyalty. I've seen my home decline into a pig pen. I have seen James and I become short with one another as more and more of the weight falls on him and I get more and more tired.
I am more sure than ever that almost any family can subsist on one income, no matter what that income is, but it is a choice and sacrifices have to be made. When I am working, we spend more because we have limited shopping time and we do not look for the lowest prices or use coupons. We are also not cultivating the garden that I so desperately wanted to grow this year. We did plant tomatoes, because that is my bare minimum. We eat out more often because no one wants to cook after a long day at work, and no one makes lunches. Lily still can't crawl at 10 months and I blame myself for not spending enough time teaching her. She does have an amazing sitter, though, who is working with her. More on that later. Finally, I have lost the mental stability that comes with personal time. I work all day and then come home to work another full-time job of cleaning, laundry and baby. I'm not complaining, but I am saying that it is unsustainable and I have no idea how people do this. It just seems that there are diminishing returns.
One thing that keeps me going (besides my word) is that the money we make is earmarked for fertility treatments to have our next baby. Truly, that is a major blessing. We don't know how many months we will have to try to get Lily a sibling. At $500 a month, there's just no way we could afford that without this income. Heavenly Father has truly blessed us and I am grateful that we have this opportunity. I am grateful for and love the life that I have. I just can't wait to come back home and enjoy it.
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