tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57318956179812565822024-03-13T13:33:16.064-07:00Madison AvenueJoiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-34212621480801699972012-10-24T09:27:00.000-07:002012-10-24T09:27:13.739-07:00One Year Later...What comes to mind when I reflect back over the past year? <br />
Do I write the truth or just the travel log?<br />
Most of may be more comfortable just reading the travel log. In fact, I may be more comfortable writing out the travel log of what happened over the past year. However, I think in 50 years when I come back to read about this time in my life I would rather read the truth. So maybe I will write a little bit of both....<br />
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Adam finished him MBA.<br />
He is now working with Patriot Home Mortgage, enjoys his co-workers and job immensely, and is having success.<br />
<i>Truth: Like most graduate students, we are in a deep financial hole. We would eventually like to buy a house, even though I don't mind the fact that I live in a townhouse and someone else mows our lawn every week. I actually like that a lot. I'm not much for yard work. </i><br />
<br />Max and Dempsey continue to grow like weeds. They are both experiencing cognitive developmental delays. We have been learning as a family about communication, social skills, and patience at the most basic levels. They are our angels and have changed our perspective on life in many ways. <br />
<i>Truth: I've cried many tears and said many prayers over my children. I've 'grieved' in a sense, as I have come to accept the reality of the situation. I love them more than I can ever express and being their mother is such an overwhelming honor.</i><br />
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My <a href="http://www.joiemadison.com/">photography business</a> continues to be a creative escape for me. I have had opportunities to reconnect with dear friends, meet some amazingly talented artists, and work with amazing clients. It's such an enriching part of my life.<br />
<i>Truth: I've taken a step back from it recently, only taking on 1 or 2 sessions a month so that I may focus on my family and my own health. </i><br />
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Max started preschool in August and we are all happier for it!<br />
<i>Truth: That is the truth baby! The first day was traumatic, probably more for me, but once he got the hang of getting on the bus I started seeing so many changes in him. He is picking up words left and right, following directions, trying new foods, saying his alphabet, able to sit still longer, and having hope for your child's future is all you can ask for as a parent. Yay, for tiny miracles!</i><br />
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So, a year after my previous post, we are doing amazing! Happy and healthy!<br />
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<br /><br />Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-24272621926903604652011-10-29T15:39:00.000-07:002011-10-29T16:16:51.029-07:00Playing catchup and just playing!I could complain about a lot of things like the economy, my pant size, the fact that I live by a college football stadium in the fall...but the thing is today I am so blessed. I shared a few of these photos on my <a href="http://www.joiemadison.com/">photoblog</a>, but I didn't want to give too much detail, because who knows who reads that thing sometimes.<br /><br />We have been stuck indoors for the past two weeks with toddler diarrhea. Trust me, taking stool samples was an all-time motherhood low. Then Adam came down with a bad cold. He has been pushing so hard to finish up his degree and he only has ONE WEEK left. I can't believe that he actually will be completing his <a href="http://www.wgu.edu/">MBA after 6 months</a>. It went by so quick. So last night we took a much need time out and went to the park with our kids. They were elated to be out of the house and the weather was perfection.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_052.jpg?t=1319922125" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_050.jpg?t=1319922134" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><br /></div><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_048.jpg?t=1319922112" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_049.jpg?t=1319922101" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> <br /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_044.jpg?t=1319922077" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_043.jpg?t=1319922054" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_041.jpg?t=1319922060" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> <br /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_042.jpg?t=1319922055" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_046.jpg?t=1319922084" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_045.jpg?t=1319922085" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_047.jpg?t=1319922080" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/oct_051.jpg?t=1319922106" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> <br />Max-Max. Doesn't he look so grown up in the photo above?<br />I want to tell you why I love this photo.<br />Max is looking at me.<br />My boy, who a <a href="http://joiemadison.blogspot.com/2011/08/max-episode-2.html">few months ago</a> I wasn't sure would ever speak or look me in the eye again, now will look into my eyes the whole time while I sing the alphabet to him. After almost nine months it brings a tear to my eye, because I know he can say "mama" again.<br /><br />He still has a long road to travel, but he is making his way back to us.Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-43558323612412341632011-10-29T15:14:00.000-07:002011-10-29T15:39:36.797-07:00¡Aye Mi Niña!My baby turned ONE on September 30, 2011.<br /><br />PHEW! I won't lie. It's been a long tough year, but we made it together and after all that hard work we've all put in we are not about to give up now!! We love this sweet girl. Here is a list of things that my Dempsey-girl does that make me smile:<br /><br />-she has lightning fast reflexes and when we go to get her out of her bed in the morning it's almost like seeing a triple flip up to standing position, because she is so excited to see us!<br />-loves to tap things with her index finger.<br />-does little random dance moves moving her shoulders up and down.<br />-can say mamama and dadada, but has a very pronounced BaBaBa and will even wake up in the middle of the night to say BaBaBa.<br />-she's got a huge gap in her two front teeth and it reminds me of Mater from the the Cars movie, so I am always saying she has "two buck teeth for one buck"<br />-she wears a shoe size 6 already! she's going to be tall like her daddy!<br />-she is in 18-24 months clothes.<br />-her hair is coming in slowly, but surely and though we try to deny it, it seems to have a tinge of red.<br />-she's a climber and I am constantly pulling her down off of the furniture and stairs.<br />-she will have nothing to do with dolls, jewelry or anything "girly". However, if you give that girl a ball, she is very happy!<br />-she has a strange fetish with the posts on our bed. she gets overly excited to go into our bedroom and try to get her mouth on that bedpost.<br />-she loves playing outside and if ANYONE goes out the front door without her she throws the biggest tantrum ever.<br /><br />She is pretty fond of playing with Adam and he likes to throw her around. By the time these kids are old enough for tumbling, they may think it's too boring. :)<br /><br />Happy Birthday my beautiful girl. We love you so much!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_067.jpg?t=1319923134" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_068.jpg?t=1319923153" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_069.jpg?t=1319923164" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_070.jpg?t=1319923167" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_071.jpg?t=1319923174" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> </a><br /></div>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-26151068526369551992011-10-29T14:03:00.000-07:002011-10-29T15:12:33.919-07:00Birthday explosion!September is definitely the month to be born in...6 people in my and Adam's family were born in September. We had a giant party, complete with piñata, for Me, Becca, Roy & Dempsey. This is how it went down in Hurricane...<br /><br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_053.jpg?t=1319923034" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /><br /><br /><br />It's pretty much pure torture to expect a fat kid to sit and stare at a chocolate cake.<br /><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_054.jpg?t=1319923040" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /><br /><br />We have a drama queen on our hands. If meals and naps are not kept on a strict rotation we have total meltdown. I'm pretty sure she gets it from her dad's side of the family. 'winky face'<br /><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_055.jpg?t=1319923042" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /><br /><br /><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_056.jpg?t=1319923048" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_057.jpg?t=1319923051" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /><br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_059.jpg?t=1319923059" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /><br /><br /><br />After about 5 minutes of digging, she finally got to the actaul cake, but by then she was already spiraling into a frosting induced coma.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_058.jpg?t=1319923060" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /><br /><br /><br />The rest of us had to share a cake, which pretty much proves that life doesn't get much better after after childhood ends. Live it up while you have the chance, my children.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_060.jpg?t=1319923070" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> <br /><br /><br />Becca's mom, who hails straight from the motherland i.e. El Salvador, was attempting to teach us gringos proper piñata etiquette. It involved blindfolds, spinning, counting, and the crowd heckling a dizzy person with a bat...it was like trying to recreate a drunken riot without the alchohol.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_061.jpg?t=1319923084" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> <br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_062.jpg?t=1319923082" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> <br /><br />Of course, everyone was surprised at my pent-up rage. All I need do is imagine the roaches, mice, and ants that once bombarded that very kitchen and no piñata within 20 miles is safe.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_063.jpg?t=1319923119" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> <br /><br /><br />Trent(right) was having a nice time making us all look silly as we swung into thin air and missed the dancing target. <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_064.jpg?t=1319923120" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /><br /><br />Adam gets the award for killing the piñata as he continued to beat it's lifeless cardboard frame long after it had exploded all over the ground.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_065.jpg?t=1319923121" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " /> <br /><br /><br />Then propor protocol states that you use the cones from the piñata to collect the candy...yum, candy canes in September, just what I had been wishing for. :)<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1yr_066.jpg?t=1319923118" alt="demps1yr_053.jpg " />Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-40333967082160909092011-09-11T20:47:00.000-07:002011-09-11T22:08:12.721-07:00Labor Day of Love.<div style="text-align: center;">Labor Day weekend we took a drive up to Pine Valley. It is just perfect up there this time of year. There is a quaint little chapel nestled in the panoramic countryside. A little while after we got there the congregation got out of their afternoon meetings and the grounds were filled with beautiful mormons all in their colorful summer sunday best. It made me feel like I was on the set of a mormon movie. Everything just looked so perfect. I know. I should have taken a photo.<br /><br />The chapel grounds were gated,<br />which is so nice because we can let Max run free.<br />He and Dempsey are happiest when they can cut loose and explore to their hearts' content.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_009.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_008.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> Dempsey LOVES to climb stairs. She is stellar at going up. But her technique of coming down face first...needs work. I keep trying to show her how much easier it is to come down feet first, but apparently she's already decided that Mom doesn't know anything. And of course, she will still blame me when she has to learn the hard way. She is finding parent-training to be quite challenging. <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_007.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> <br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_010.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> <br />Max, on the other hand, thinks he has us whooped.<br />Which may or may not be the case when he whips out those baby-blues and long lashes. Resistance is futile. <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_012.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_011.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> <br /><br />Labor Day Monday we headed into Snow Canyon Park to have a little lunchtime bbq with Uncle Trent and Aunt Becca!<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_013.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> <br />They brought their doggies along for the fun: Cinnamon and Coconut. They showed us their synchronized spin moves for pieces of cheese. (The dogs, not Trent and Becca. ;) However, I have been known to perform for cheese as well.)<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_002.jpg" alt="labor_002.jpg " /> </a><br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_006.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> Dempsey hung out in the BOB(love the BOB dualie!!!) and Max wandered around kicking rocks, frequently checking the occupancy of the outhouse...you know, boy stuff.<br /> <br /><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_004.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> <br />Then things REALLY got cooking! LOL.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_005.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> mmmmm.......kabobs and hobo dinners over charcoal on a cloudy afternoon. Perfect.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_003.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> Dempsey had her first taste of lollipop. She wanted her hands all over that thing!<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/labor_001.jpg" alt="labor_009.jpg " /> Being only a 10 minute drive to the park from our house...I can't wait to do it all again! Sooo fun!<br /><br /></div>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-44300056025581827982011-08-29T11:57:00.001-07:002011-08-29T12:50:30.989-07:00Max Episode 2My heart breaks just a little bit to write this post, because when I think back to <a href="http://joiemadison.blogspot.com/2011/02/8teen.html">this post 6 months ago</a>, that little boy seems to be lost to us. Don't get me wrong, much of Max's stong will, stubborn, defiant personality has been consistent since the beginning. However, in the last 6 months he has completely stopped talking. Perhaps once every other day we will hear him mumble a familiar word, but he will not be encouraged, coaxed, or even bribed to speak. In fact, the more we make a big deal about it, the more upset he becomes. At the moment his main form of communication is whining, crying, and pulling us in the direction of things he wants. There is no attempt at pointing, making gestures, or anything that resembles language. As parents, it leaves us frustrated and confused as to whether he is refusing to speak or is truly not able. He also enters any type of social interaction with his peers with great anxiety. Coming face to face with other kids or even his baby sister, he just tenses up, flees the situation, or cries as if he has encountered a large dog.
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<br />For months we have told ourselves that it is probably just because we have moved, or he is the oldest and he is just getting used to his baby sister. However, Dempsey will be a year old next month and he should be adapting to the situation better than he is now. We took him to the pediatrician and they threw out the dreaded "A" word...autism. Of course, there is no official diagnosis, and we are certainly NOT going to put a label a him just to have an answer. Autism is a spectrum disorder and the assessment process is very long and involved. I have a younger brother with special needs and I know how devastating it can be when you don't know how to help a child that cannot properly communicate his thoughts & feelings with the world. In the end, this may be simple and it may be serious, but either way Adam and I just want to know how to help Max be a successful and happy child.
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<br />On a positive note, he interacts with Adam and I very well. He cuddles, laughs, and plays. We love how he can hardly contain his excitement when he watches his favorite videos. The excitement literally physically takes him over and he starts running back and forth and shaking his hands back and forth as if he can't help himself. He is always excited to see us whenever we come down the stairs. When we play outside and he has been running around for awhile he will come up to me with mouth wide open as if he is surprised and I know that is my cue to tell him how glad I am to see him. I love how he loves to be loved...and he reminds me everyday how lucky I am to be his mother. I love my beautiful boy.
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<br />Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-59016858319349238872011-08-27T10:36:00.000-07:002011-08-27T10:48:39.426-07:00The Big 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQABDdlc1qs/TlkskOP--BI/AAAAAAAAA6c/mysrRopMzjY/s1600/max_001.jpg">
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<br />Well, it happened. Overnight we went from counting months to counting years and our little Max is 2 years old. Max is not one for all the crowds and festivities so we just had Nanna, Gramps, Uncle Trent, & Aunt Becca join us for some Tritip on the grill.
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<br />He may be shy around people, but him and that chocolate cake got to know each other very well!
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max_001.jpg" alt="max_001.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max_002.jpg" alt="max_002.jpg " /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max_003.jpg" alt="max_003.jpg " /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max_004.jpg" alt="max_004.jpg " /> </a>
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<br /> </a>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-43121443600682437072011-08-26T14:53:00.000-07:002011-08-26T17:55:59.876-07:00MIAHello friends and family,
<br />I can't even begin to tell you about the summer we have had around here, but I promise some new posts are coming in the next few days!
<br />
<br />In the meantime, just wanted to mention that since I am ramping up business, I want to go private with this blog. So if you want to continue eavesdropping on our personal lives, then leave your email in the comments, so I can send you an invite. ;)
<br />
<br />xoxo Joie
<br />Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-23078063232607558482011-07-05T13:27:00.000-07:002011-07-05T14:07:03.487-07:00Freedom!We finally took the time to actually celebrate a holiday. Adam took time off from the MBA program he recently started. I took a break from the computer, which all too often takes too much of my attention with my fingers in 2 businesses, blogs, photography, and a myriad of demanding social media, feels like a 3rd child sometimes.<br /><br />When we moved into this place, we knew it was a prime location, but we didn't know just how awesome it would be until we found out the parade would be going right down our street and we could watch it from our balcony!!! Max was all too happy to be outside that early in the morning.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/4th_006.jpg" alt="4th_006.jpg " /> </a><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/4th_007.jpg" alt="4th_007.jpg " /> <br /><br />Dancing and walking forward at the same time...blows my mind. I can't even talk on the phone and shop for groceries....fail!<br /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/4th_010.jpg" alt="4th_010.jpg " /> <br /><br /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/4th_008.jpg" alt="4th_008.jpg " /> <br /><br />It was a perfect day. The weather was overcast and it kept the typically intense St. George sun at bay all day. We made our way around town and ended up at the splash park. It was all I could do to keep this fiesty little girl from going all in--my mistake for not bring the bathing suits!<br /><br /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/4th_009.jpg" alt="4th_009.jpg " /> <br /><br />That night we gathered around with a couple thousand of our closest friends lining the streets to shoot off some fireworks. Once again we watched the city put on an amazing show from our balcony. It was dualing shows between the rodeo stadium 2 blocks in front of us and the distant Dixie rock a few miles in the distance. The show went on for a good 30 minutes and we were pretty darn impressed. Our kids slept through the all the jaw-vibrating explosions and even the firetruck sirens, and firecrackers that went on well past midnight. Happy Independence Day America!<br /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><br /></a><br /></div>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-67704942938048631012011-06-15T11:06:00.000-07:002011-06-15T11:51:29.058-07:00Like WeedsI have really been neglecting my blog lately. My <a href="http://joiephotography.blogspot.com/">photoblog</a>, however, has been getting a lot of attention. I had a little spring rush and was editing like crazy. I'm glad to have a respite, because sometimes prolonged editing in front of my LED screen makes my eyeballs start burning out of my skull.<br /><br />My kiddos have been changing so much lately. Max has been doing a lot better. Between Dempsey being born and us moving, he has had a lot of regression in the last few months back to very infant-like behavior. He would refuse to use the words that he knew, more whiny than usual, wanting to suck on a sippy cup constantly as if it were a bottle, and very antisocial(crying the entire 2 hours through nursery even with one of us there). In my research of his behavior, I was reassured that it was very typical with children that are so close in age and going through stressful situations like moving, to revert back to behavior that is more comfortable to them. So, at this rate Dempsey may be catching up to him very soon and I will most likely be potty training them as if they were twins.<br /><br />He seems a lot happier lately. He has been using his words more. He didn't cry much in nursery this last week(even though that's our calling now, so we are in there the entire time). He seems to be adjusting to a new routine and feeling comfortable in his new home slowly. One of his favorite things to do is go outside in the morning right after they have turned the sprinklers off in the courtyard. The sidewalks are covered with puddles and he loves to run as fast as he can and splash water all over. I love how happy it makes him.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max-demps_008.jpg" alt="max-demps_008.jpg " /> </a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Some photos I look at my kiddos and I see glimpses of me or they look just like Adam.<br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max-demps_006.jpg" alt="max-demps_006.jpg " /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Today, for some reason, I kept seeing my Mom in my kids and the resemblance was crazy to me...maybe I was just missing my mom a little bit. :)<br />Max is beside a photo of my mom in kindergarten and Dempsey is next to a baby pic of my mom.<a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max-demps_001.jpg" alt="max-demps_006.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max-demps_002.jpg" alt="max-demps_006.jpg " /> </a><br /></div><br />My baby girl is 8.5 months old now. I have missed a couple of her monthly updates, and she is almost crawling and practically walking. She has no balance, but she loves for her hands to be held so that she can lead ME around the room. She is very strong-willed just like her brother and I am very terrified of the day when they are both running from me with reckless abandon. For now, though, I will just enjoy my sweetheart who is eating 3 jars of baby food a day, loves elmo like her brother, hates bows on her head, has 8 teeth already, is very tall and wears size 18-month clothes.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max-demps_003.jpg" alt="max-demps_006.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max-demps_004.jpg" alt="max-demps_006.jpg " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/max-demps_005.jpg" alt="max-demps_006.jpg " /> </a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger">Totally rockin' the 80s zebra shorts!</a><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> </a></div></div>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-31984690009814744032011-06-10T14:13:00.000-07:002011-06-11T09:03:26.180-07:00Grandad is 80!<div style="text-align: center;">So, I wanted to share a little about my <span style="font-weight: bold;">Grandad</span>, because that's really all I know is a <span style="font-style: italic;">little</span>. Grandad is what my younger brother Tori has called him for as long as I can remember. Anyway, this weekend he is turning 80 years young! How amazing is that? We have to miss his birthday celebration, so I am going to put up a little tribute to him here.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Jack D. Sheffer</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The "D" doesn't stand for anything on his birth certificate, but his father was a huge fan of the boxer Jack Dempsey, so that's who he is named after. Then we named our daughter Dempsey after Grandad.<br /><br />Jack is #5 out of 8 brothers.<br />He lived in Hurricane, Utah for much of his schooling, because his mother was ill and they thought the warmer climate might help her. Ultimately they moved back to the Uintah Basin and he graduated from Alterra High school in 1949. I love the photo on the right, very James Dean.<br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/gran_060.jpg" alt="gran_060.jpg " /> </a><br /><br />Unfortunately, a couple months after his graduation his mother passed away.<br />All eight brothers are pictured below, dressed for her funeral. She was only 44.<br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/gran_069.jpg" alt="gran_060.jpg " /> <br />(L-R) Rulon, Dan, Gene, Jack, Don, Bert, Ivan, & Klin<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Grandad went on to marry Betty Elizabeth Powell and start a family. They have 4 children: Marilynn, Scott(my dad), Mark, & Jean.<br /><br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/gran_061.jpg" alt="gran_060.jpg " /><br /><br /><br />He worked for many years blasting dynamite in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilsonite">Gilsonite</a> mines. The Uintah Basin is the only place in the country where this mineral(a type of natural asphalt) is found.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/gran_062.jpg" alt="gran_060.jpg " /><br /><br /><br />In 1985 they moved to Salt Lake City to manage some condos in the avenues. We loved going there to visit them as children, because 1) it was the "big" city and 2) they had a swimming pool on the roof of a 7-story building! holla! We always had family photos taken on that roof...<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/gran_067.jpg" alt="gran_067.jpg " /><br /><br /><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/gran_064.jpg" alt="gran_060.jpg " /><br /><br /><br />Vernal was always his hometown, so as soon as they could retire and move back, they did.<br />He's a huge baseball fan and loves University of Utah basketball, so he doesn't often go without wearing Utah or Cincinnati Red.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/gran_068.jpg" alt="gran_067.jpg " /><br /><br />My grandad and my grandma are both very avid horseshoe pitchers.<br />They have gone to the Senior games in St. George and won gold, silver, & bronze medals. <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/gran_065.jpg" alt="gran_067.jpg " /><br /><br /><br />This photo is from their first cruise together in Alaska. For this 80th birthday, all his kids sprung for a another cruise in the Caribbean.<br /><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/gran_066.jpg" alt="gran_067.jpg " /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grandad is always good for a story. One of my favorites is when he talks about his dogs named "Stoopid" and "Dummy"--my husband does a killer impression of his gruff voice.<br />We love you Grandad! Happy Birthday! You are definitely one of a kind!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/DSC_0383.jpg" alt="DSC_0383.jpg " /></div>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-35217371627161511882011-05-20T19:21:00.000-07:002011-05-20T19:46:11.634-07:00rare moment. . .Dempsey has hit her stride. These days she doesn't sit still unless she is asleep. She is the most wiggly baby I have ever known. She rolls, scoots, twists, wriggles, picks things up with her monkey toes, army crawls, spins, pivots, pulls, grabs, arches her back, kicks, and whatever else she can to get herself around the room and get hold of the things she wants. She hasn't actually started crawling, but she will push herself up onto her knees, so I know it can't be far away. Even when we are outside she wiggles herself off my hip and wants me to hold her hands so she can walk around. She's only 7 1/2 months and already this little girl just can't wait to be off and running!<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps-crawl.jpg?t=1305945411" alt="demps-crawl.jpg " /> </a><br /><br /><br />Because of her new found mobility, it is a rare moment for Dempsey to sit still and have a little cuddle with her momma. So this evening when she was very sleepy and wanted to lay her head on me, I had Adam grab the camera and snap a few shots, so I could remember my sweet little baby before she turns into a running little toddler too darn fast.<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps1.jpg?t=1305945462" alt="demps1.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps3.jpg?t=1305945496" alt="demps3.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/demps2.jpg?t=1305945527" alt="demps2.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/cuddle-demps.jpg?t=1305945553" alt="cuddle-demps.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><br /><br /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><br /></a>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-9109186544424777872011-05-13T15:28:00.000-07:002011-05-13T15:53:31.077-07:00Doce de Mayo~llevamos 5 añosOur anniversary was simple.<br />We took our little family to Zion's that morning.<br />The 5 of us(including Lindsay) stood in the soupy, clay mud between two waterfalls.<br />We smiled and laughed politely at 50 different comments<br />about bringing a double stroller out onto a hiking trail.<br /><br />We are simple.<br />We have simple dreams.<br />We looked back over what it meant to come together 5 years ago and what we have created together.<br />Times have changed; plans have changed; we have grown.<br />We ate steak and sushi and talked about the future.<br />We watched The King's Speech. Amazing.<br />We feel a great sense of resolution.<br />Our joy is full.<br /><br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/Panorama1.jpg?t=1305317982" alt="Panorama1.jpg " /> </a>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-53393470251221076482011-05-13T15:22:00.000-07:002011-05-13T15:59:50.454-07:00a mom's day miracle...I woke up on mother's day to find that my two little ones had stayed up all night making beautiful handmade cards for me. There were special messages from each of them. Each individual letter of each word in a different colored ink. So creative, so much time and effort put in...I'm sure their dad must have have at least helped them with the glue and scissors.<br /><br />It's so sweet to be their mom.<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/card2.jpg?t=1305325338" alt="card2.jpg " /> </a><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/card1.jpg?t=1305325339" alt="card2.jpg " /> </a>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-42562005069280550472011-05-13T13:21:00.000-07:002011-05-13T16:04:09.030-07:00you got to move it move itBeing my 7th move in 5 years of marriage you would think I would be a pro at it. Well, I had big plans to go through everything we owned, organize it into corresponding boxes, ready for Adam to load and move. It's amazing how 2 tiny little people have double our accumulation of things. My best laid plans are always thrown off by those two scrumptious babies who, the second I turn my back, take things out of the boxes as I am putting them in...Luckily, we were only moving 20 minutes away and by the end of the 2nd day everything was getting shoved into the closest box, even dirty clothes.<br /><br />Thus far, Adam and I haven't been too picky when it comes to where we live, although I have become more particular with kids in tow. Every place we have ever moved into has always been the first place we have looked at, we're not much for shopping around. We did some online research and this townhome became available to rent. It was just the right size, right location, right price...sold.<br /><br />My inlaws so graciously let us stay in their vacant home for a year after Adam was laid off and we will forever be grateful for the time to get back on our feet. It's very nice to move back out on our own and start a new chapter of life.<br /><br />Here's a preview of the living/kitchen area. It's a mess, I know. My bosses are both under 2 years old and very demanding. Plus, I am no decorator. That's a 911 call I'm putting out to Martha Stewart and Kathy Vincent. :) We've got a second floor with 2bed/2bath. Go down one level to a 2 car garage. Go down one more flight to the basement and there are 2 more rooms, laundry room/bath. I am loving my 20 foot ceilings, tall windows with tons of light, and gated courtyard out front.<br /><br />Stop by anytime!(unless you are a pedophile, murdered, or thief.)<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> </a><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> </a><div style="text-align: left;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img style="width: 912px; height: 331px;" id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/Panorama2-1.jpg?t=1305324049" alt="Panorama2-1.jpg " /> </a><br /></div>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-35126361487637926472011-04-22T11:14:00.000-07:002011-04-22T12:24:31.176-07:00April ShowersAs the old saying goes: <span style="font-style: italic;">when it rains, it pours</span>... While there have been a few literal rainstorms this month, I'm actually refering to the fact that we are all busy, busy, busy.<br /><br /><br />Lindsay has been working furiously to sell her <a href="http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=4165164">Scion</a>, register for summer semester at Dixie State, working 30 hours a week at the theater, & losing 35 lbs. There is always time to get her 'tourist' on, and while I'm sure we can't afford to go inside, she had to stop for a photo opp at the Biggest Loser resort right outside St. George. It's one of our favorite shows and we love watching people transform their lives.<br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/bigloser.jpg?t=1303497111" alt="bigloser.jpg " /> <br /><br />Adam has been super-busy. For the past month he has been working from 8am to 8pm everyday trying to finish up this beast-of-a-job. I think it is magnificent. Every time I see it, I am just blown away by the intricacy of his skill. I just see all the time and painstaking detail that went into creating it and I am in awe. Yes, I am a proud wife who just has to brag a little bit about the best stone mason in the state. ;)<br /><br /><br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/rock2.jpg?t=1303497111" alt="bigloser.jpg " /> <br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/rock1.jpg?t=1303497111" alt="bigloser.jpg " /> </a><br /><br />Max and Dempsey have been the busiest of all. Everyday when we go out into the yard to play, Max has a routine/set of rituals that he performs in succession. He must always climb up and down the stairs several times, run to the back door, put a few random objects in the doggy-door, and take them all back out again. I'm sure all the cars driving by are wondering why he is constantly in the downward dog position.<br /><br />Dempsey is content to massage her teething gums on the swing and watch Max wander around the yard getting through his important toddler agenda.<br /><br /><br /> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/150%20days/downward-dog.jpg?t=1303497111" alt="bigloser.jpg " /> <br /><br />I must be a glutton for punishment, because amidst all of this I decided to do a bunch of promotional photoshoots. I always underestimate the time it takes to edit, blog, network, email, ship orders, and keep the rotation going. You are welcome to go check out what I've been up to <a href="http://www.joiephotography.blogspot.com">HERE</a>...or don't, this blog doesn't take any prisoners. :)<br /><br />And as if this month couldn't get any busier, next week we are moving yet again! This will be our <span style="font-weight: bold;">7th </span>move in <span style="font-weight: bold;">5 years</span>. Luckily it's just a short move from Hurricane to St. George proper, but moving is always a tedious inconvenience. Anyhow there may not be much posting here for a couple weeks. So take care until then, my friends.Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-51505555038676669862011-04-14T20:01:00.000-07:002011-04-14T20:21:30.948-07:00Roommates.There were many who said it couldn't be done.<br />But I did it.<br />6-month Dempsey and 19-month Max now share a bedroom.<br />Even after only a couple of days it is a much more rested household. I really think they like being in the same room together. It's as if they are comforted by hearing each other's familiar voices, even if it is often times crying. They both go down around 8pm and sleep all night until close to 7am, when one of them wakes.<br /><br />If one baby in this house is awake, it means we are all awake...except Lindsay.<br /><br /><a> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/babyroom1.jpg?t=1302836605" alt="babyroom1.jpg " /> </a><span style="font-size:85%;">(So I really wish I had a super-cool fisheye lens on my camera, but I actually took a series of photos in their tiny nursery and merged them all in Photoshop. Despite the distorted angle, there is barely room to sleep in there as is evidenced by the makeshift bookcase/closet in front of the window and no empty wall space anywhere!)</span><br /></div>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-32779067190072847592011-04-06T09:39:00.000-07:002011-04-06T10:12:59.308-07:00vanity.So, I've noticed little things about my son as he has been growing and his personality has been developing. It's fun and funny to see how he reacts to everyday life. Why just this morning I pulled on a bright pink t-shirt and came out of my bedroom for the day. When he saw me he had this freaked-out look on his face and started backing away from me. I was trying to give him a hug and tell him good morning, but he just clasped his juice cup tighter and ran toward the couch. He buried his face and was crying(with streaming tears) into the cushion. I crouched down to ask him what was the matter and to try to reason with him(futile), but everytime he looked at me he just wailed even louder. I couldn't help but chuckle, because it just seemed so ludicrous that he was afraid of seeing me in a pink shirt. I put a dark blue sweatshirt on over it and then he was all too happy to come to me and be comforted.<br /><br />In the back of my mind I think he is trying to tell me that I can't pull off an outfit with color...in other words, stick with dark colors and nuetrals, mom.<br /><br />Max is also very particular about having food on his face. Don't get me wrong. He can get down and dirty with the best of them, but when he is finished with his meal he wants his hands and face wiped. He doesn't like that feeling of yogurt running down his chin, syrup on his fingers, or anything that he has to wear on his head for that matter.<br /><br />Last weekend, Grandma Sheffer was in town for a conference, so we went to hang out with her. While we were sitting in the hotel room, Max became quite enamored with his reflection in the full-length mirror. It was hilarious to watch him dance and make faces, and do a double-take every time he would pass by. It must be hard to be so cute.<br /><br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/maxmirror1.jpg?t=1302109000" alt="maxmirror1.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/maxmirror2.jpg?t=1302109000" alt="maxmirror1.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/maxmirror3.jpg?t=1302109000" alt="maxmirror1.jpg " /> </a><br />...just after I published this post, I went into the bathroom to find Max in my makeup drawer, his face covered with shimmery, purple eyeshadow. I don't think it's your color, Max.Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-89380359305205285812011-04-04T20:12:00.000-07:002011-04-04T20:54:07.801-07:00You are my sunshine...When I found out I was pregnant with Dempsey, I cried. Not a happy cry either. I wasn't ready for another baby, not yet anyway. Max was only 4 months old, Adam had just been laid-off from his job, and we had just made a huge move from California back to Utah and the future was uncertain. Now, when I look at my precious sweetheart, I can't imagine my life without her. From the very beginning she knew me. Even the doctor was stunned that she already had separation anxiety at 6 weeks old. I love having a little soul that needs me...she makes my heart happy.<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/Dempsey/demps-chair.jpg?t=1301974401" alt="demps-chair.jpg " /> <br /></div><br />We don't actually celebrate half-birthdays at our house, but to make it to your first half-birthday is quite a milestone. Little Dempsey is not a cuddle-bug anymore. She wants to go, go, go. She hasn't quite mastered sitting up or crawling, but she can roll and scoot around in circles pretty well to get to things she wants. She is very strong and I have no doubt she will be on the move very soon.<br /><br />She has managed to start holding her bottle up all by herself, but sometimes she just wants mom to do it anyway. We started with some solid foods and she is doing okay. She likes to stick her tongue out, but I'm persistent and we are able to keep most of it down. So far, she has only tried rice cereal and sweet potatoes...April's menu will include squash, green beans, and peas(is your mouth watering yet?)<br /><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/Dempsey/demps-bottle.jpg?t=1301974401" alt="demps-chair.jpg " /> <br /></div><br />At about 5 1/2 months old she cut her first two teeth! There they are in all their glory and all the fun that comes with them. She wants to grab and bite everything within reach. If it's not within reach you will get the following face which leads to much more screaming and arching of the back. Yes, this redhead has a little feisty streak. <span style="font-style: italic;">She definitely gets that from her dad. :)<br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/Dempsey/demps-teeth.jpg?t=1301974401" alt="demps-chair.jpg " /> <br /></div><br /><br />(the stare-down) Mamma's sassy girl.<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/Dempsey/demps-mad.jpg?t=1301974401" alt="demps-chair.jpg " /> <br /></div><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><br /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">...you make me happy when skies are gray.</span><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><br /></a>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-73124736211673677882011-03-31T11:21:00.000-07:002011-03-31T16:50:31.106-07:00talk derby to meThis may have been the most successful, efficient pack meeting yet! I started the morning out by baking 9 dozen chocolate cupcakes. I didn't go too overboard on the icing and decorating--just a simple gummy car fit the theme quite nicely.<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/2-square-cupcake.jpg?t=1301596434" alt="2-square-cupcake.jpg " /> </a><br /><br />Later that afternoon, Adam headed to the church for the official weigh-in. Now anyone out there who's been a scout, or who has a husband that has been a scout, knows that this is the singular event when fathers all of the sudden turn into little boys. The competition can get quite intense. I can remember going to my brother's derbies and it was all about having the coolest, fastest car out there--like it was somehow an extension of their manhood. 20 years ago, you could count on some arguing, trash talking, and I've even heard rumors of fists being thrown. Luckily, technology has done away with a lot of that.<br /><br />We just paid a fee and a couple came with an entire computerized setup. The track was connected to a projector and the software did all the work. In fact, once they got all the boys' names into the system, Adam and I actually just sat back and enjoyed ourselves. It would electronically calculate the times out 6 decimal places, automatically bracket the boys according to how fast their cars were and then after everyone had raced four times, it averaged everyone up to see who the winners were....GENIUS!<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/6-space-collagederby.jpg?t=1301596434" alt="2-square-cupcake.jpg " /> <br /><br /></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/7-blocksderby.jpg?t=1301596434" alt="2-square-cupcake.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><br /></a>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-77339982617473873302011-03-29T09:23:00.000-07:002011-03-29T09:37:56.325-07:00messy businessI really hate cleaning up after kids. Not that I have OCD or anything, but I guess I do have some control issues and I like my household run my way...who doesn't? So whenever possible I just try to avoid messes altogether. Well, I've come to realize that I'm not doing Maximus any favors by trying to keep him clean at mealtime, because there is only one way to learn to feed yourself....<br /><br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"></a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/max/7-boxeat-1.jpg?t=1301416655" alt="7-boxeat-1.jpg " /> </a><br /><br />Luckily it's warming up. Maybe I can just move his high chair outside or let him eat in the baby pool so I can just hose him down afterward. ;)Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-47440244616211054982011-03-07T12:45:00.000-08:002011-03-07T15:01:43.034-08:00Be Seduced.So this is a very late Valentine's day post, but only because Adam surprised me with tickets to The Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas and we just saw the show this past weekend. It was Ah-mazing.<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/phantomland-keyquotes.jpg?t=1299537917" alt="phantomland-keyquotes.jpg " /> </a><br /></div>Even though Gerard Butler ranks right up there with some of the best phantoms of all time, there is nothing like seeing a live, organic show on stage. I love the freedom of having my own experience rather than having the camera dictate what and where I should be looking. I have seen the live show a couple of times before, but I was looking forward to the Vegas version. I was not disappointed. The length of the show was shortened from 3 hours to only 95 minutes. The theater was built especially for the production to look like a 19th century opera house.<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img style="width: 899px; height: 674px;" id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/8d0e094f.jpg?t=1299537704" alt="8d0e094f.jpg " /> </a><br /></div>The special effects, stunts, and pyrotechnics were in true Vegas style. It was pretty exciting to see the phantom himself hanging from the chandelier and actual fireworks going off inside the theater. My only criticism would be that it did seem rushed as they tried to fit all of those huge songs back to back in such a short time period, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Adam's not a big fan of musical theater, especially the type that have little to no dialogue. He said if he had not seen the movie he wouldn't have been able to follow the sing-songy story line.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="visibility: visible; height: 355px; width: 474px;" id="fullSizedImage" class="media" alt="" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/p460738-Las_Vegas-Phantom_Face.jpg?t=1299537917" /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">mosaic in the lobby of the theater</span><br /><br /></div>Adam is a true sweetheart for going to the theater with me when it really makes him cringe. However, his ulterior motives were revealed when he said we would be going to Ruth's Chris steakhouse for dinner. It just so happens to be his favorite place to eat. Ever. I had no objections :) .<br /><br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/vday1.jpg?t=1299538052" alt="vday1.jpg " /></a>These are the roses he sent to me on Feb. 14th...pretty.pretty. Right is a photo I made him pose for before we left for the show. He can hardly contain himself...Love you Am!<br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">On a less romantic note...I got him a new cell phone, because Max threw his other one in the bathtub. </span>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-61892495350629555562011-03-03T15:39:00.000-08:002011-03-03T15:45:50.551-08:00DejavuDempsey hit her 5 month mark this week and I snapped a photo of her first ride in the swing. I suddenly had a case of dejavu...frankly, I've been having a lot of those lately, but Dempsey does have a personality all her own and she is making this second go around just as exciting.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">March 2011</span><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/swingweb.jpg?t=1299195571" alt="swingweb.jpg " /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">May 2010</span><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/webswingmax.jpg?t=1299195572" alt="swingweb.jpg " /> </a></div><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> </a>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-16010344095002843582011-02-25T13:07:00.000-08:002011-02-25T13:52:26.946-08:00Spare TimeBeing a mom is easy<span style="font-size:85%;">(insert sarcasm)</span>...I don't have that much to do. I mean really, I wish I could just find something to fill all of my free time. My mind is wandering, my hands are idle, if there was only some solution to all of my boredom woes!!<br /><br />And Adam, he might as well retire he sits around the house so much. Okay, okay, not our house. He's actually been working feverishly for the past four months on a home in the <a href="http://www.kayentahomes.com/">Keyenta communtiy</a>. I dare say it is some of his best work to date and his skill level is right up there among the top masons in the state, but then again, I am bias.<br /><br />Each stone is cut and fit tight into place with so much accuracy. It is a very meticulous and tedious process. He will be blogging more about it very soon on his own site, but here is a sneak peek of the fireplace.<br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/rockcollage.jpg?t=1298668751" alt="rockcollage.jpg " /> <br />Anyway, he has been working 10-12 hour days trying to get this job done. Plus, you know, being a dad and husband is pretty demanding work too.<br /><br />So, about 9 months ago we were given the most challenging calling we have had thus far.<br /><br />Cubmasters.<br /><br />Each of us have served in various capacities in the church and figured there was nothing we couldn't handle. Well we weren't prepared in the least for the commitment required by this calling. And no, being a little cub scout in no way prepares you for leadership in scouting. I didn't know anything about the organization, the previous cubmasters had moved away, and the bishopric was suddenly replaced. We didn't know what we were doing. Den leaders were getting frustrated by lack of communication. We found oursevles resistant to the old fashioned suggested techniques of singing silly songs and acting like clowns in front of the boys. I remember my dad being the Cubmaster when my brother was a cub scout and he put so much time and effort into making every pack meeting spectacular. It just felt as though we were always coming up short each month.<br /><br />After Christmas we recommitted ourselves to being more organized and really focusing on what the boys need and not so much what the adults expect. Our first large event of the year was the Blue & Gold Banquet--a celebration of the history of scouting. It took a lot of planning, delegating, and preperation. We had over 100 people RSVP for dinner and trust me, I am no caterer.<br /><br />Besides the food, we had to prepare the awards the boys had earned during the past month. So I took a page from my dad's cubmaster book. He always had some unique/surprising way of presenting the awards. So I made a giant cake out of cardboard. Then using cardboard tubing from wrapping paper and toilet paper rolls, I put the boys' awards inside and wrapped them up to look like candles to put on the giant cake. Each candle had the boys' names and Adam called them up one by one to open up their awards at the banquet. The invites were reminiscent of a bandanna, and I even made little tokens of appreciation for the leaders involving a bunch of yummy mint candies.</a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/scoutcollage.jpg?t=1298670050" alt="scoutcollage.jpg " /> </a><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"><br />I wish I had taken more photos at the event of all the balloons, banner and flags made by the boys and spaghetti we made, but the truth is I was running around like crazy trying to make sure everything was done. I could never be an event planner. I can barely make dinner for my own family let alone 25 other families. I appreciate so much my sister who was there helping in the kitchen and everyone else who helped us pull it off. We have learned so much during our time as Cubmasters so far.<br /><br /><br />Next months challenge....Pinewood Derby.</a>Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731895617981256582.post-4427594038034329862011-02-18T10:24:00.000-08:002011-02-18T12:38:47.094-08:008teenMaximus and his parents have survived a whole eighteen months. I know it sounds totally cliche, but it does seem like yesterday that we were <a href="http://joiemadison.blogspot.com/2009/08/boy-oh-boy.html">bringing Max home</a> over the Golden Gate Bridge. Now he is a big brother and I often have to remind myself that he is still so much a baby in many ways.<a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img style="width: 898px; height: 579px;" id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/feb47.jpg?t=1298054691" alt="feb47.jpg " /> </a><br />Adam and I are often shaking our heads and trying to catch our breath with this little guy. We go to church and look around at the other little kids and we don't see any in his age group with the same strong, defiant, stubborn will as Max. Sometimes I suppose it can be embarrassing, because in the same situation I might tend to think that the parents are too lax and need get their kid under control, but this is what I get for being judgemental. Max has an attention span of about 60 seconds unless he is watching Blues Clues, Elmo, or one of a handful of DVDs he has seen dozens of times. He refuses to be shown anything new. If you try to teach him how to play with a toy, he immediately assumes you are taking it from him and throws himself to the couch with his head down to pout. I get this same reaction about 50 times a day. Whenever I try to initiate play with him, if I don't get his juice fast enough, if he doesn't like his food, if I tell him to stop playing in the trash can, or stop pushing the buttons on the t.v. a tantrum ensues. The concept of "if you perform some action--then you will get to do what you want" is totally lost on him still. He wants what he wants, right.now.<br /><br />He is fearless. He will run into a crowd, out in the street, or out of my view in a store without hesitation. No separation anxiety for this boy. The only reason he cries when we leave is not because he will miss us, but because he can't go outside too. He does not listen worth beans. I could yell and repeat myself until I am blue in the face and he will continue to do whatever he is doing. We have started giving him time-outs in his bed, because make no mistake, his is very intelligent, and though we may not be able to reason with him, repetition is our only means of helping him understand that actions have consequences. Although, sometimes he just doesn't seem to care and I just have to keep reminding myself that it's all about consistency.<br /><br />Many times people ask me if he loves Dempsey and if he is a good big brother. Ummmm, not really. He is still a baby himself and requires a lot of attention. He hardly acknowledges her existence, until recently she has begun grabbing his books and toys and he gets infuriated. We have a lot to learn about sharing. He's not so much the nurturing type. On the other hand, he loves to get praise from Momma and Dadda, so he will give her kisses on the head, whenever he is in a good mood, because we will tell him what a good boy he is...<a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img style="width: 900px; height: 602px;" id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/md1.jpg?t=1298058478" alt="md1.jpg " /> </a><br />Yes, he is intense about 75% of the time. However, I've learned to read him(cope) and can most of the time either avoid a melt down or diffuse one. Despite his high octane personality, he can be really sweet. He has always been very vocal, he has a very large vocabulary for his age, but I think his inability to communicate clearly is what fuels many of his tantrums, so I am hoping his disposition will improve with his capacity to speak. He is in a very affectionate stage and he loves to give kisses and has finally figured out how to make the puckering noises to go with them. He loves going outside more than anything in the world(except playing with doors), he is fascinated by his shadow and will also give it kisses in the air. He wants to run aimlessly and just yells into the wind because he so happy to be free.<br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img style="width: 900px; height: 602px;" id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/max/soc10.jpg?t=1298059516" alt="soc10.jpg " /> </a><br />Doors.<br />Any kind, anywhere. We could be at the park trying to show him how fun the slides are, but the second he gets to the bottom he bolts for the closest door he can find...which is usually the restroom. Open, shut, open, shut, if we would let him he would just do that all day long. He is very mechanically minded and is always pulling things apart, turning them upside down to see how they work. Definitely all boy.<br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/maxdoor.jpg?t=1298058277" alt="maxdoor.jpg " /> </a><br /><br />He likes to dance. It is the cutest thing ever. I don't know where he learned it, but whenever he hears some music he lifts up his elbows, alternates moving each shoulder up and down and then bounces his knees so his little bum shakes...so funny. He has no patience for reading books. He has certain pages he wants to look at and then he is done. When he was really little I used to read him these two books that had prayers in the end and so the last word was always "Amen." Now whenever he gets to the end of any book he says, "Amen!" When he gets excited or really mad he will say every word he knows which usually consists of, "mama, dada, becca, nana, clock, ball, moon(boof), hat, car, house, what's that, wow, juice, cak(cookie), elmo, nemo, blues, shadow, light(nat), allgone, and probably a few others I can't remember.<br /><br /><br /><a id="zoomedLink" title="Click to zoom out." class="menuTrigger"> <img id="fullImage" src="http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp74/joiester/maxlaugh.jpg?t=1298059051" alt="maxlaugh.jpg " /> </a><br />We really love this little guy. Even though he challenges us everyday we know that he is a very strong spirit saved for a very scary world. We always hope and pray we can give him the love and guidance he needs to grow up and be the man he is meant to be.Joiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002907240558025989noreply@blogger.com10