MIA

We have been moving for the past week. It's been SO.... moving. You know how it is. It feels so great to be where we are, but so many decisions, junk to organize and to chuck etc...I have a lot to catch up on, A LOT. But for now, I don't have much time...So I can't wait to get in touch with some of you who I haven't responded to yet and catch up on some pretty crazy things going down for us. OH, just a note...We are having a fast tomorrow, Sunday the 25th, for my Daddy. They found a tumor in his intestines and he is getting it removed Wednesday. So if any of you would like to add your faith, thoughts, and prayers to ours, we would love it!! I love you all.

Sunrise, Sunrise...

Looks like mornin in your eyes. But the clock's held 9:15 for hours...Thank you much Nora Jones. So this morning, at 5:07am, my alarm on my phone began "serenading" me with "You, are my baby love, baby love, you make the sunshine bright, OOOH boy, you're my every everything that I could ever dream of." Typically when I hear that song, I scramble to hit any button so the madness will STOP! Again and again. and again. and again. Anyone who really knows me knows I am certainly, not in ANY circumstances a "morning person." It honestly feels like the absolutely most dreadful, unnatural, and horrific occurrence, getting out of bed. ESPECIALLY before the sun has come up.

My sweetheart, I love this, used to have to get up at 4ish in the morning to catch the "express bus" that went straight up to the U from Provo when we were first married. Back when he was planning on Dental School, HA! It was hilarious, the first word out of his mouth every morning, without fail, was some sort of profanity. Usually OH SHI*!!!!! Not that I blame him. We are two peas in a pod.

I, on the other hand, can honestly say, besides those days when I used to have to wake up and take him down to the bus-stop, I haven't seen the sunrise in YEARS!!! Not even when Jaxon was nursing. THANK heavens for that.

My friend, Steph and I have had several tearful laughs talking about this issue. She told me about her morning wos and it has to do with the first words out of her mouth being SOB. So now we have a code, "it's been an SOB morning, but I'm trying to get over it." This is one of the reasons I love this woman so much. MM hm

So back to this morning. Steph is leaving for 5 weeks to Florida today. :( :( :( I am so happy that she gets to run away and have a great time, but I might cry, that's all I have to say. So she has been going to Jazzercise for a while now at the butt crack of dawn, 5:30. I decided to take one for the team and go with her today for a "going away" present for her. (not really, but HA HA, how generous am I? Shows how much I love her.) I can honestly say, besides the agony of realizing after that damn song blares on my phone and jerks me out of my peaceful state that I can't keep throwing it against the wall every time it speaks up, I actually have to move my tush vertical and move my ace, I actually enjoyed "sneaking up on the day" by being awake early enough to witness an actual SUNRISE!

I got to shake it using the step. (a fun little twist on the workout--ending up 180 degrees opposite the whole class, SMACK dab in the front one time.) But you know, it really was refreshing! I got to have a nice bath with Franky(tunes) and all the tub toys, of course, but alone! I can't remember the last time I have done that. Normally the sound of the tub water running is Jaxon's que to bolt, strip, and join whoever is getting in. Here are some perks from waking up earlier. (I have been considering pros and cons to see if it's really worth it.)

*Some completely alone time. No one needs anything, and it's my choice what I listen to, think, and do.

*Move that body!! I am an active person, naturally. But it doesn't always come natural if ya know what I mean. Having a little one makes things a little tougher, timing wise. It is so nice to get it done first thing in the morning, so I can feel the release FIRST and start my day and thinking right.

*Heavenly Father answers prayers when my mind is emptier and more open. Those two components usually don't grace my mind during my chaotic days. How about you?

*An extra few hours before anyone is even living!!!! Oh, my goodness. How often do we, moms, complain about never having any ME time?!?!? I wish for more all the time. Not girl's night out, or date night, but at home with no one asking for anything, or needing anything just "hm what can I do now?" type time...Well, it may not be easy to hear, but for me, at least, it's my own dang fault. If I choose to sleep in, I am pretty much kissing ME time goodbye. Choices, choices.

*An overall better feeling about utilizing life and putting first things first. I am a huge believer that we constantly need to nourish our minds, spirits, and hearts by reading wholesome, uplifting books (including the scriptures) AND write in a journal. I LOVE THIS. However, sometimes, as crucial as this is in the overall scheme, it can all-too-easily be pushed aside and soon we find ourselves depleted, tired, overwhelmed, maybe depressed, hopeless, NOT in touch with the Spirit, and definitely not our "best selves."

This, for me is the most important aspect and the argument that might just help me continue to move my ace and start living, really living, when normally I would be dead to the world and swearing my face off. It looks pretty clear cut on paper doesn't it? HM...we'll see how it goes tomorrow when that dang phone blares rudely and interrupts my blissful sleep.

What do you think?!

What a BLESSED feeling...

This up here, has been me... but-Oh my goodness. I have great news! I finally found a system for "archiving" pictures that I actually feel great about! Allow me to expound a little so this makes sense...

Ever since I have been engaged, and married, I have tried to figure out what is my style as far as picture storage/display. I have given a few methods a very honest attempt and nothing ever seemed to fit my needs and not send me into an OCD frenzy. I honestly can't tell you how many conversations I have started {I'm sure most of you can recall one of these} trying to get some input on what might be the answer...

*I gave the "shoe boxes full of random pictures idea" a go. Needless to say, uh uh.

*I tried tiny albums that are only 4X6 a try, dysfunctional.

*I made a couple wall collages, love them, but seeing as I take around 5million pictures a month, not sufficient.

*I gave old-fashioned albums a chance, liked the simplicity and quickness but felt I needed more room to journal a few thoughts pertaining to the pictures.

*I have entertained the thought of digital scrapbooking, still-not my style. There is something about a tangible picture that is valuable, in my eyes.

*I love LOVE the idea of blogging as a journaling with photos experience, but that doesn't change that I still have a butt-load of pictures sitting in my closet...

*Last but not least, I have REALLY really tried hard to be a scrapbooker. Ask Brandy, Ericka, and mostly poor Steph... I really gave it an honest effort. I thought I would just have to eventually conform and get comfortable as a scrapper, so I very intently tried for years, YEARS to catch "the bug" but never could settle in. I need to preface this...I have a lot of very dear friends who adore this past-time so no offense even in the smallest degree is intended in what I am about to say it's merely an explanation of MY unique experience with the craft..

uh um.

After much deliberation, long dry-eyed hours, all-night-crops {poor, poor Steph} frustration, agony, guilt, self-questioning, soul-searching, praying {okay maybe that's a bit of a stretch}, and Christy furrowed eyebrows I finally, just recently declared to myself and all those around {who give a hoot} that I am officially NOT in any way, shape, or form, a traditional scrapbooker. I even brought a tax project to the last "scrapbooking" night. Just so I could still hang out but not be antagonized by the "under construction" relationship of me and archiving me!

I feel like Iris {played by Kate Winslet} on "The Holiday" when she finally realizes she is done loving the scum-of-the-earth, pig-dog, Jasper. She has this glorious moment of truth after he chases her all the way across the world and lets her think "they" will work out, all while engaged to another chick. Iris is standing in the doorway and literally, physically pushes him out the door and says, "Get the hell out!" and basically tells him, "I am done loving you and trying to love you!" You can so vividly feel the emotional release she experiences as she shuts the door behind him and leaps for joy!!! I can hear the music right now.

This is Me!

I am done trying to love something that causes so much uncertainty, frustration, feelings of inadequacy, "always behind-ness," and artificial self-expression to my life! I am liberated! Enter solution. One of my close friends, Stephanie, a few months ago, knowing my hunt for Mr. Right, showed me a miraculous & surely inspired invention. That, at the time, wasn't even available for purchase. Even the idea of it, however, was enough to calm my troubled heart. Alleluia.

It is...drumroll please... Pebbles in My Pocket brand spankin new "Share and Tells." TA DA!!!

These babies are incredible. They are a 12X12 size sheet protector separated into 6/4X6 photo sleeves per page. So what you can do is slip pictures in the slots BUT if you would like to journal or add a small "embellishment" into one of the sleeves you can. The beauty is, it's a 4X6 size. NOT a 12X12 blank area staring up at you, taunting you with its endless possibilities! And a myriad of neglected pictures begging, incessantly, constantly, no matter where you run calling to you, HELP ME HELP ME I need to be loved!!!

AH YES ain't that fresh?!?! I am in heaven.

So tonight, I joined my crazy scrappin ladies at the 5pm-2am scrappin night at about 11pm. Took out my pictures {starting with my most recent pics or my head might explode} put them into the sleeves, leaving one or two slots blank for journaling. Next, I went to my trusty journaling cards and wrote what I wanted associated with each cluster of pictures, adding a flower or sticker here or there. THE END.

None of this, flipping through "idea books" narrowing down a decent layout, then staring {deer in headlights} at the pictures for ten minutes, waiting to be struck by "idea lightning," then spending at least an hour deciding where to glue which paper, in what order, and how to arrange the embellishments. Then another 30 minutes second-guessing myself and asking everyone if my layout {for a whopping 3-4 pictures} looks cute enough. Then another 30 minutes "inking" each page element. Next, lining up the ribbon and figuring out how to glue it so the bow stays frontwards. Another long while cutting holes in the page so you can spend more time setting the eyelets and brads. Then a 30 minute break due to the headache and brain crampage. You get the idea....

I can't tell you the sheer and unadulterated elation I, Christy Jex, am feeling at this moment. Angels sang tonight as I speedily FINISHED organizing a large set of pictures, expressed my {+our} style in the simplistic, colorful, focus mostly on the pictures themselves, do-able way I have been yearning for. Exquisite. Heavenly.

I really feel WONDERFUL!!!!

{and it's 4:00 in the morning}

And I was worried about some fine lines...

Ever feel like this?

I know I do.

Feng shui

I have found an example of a "three column" layout. I am so excited to edit mine to this. Having some issues, but am SO excited to have better use of space on this bloggin fool's blog.

Danger

I want to post about this weekend, in detail. But for now, I don't have lots of time. Let's just say I feel like I was walking around with a pen and paper writing all the hilarious things coming out of Jaxon's mouth. He grew up in the last few days! I can't believe what a big boy he is turning into. Here's a sample of the funny things he said...

We were driving to James' sister's house and on the way, we drove past a wire fence. Out of no where Jax screamed, "OH das so janjwous!!!! Is wike Spidaman. Oh, bess youw hawt, Daddy. Is so janjwous." translation: " Oh, that's so dangerous, it's like Spiderman. Oh, bless your heart, Daddy it's so dangerous." We were laughing so hard still trying to keep the conversation going so we could find out what he meant. Then he said, "Das my kina janjer." Translation: "That's my kind of danger."

The funniest part was how enthusiastic he was. You would have thought the car was on fire the way he suddenly screamed so urgently! Our conclusion was that he was excited, because it looked like the fence on Spiderman that Peter Parker climbs up. He is VERY attracted to and excited about anything dangerous. He gets a little scared, but enjoys it more than I'd like!

We drove past the letter G on the mountain for Pleasant Grove and also drove past the Y. Jaxon told us after pointing them both out, "We betta fine a wetta O!" trans: "We better find the letter O."

I love these times. I love Jaxon's age. The unidentified causes for tantrums, string cheese drawings on our black table, being sent to time-out by a three-year-old all are cause for joy. We are alive and thriving! Thank heavens for the "beverly" at See's Candies, if wasn't for an occasional trip, I might just cry.