Back to School

So Scott got his "U" card today.  We got it largely so Scott could ride the bus and trax for free, but they haven't been activated by UTA yet. 
I'm so tempted to post the picture I took of his card, because it is seriously the funniest picture ever!!  But I'm a good wife and will respect his wishes to not show anyone.  But if you see him you should ask him to see it, He'll likely say no, but harass him enough he'll cave, and once enough people have seen it maybe then I can post the picture.... Just the thought of his picture makes me laugh hahahahaha. 
It's a good thing I love him so :)

Today's thoughts

It's almost 9:30 on a Saturday night, and I still have dishes to do, laundry to fold, a living room to clean, and a shower to take, a pie to make, and nine o'clock church in the morning.  But  I wanted to write for a bit
I really try to stay on top of the house work, and for the most part I succeed.  I take great pride in being a good house wife.  I enjoy the fact that Husband is never without clean clothes and food in the fridge.  It's hard, but I feel fulfilled knowing I can do these things.
For those of you who knew me before I got married, you are probably shocked at my words!  This isn't me at all.  Who knew this little home maker was living inside of me.  I get so bashful when people call me on it. Just the other day my neighbor commented that her house was clean "not by your standards, but it's good for my family"  I was a little taken back by this comment, I'm not a neat freak or anything, and her house looked really clean and pleasant to me.  I guess my lack of furniture makes my house look cleaner than it is, I'm a minimalist.  I've never thought to judge anyone by how clean their house is.  I understand that people have lives, and more than one child, and a husband who isn't at work until midnight four times a week (when Scott is home I don't clean, I spend time with him).
Another thought is how sad  I am about the passing of Scott's grandmother.  I'm grateful that Scott and Rivers were able to see her before she passed away this morning.  She was a wonderful women, and I'm grateful that my sweet little boy comes from such a great family.  I know that he will always be taken care of even if I'm not around.
Yes, I've been dealing with my own mortality lately.  My greatest fear is that I won't get to see my little bald-headed boy grow up.  He is my greatest joy and the reason I stay up late cleaning, and baking and taking care of myself personally.  I need that little boy as much as he needs me.  I am so proud of him everyday, and my blog is largely a tribute to him, in hopes that he can one day read it himself and see how much I love him. 
I always felt I might die young, and because of this I try to make everyday count.  I tell Scott and Rivers  I love them about a million times a day.  We never leave each other with out saying it.  I also tell my parents I love them every time we talk or see each other.  I never want to have any of them question how I feel about them. 
Well my evening tasks ahead of me are piling up, so I must get back to work.  But I hope Scott and Rivers, and my family, and the neighbors know how much I care and love them...

Nathan's wedding

Scott's younger brother Nathan got married, to the sweetest girl named Jessica!!

It was such a good day, and Scott got to cater the event.  Now I'm not a fan of him catering family weddings, mainly because he spends the whole time in the kitchen, and misses things like the first dance, and cutting the cake, and talking with his family, and dancing with me.  I had to BEG him to leave the food to the super nice ladies helping and dance with me.  He just loves food so much! I just love dancing with my husband so much! 

We had such a great day, well all except the part where my super sleepy baby refused to take his afternoon nap at Grandmas house, and just cried the whole time.  Not fun. 

Jessica and Nathan were married in the Salt Lake temple, and had their reception in the Provo Library in the Grand Ballroom they have there.  It was so pretty and such a nice day.  Rivers loved all the music, and all the Aunts, Uncles and cousins that played with him so I could chase my husband and force him to dance with me.  I really like dancing with my husband, who just steps on my feet the whole time anyway.

It wouldn't be a wedding without me getting a super close, super awkward picture of my cute husband :)

9 Months

I've had a hard time writing this post, because I'm still coming to the realization that my little man has been alive longer outside of me than inside.  Crazy I know, but for the last 18 months I have done nothing but care for him, and most of that time he was much easier to take care of.  Babies in the belly may not be great, but I was much less worried and stressed with him inside rather than outside.  Although, I hated being pregnant I do miss having him with me all the time.  He is just so much fun now!  It's been bittersweet watching my baby grow up.

So, Rivers likes to move.  While at the doctors he was crawling and standing and pulling himself up all over the place.  The Pediatrician even made a comment to the effect that he is burning more calories than he's in taking.  He is just so excited about life!  While I was washing the dishes the other day I left Rivers to play.  He's pretty good about staying near me, but sometimes he just wants to explore.  Well it was quite, and like the paranoid new mom I am I was afraid he was dead (I'm always afraid he's dead), so I went to go find him, but what I found was the funniest, cutest thing ever!!  Rivers was in the bathroom, and had discovered the toilet paper!!  He was having the best time!  I was laughing so hard I had to run and get the camera, and he just kept on playing. 

 He's just so happy!!

 How can you get mad at that face?

 Rivers is also standing, here he is playing us a song on the guitar.  Is it too soon to call him a Phenom?  Since California he has been pulling himself up on to the furniture, and recently he has began to let go and just stand there.  He has also been "cruising" along the couch and coffee table.  Well yesterday while playing with his books in the middle of the room, with nothing around him, he pulled himself up into a standing position.  I thought I was just seeing things, but then he did it again about 5 more times, including while in the bath tub.  I shouldn't be surprised, Scott began walking at 11 months, and with as eager as Rivers is to move I really should have expected this sooner, but it was still such a shock. 
He just amazes me everyday.
here are his stats from his 9 month check up:
Weight:  17.7 lbs 10 Percentile (he's a little guy)
Height:  27.5 inches  26 Percentile
he's healthy, and based on height if he weighed too much more he would be a fat baby and we would have to talk about his diet.  He's thin, but as our doctor always puts it when I ask if he's ok "Don't we all want to be tall and thin?"  and like I mentioned before, he's burning calories fast than he intakes them.  I was never a chubby baby, and he's growing and eating and having regular bowel movements so I have nothing to worry about.
I'm so in love with my little guy and I wouldn't have him any other way :)

Pioneer Day!

I love any weekend that involves bbq's and family time.  So of course Pioneer day is right up my alley.  We had a pretty low key holiday this year, but it was still tons of fun.  On Sunday the 24th we went to church, then to my falks house for a bbq, after we headed over to my grandparents house for a potluck and fireworks.  We were out way past baby's bedtime, so we left around 9 and missed the fireworks.  but we had a good reason besides baby's bed time.  Monday morning was the Parade!!
One of our very first, and favorite traditions has been to go to the Days of  '47 Parade that runs through Salt Lake.  Last year we actually spent the night on the parde route, but this year we lived so close we just woke up early and headed over.  Scott left first while I got baby ready for the day then we joined dad and some of our friends as the parade was starting.  The parade this year was better than last years, and I got to sleep in my own bed and that makes things better

 So excited for the parade!!  This was Rivers firts parade, and he loved it!  He loved the police cars and all the clowns that stopped to tell him how cute he was. 

Rivers even sat in his own chair for part of that parade, and didn't start getting grumpy until the end.  Such a cutie! 
Here are some highlights:
Stoned guy in orange shorts walking up and petting the hourses in the parade
Crazy pioneer lady sitting next to us that cheered loudly for everything pioneer related
Free creamies
Gang fight in the house behind us
Nice family who sat next to us that accidentally stole our chair, but don't worry, Scott has some amazing investigation skills, and we found them and got our chair back that afternoon.
Funnel cake.
Watching awesome fireworks from my front porch
It was a great weekend, and I look forward to next years Pioneer day when baby might be old enough to stay up and watch the fireworks :)

A Day in the Life of Rivers McKean Shepherd

Rivers days pretty much the same, and I think he's a pretty lucky kid! Here is a glimpse in to the life of Rivers McKean Shepherd:

Wake up around 7:00.  nurse on one side, diaper change, then play and watch TV while mommy gets ready for the day.

 Nurse on the other side and naps around 8:00. After that... Real breakfast, which includes oatmeal, a fruit and usually some cheerio's or a graham cracker...

 We usually have errands to do, this day I was helping dad fix something, I love to play with rolls of duct tape!

 I'm one lucky kid, I get to go on walks and sometimes I get rained on, but I'm lucky because mommy usually makes it up to me by going on another walk later :)

 I also get to explore outside, there is so much to see in our front yard.

 When I'm really lucky mommy lets me try some of her slurpee, I love slurpees!  I also love going on walks at the park!

 I recently learned how to pull myself up onto the furniture.  But mommy is always pulling me away from the TV  it's not fair...

 Have I told you how much I love the park!! Mommy says we're really lucky to live by Liberty Park, I get to play on swings and eat the grass, and all the old people stop to tell me how cute I am :)

 I love books, this is my current favorite, it's call "Eight silly monkey's"  Have you read it? It's a must!!

 My mom and dad also put this awesome fan in my room.  Now that I can crawl and stand, whenever mom isn't looking I go into my room and try to knock it over.  If you can't find me I'll be in here trying to cut my fingers off...

 I also love my sippy cup!  Nothing like a refreshing drink to help you relax.  I learned to do this after our road trip, that trip might have been more enjoyable if I would have learned sooner I think :)

 Lately I've refused to take my afternoon nap, so sometimes I get super sleepy during dinner.  On this night I get chicken and apples in my eyelashes and all over my arms.  Mom hated to wake me up, but I was a mess!

 So I had a bubble bath, but I found out you can't eat bubbles...

After baths we get ready for bed, and say good night to the house.  Once I'm convinced that nothing exciting is happening with out me I go right to sleep.  These are just the highlights of the day, there's lots more I don't like, like scripture study, family prays, naps.  Those things just stop me from playing and exploring.  I think they'll be more fun when I have discovered everything ever in the world.  For now I'll just pull mommy's hair, climb over daddy and get on my way.  I'm pretty lucky, I have a great mommy and daddy who love me and let me play, explore and learn.
Mommy is right, I live the life :)

Fourth of July!!

So I know I'm a bit behind on this post, but Scott got sick, then I got sick at the same time Rivers got sick and cut a tooth.  I spent many nights sleeping in a rocking chair comforting an unhappy little boy.  Loosing sleep sucks, but I"ll gladly loose sleep to take care of my sick baby who needs his mommy.  He isn't always sick, and he won't always want his mommy, so I'll take the extra snuggles and loves now while he's still so eager to give them.  We're all on the mend now, and we had a great holiday that need to be remember :)
I love any holiday that involves a chance to dress up, eat junk food, and stay up late.  Rivers sure know how to party!!

isn't his outfit just the cutest! My auntie Debi gave it to us, and it's a great summer outfit, plus he looked so festive :)

Here's how our Fourth of July we went down:

Was told by the Bishop in a meeting to spend time with family, have a BBQ, and blow something up with fire.  So, I did.

Scott got a 2 day Holiday from work, which never happens, but magically happened twice this month. With Scott's calling in the Sunday School presidency, and my in the Young Women presidency our Sunday's are pretty busy, and this weekend we both had to teach, so sadly we were unable to attend the baby blessing of Scott's cousins baby (with me on that one?).

After church however, we went down to Scott's grandma's house for the luncheon after.  It was so fun to hang out with all of Scotty's cousins, and show off my super cute little guy.  He loves being around people, and made sure to show off for everyone :)

While we were down there we took the opportunity to see Scott's great Grandma Alta, Rivers other Great Great Grandma, lucky kid has 2!

 Rivers LOVED her!  He was all hugs and stares, which means he thinks that person is important :)

 He was so cute!  He played in Grandma's yarn, and crawled around her house.  I don't think Grandma Alta was up for someone so excited, but she sure seemed happy to see the little guy

  After we visited Grandma Alta we drove over to see Scott's Grandfathers grave.  Rivers, Scott, Scott's dad Mark, and Grandpa Lee all have the middle name McKean after Jean McKean Shepherd. Jean is Scott's Great Great Grandma.  We took a photo, but It wouldn't upload.  I thought it was important for Rivers to visit his great grandpa's grave.  I never met Scott's grandpa, but he seemed like a great man and I hope we will try to go out there every year.  After we got home, we stayed up (including Rivers) and watched the neighbors fireworks.  Rivers loved them!  He only got scared once when one was really loud.  This kid has no fear :)

We woke up Monday and had great fun!  We went to breakfast, played with the neighbors, made cupcakes, and had a BBQ with Scott's other side of the family.  After we came home and watched the fireworks at Liberty Park from the comfort of our front lawn.  Rivers slept through all the chaos, which meant Scott and I got to enjoy the fireworks with our friends with out chasing a rug rat.

I'm grateful for Scott's family, and how wonderful they have been to us.  I'm also grateful for the chance we have to celebrate with all of them.  I want Rivers to know he's loved, and be proud of who he is.

I'm also grateful to live in a free country, and to be able to celebrate those freedoms :)