Sterling's Debut Part II

There were some "issues" at the hospital with the hospital photographer taking her picture so rather than have our first "No, we are her parents. I know I didn't give birth to her" fight, we bailed with no picture. But it worked out better for us because we got two of our friends who are photographers to do newborn photo shoots with her. Their photos were immeasurably better than anything the hospital could have done. So take that dumb hospital photographer!
Here are some of our favorites from photo shoot number two. Thanks Heather!

Sterling's Blog Debut

When Sawyer was about 4, and he wanted to reference the entire family, he would call us "the 5 family." For example, "Is Finn just going or is the 5 family going?"

Now we are the Six Family.

The story of her arrival is long, and we will get to that later. But for now, enjoy these. She had two photo shoots within the first two weeks of her life. Here are my favorites from the first one! Thanks Ann!

Jack got Brazil, I got a Canon.

Not that it's tit for tat over here (who are we kidding?) but with Jack gone to Brazil, I was left with lots of time on my hands. Time to think, and time to buy. We stewed for months about whether or not I should go to Brazil with him, and in the end, I decided I should stay home. Jack was bummed because he kept trying to get me to go, but it just never felt like the right decision. Now I know why. Because if I had gone to Brazil, I never would have felt justified in buying my new Canon Powershot SX40. I have been wanting a bridge camera (or superzoom, as my research taught me they are called) for a few years but my old tiny camera just wouldn't die. It tried a couple times, but was brought back to life each time. Jack took it to Brazil and while he was away, life was happening and I couldn't take pictures. I really had no choice in the matter--the situation compelled me to buy. It was almost like a power controlled me. (we are all clear this is total crap, yes?)

So far my favorite function is the "sports" dial. It allows me to take continuous action shots. You know, for all the sports I attend. (insert trampoline shots, the sportiest sport at our house)

I love it! And I've only had it for a few days but I am having so much fun. On the down side (maybe), it did not come with a manual (sorry Jack-now I CAN'T read it) so I am just playing around. And here is what I have done with no skills and no manual...

Imagine what I can do when I have some skillz!

P.S.-This post is sponsored by My New(ish) Job!

Chee-z-y Postcards, "This Insults Women" Stickers, and Blue Nail Polish

I was looking for something in office and stumbled across my two shoe boxes and decided it was time to reminisce. You know "the boxes." The memories you hold onto from your other lives. With the Jack gone and the boys wrapped up in the Olympics, I pulled them both down and decided to take a stroll.

It's crazy (there is a better word, I just don't know it) how many different lives we live. Each of mine have sculpted and crafted me into who I am today. Some for the better, some for the worse. I don't want to wax all philosophical here, but reading all the letters, seeing all of the phases-it feels like I have crammed so many lives into my 35 years of living. Remembering I was a person before I was married. I had loves and friends and experiences that were incredible and amazing and such a blessing to my life. Remembering Jack and I were lovers before we were parents. We were parents of 1 before we were parents of 3. We were young parents before we were old parents.

I just feel blessed for the phases of my life and all the people along the way who have inspired me, taught me, connected with me, loved me, and helped me become ME. What's the next phase going to bring?

No creepy naked men eating strawberries, but still fun

As we were planning our trip to UT, Jack and I wanted to do some things with the boys that we used to do while we were in college. One of them was hiking to a local hot springs, the Hot Pots, and swimming in the warm water. As we investigated, we found the hike was 2 miles in and thus 2 miles out. Nothing to college students--a hassle for the 6 year old. We thought that might be a little long for Sawyer (yeah, Sawyer would be the one struggling...)  in the 100 degree heat, so we looked to see if there were others. Of course there was, but this one seemed the best. Indeed it was awesome! One of the major highlights of the trip for me. The open waters required life vests, but the little "tubs" on the side did not.

 The water was about 90 degrees and the open water was 70 feet down. The inside of the crater felt spongy and dense at the same time. It was totally crazy, and wonderful. The water was so clear! We went with cousins Reaghan and Haden, who live 45 miles from the crater, but had never even heard of it. Makes me wonder what is just around the corner here at home that we are totally missing. For all you UT dwellers and SLC visitors, GO take a dip in the crater. (Plus, since you have to pay here, unlike the spring of college years, you are guaranteed everyone will be clothed, unlike the spring of college years! At the Hot Pots, you never knew who would be there lanky and naked, climbing over the rocks. No this is not a reference to Jack.)