Adult Goings On.

Sorry, this is a lame post w/ no pictures.

So, I see my husband even LESS now.

But it's all for a good cause!!

Jordan started school a couple of weeks ago, and he is getting acclimated to schoolwork and classes pretty nicely.  He is taking an Engineering class, a Computer Programming (JAVA, I think) class, and a math class.  Next semester he hopes to add one more, which would be a full load.

So, on Mondays and Wednesdays he is gone for 12 hours.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he is gone for 14 hours.  But Fridays, he only works (8 hours...but he always stays late!) and he has Saturday and Sundays off.

So I'm a single parent most of the week, but we get to see him on the weekends a lot, which is nice (if he'd stop working overtime on Saturdays!).  Except when he's home, he's studying a lot too, so really, it sucks.

He will be pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering at the U after he gets as many classes done at the less-expensive, SLCC, which happens to be RIGHT by where he works.  So that's good.

I am also doing some studying.  There are a few photographers in my neighborhood, and they have inspired me to actually learn how to use my digital SLR.  Jordan is pretty good with it, and, I feel pretty confident in editing the shots, but I really need to learn how to use it, from a technical standpoint.  Basically, the artsy stuff I am better at, and the technical left-brain stuff--that's the harder part.  That is seriously the mantra of my life.

In fact, I tell my friends that when I was dating people, if the guy said that he wasn't good at math or science on a date, it was a complete turn-off.  What would I do when my kid was in like 3rd grade and had already exceeded my math abilities and needed help??????  I needed to find someone I could say "Go ask your Dad" about, and mean it!  So I'm glad I have Jordan.

But I digress.  So, instead of me taking a $300 seminar or expensive classes to learn how to use my camera, Jordan said "no way Jose" and downloaded a textbook for me to read.  So far, I'm learning a lot! When I have the chance to read, let's be honest.

I'm also working on getting better at design. Been working through a bunch (OK a bunch is a bit of an overestimation since I have limited time) of Photoshop and Illustrator tutorials.  I'm pretty good at Photoshop but Illustrator--I have a lot to learn.  MAN, I wish I'd majored in graphic design at school.  I just felt like I wasn't artistic enough or cool enough I guess.  At BYU it was very competitive.  But seriously, when I drive down the road and look at all the UGLY billboards and other advertisements, I realize I was wrong.  I could do way better than whoever designed that piece of crappiness :)  So, as a self-taught designer, I have been doing a few projects for my friends. It is so fun. I really love it.

So, the more I think about it, the more I realize that a mom with two kids really has a limited amount of things in which she can focus her attention.  There is house-cleaning, laundry, breaking up kid fights, cleaning some more, feeding them, and then maybe after they're in bed by 8 or 9p.m. you can do something you want to do. That's when I do my crafts, sewing projects, and read my textbook :)  And wait up for Jordan to get home.  At midnight...well, apparently. It's way past and he's still not here.  But it's all for a good cause!!!

OK, enough of my ramblings.
That's what's going on with us.
Until next time.

Jordan kneels a lot at work.

We patched all of his jeans last night. It was awesome. With the new sewing machine. First we iron on the patch (inside the jean bc outside looks LAME-O, and he can't look lame-o in front of the little old Asian ladies at work, can he??) and then we got denim thread (yes, they have that at JoAnn's!) and used this swirly stitch to adhere the patches better (bc let's be honest...iron-on doesn't really stay.) You can hardly tell they were ever mended. DAd - are you so glad you raised such a thrifty, self-reliant daughter?? I am :) Wait. I shouldn't have asked that because you'll probably come back with, "Well, instead of buying him the stylish 40 dollar Levi's, you should buy him the $15 Kirkland jeans and then we'll talk." Haha.

Maybe I should just have him get some of these:

Or THESE, honey. More stylish and they definitely fit over jeans, albeit skinny ones :)

Save your knees and your jeans all at one fell swoop!

Beat Boxing with Anya

When Jordan does this, she generally is laughing the whole time--of course, not the time I'm filming :) But it's cute nonetheless.

What's Happening with...the Adults

Yes, Jordan and I are "the adults." Sometimes, at least. But since I seem to mainly post about my kids (Claire...Anya is still too little to make too many waves...it's not that she's the second...ah! I'm one of those mom's!!!) thought I'd post about what Jordan and I are doing!


First, Jordan. BIG NEWS. FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY, after waiting 2+ years, he is, as of this morning, on DAY SHIFT!! Yay! Goodbye to graves! I'm so excited that on his days off, I'll see him all day, instead of him sleeping all day to "keep his schedule." We're going to have so much fun, and hopefully Jordan won't get sick as much with a good consistent sleep schedule :)


Second, Jordan is also gearing up to begin school FULL-TIME next year. Yep. He is going to study Computer Engineering at the U. Right now, he's studying for some clep tests to be able to test out of some classes, like Calculus. Yuck. I'm glad I'm not the one in school!


Jordan has also gained 5 lbs. (since he went to the doctor last). Momentous. :)


Now onto me. No BIG NEWS like for Jordan, but I'll try to think of something interesting... Let's see. I am adjusting to having 2 KIDS. It is TOUGH! But at least now that Jordan's on days, I won't have to put Claire to bed with Anya in-my-arms-or-she'll-scream-the-whole-time and I can do the necessary bedtime "snuggles."


My house has been cleaner than EVER. Seriously. But with the two kids, you have to stay on top of things even more, and I think I've done that to the extreme in order to keep my sanity. SOMETHING has to be in order, right?


My goal has been to lose the baby weight MUCH faster this time. Last time It took me like 10 months to get it all off. So far, I've lost 31 lbs. 19 to go. Yes, I know that means I gained 50 LBS. Pathetic!! Oh well!! Losing it has been good, until Thanksgiving rolled around. I think I'm going to take a hiatis until January...let's be honest...who wants to diet during the holidays? Not I, said the lover-of-food. But I'm totally motivated for a January restart by the fact that I have nothing to wear.


Still teaching Gospel Doctrine. Love it. I hope I keep this calling for even more years. It's the best. One day I'll start "Soap Box Sunday" again. Too many demands!


Just finished Mockingjay (it took me SO LONG it was 2 weeks overdue at the library) and WHAT A DISSAPPOINTMENT. The whole book I was either bored or a little grossed out or depressed about the gory details. Happy about who Katniss ends up with at the end, but it was like one page long.... pathetic. If/when they do the movie, they really need to manipulate this last book a little--spend a little more time on the romance, a little less on the gory details of the war, and definitely less time on Katniss' pathetic and weak thoughts. OK, I could go on forever. It sucked.


OK, well that's what's going on! Now the next 5 posts will be about the kids again :)

Happy Halloweeeeeen!!!

This Halloween was pretty fun, because now, Claire knows the meaning of C-A-N-D-Y. And she dressed up like a COW, and definitely knows the meaning of that!

But first, I must showcase Jordan's exceptional pumpkin-carving skills :)



And, as I said, Claire was a cow. Her cousin, Lauren was a cow last year, so we just carried on the tradition (well, tradition of FREE costume too!). I also figured it would be maybe the only year that my daughter would be excited about dressing as a cow. Next year I bet it will be a fairy or a princess or something frilly like that.

Here she is getting her "makeup" on! Auntie Katie (aka, "Sexy Vampire") was the artist :)

And here she is, all ready to go!!



And here we are trick or treating together! (Let's be honest, it was cold and rainy. We went to a handful of houses...)



Then, we went back to Grandma and Grandpa Taylor's house and Claire did what she does best: maul "baby sister."



By the way, isn't she cute? (yeah, she survived the mauling)



Poor Anya... she was really gassy that night...so Grandma Taylor had me make a pact with her to cut out soda and chocolate (my pediatrician said chocolate is a culprit? Who knows...) out of my diet, and she would do the same. The soda is really hard for her and the chocolate (surprise surprise) is really hard for ME!! Since that day, 3 days ago, I have lost 2 more pounds. LOL.

Started my diet again (took a short hiatis for Halloween)...need to fit back into my wardrobe or I'll be in PJ's all winter long! AH!

Anyway, was a fun Halloween!!

Once there was a Snowman!

It snowed the other morning. And like a good Daddy Jordan is, he took Claire out, bundled up in snow gear (thanks Annie!) and played in the powdery white. Claire thoroughly enjoyed herself of course :) But so did Daddy :) He made a GIANT snowman, and when I remarked how big it was, he said "You know it would've been bigger if I had more snow..." What a freak. All of the snow in our yard, front, back, and side, was used though!

And, yes, once there WAS a snowman, because by midday, it was gone!

Happy Fathers, Birth, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, 4th of July etc.etc. Day to Jordan :)

Because, Jordan got a new camera :) A way expensive one, of course (hence the reason it provides a gift for him for all of the holidays combined until the end of his life, haha! jk honey :) but a really good one.



The Canon 50D. Then he had to get lenses. Yeah, those are pricey!!

But you shall see the fruits of his expenditures (I mean, "labors") very soon when we post pictures he has taken at the cabin next week :) He is definitely teaching himself a LOT about photography and has gotten really good! And I have vowed to get better at Photoshop so I can help him polish the pictures he takes.

He has been so funny with this camera, like a kid in a candy store. Sure love you honey. You are so talented, and I'm so glad you put those talents and abilities to use!! You dabble in SOOOOOO many things, but I wouldn't have it any other way!! (Except for the time you dabbled in World of Warcraft...could've done w/out that, haha)

I mean, really, these things can be so technical I want to shoot myself when he talks about all the zooming and autofocusing and millimeters, so I'm just happy he's the one doing the research and working the camera! (but he wants to shoot himself when I talk about the latest celebrity scandal, so...)

ps. Sorry that on Father's Day I didn't do breakfast in bed or (apparently) wish you Happy Father's Day or do really "anything" for you...does this post make up for it?? I love you, OK?

Family Pictures!

October 8th - Our Anniversary

Today is our 4 year wedding anniversary!

We totally didn't do anything :)

...Wait, I got Jordan a big bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Yesterday, though, we went to Park City to the outlets and bought a few things, so that was kind of our time together... (and tomorrow I'm making him waffles since he had to work tonight...and Better Than Sex Cake on Sunday, since it's his favorite)

Speaking of time, we definitely have a very short amount of time together lately. Jordan is still working graves at ICU Medical and going to school full-time. I have to say, I'm REALLY proud of him. He is working SO hard and doing really well! So far, he has completed 1/3 of the 13 month program in less than 2 months. Yeah. He's crazy. Very motivated and dedicated! And he is totally acing it too! Every time I turn around, he's gotten 100% on another test. AND he's now decided what he wants to do for school, and if everything goes as planned he will be done in less than 3 years.

Anyway I just want to let Jordan know how much I love him and appreciate all that he does for me and for Claire. He is the most wonderful father to her, and is also someone I can totally depend on and trust. I feel really blessed to be married to someone I know always loves me unconditionally and wants what is best for me and our family.

Thank you for everything honey!! ...I think you're hot. And....I love you. :)

Time for an Update

Ok, all I post about is Claire. Well, she is the love of my life (next to you, of course, honey!), and I have to document every milestone and every giggle she makes, right? It's making up for the fact that every time I've asked my Mom about my childhood (I am the 5th of 7 children, so you can see where this is going) she only remembers like 2 things: "You loved to hide under blankets." And "You were shy and a peacemaker." That's IT!!! My baby girl is going to know...well...everything!

Update on Janessa:
I have been working for iBAHN, a company that provides Internet and conferencing solutions to hotels across the globe. I have been there for about 3.5 years. It's a good company--well, they all have their ups and downs I guess--but it was time to say ADIOS. Really. Time. So, Friday, the 31st of July was my last day. At least, my last official day.

Last week, I was hired on as a contractor. So, basically, I still work for iBAHN, at home, on my own schedule, hourly. It's PERFECT. I don't have to worry about company politics, I can make my own hours, and work while Claire is napping! Best of both worlds. Opening a new savings account for taxes :)

I SO love being a Mom WAY more than a career in marketing, seriously. It is SO MUCH BETTER. It is what I'm meant to do. It is the best.

Update on Jordan:
Meanwhile, Jordan is finally starting a one year (or however long it will take him) program at school that will certify him in some Electrical Engineering type thing (I can't even tell you what it is, honestly...nerd stuff...) and give him a year of college credit. Two birds with one stone. It'll also help him make more money at his job, potentially! He is still at ICU Medical, working on automation machines that produce medical supplies.

And, ok, I'm going to praise my honey just a little here: He talked to his boss the other day, and asked him for a raise. His boss said he would submit for it and also gave him a promotion! He is now on a task force that will determine the process (ok, I have NO vocabulary) for the new Toyota brand machines that are coming in. Then his boss said, "You know, some of the engineer techs (that's Jordan's job) come in here running their mouths about how great they are. You don't have to. I know you come to work, you do an excellent job, and your dedication and work ethic do not go unnoticed." Anyway, thought that was pretty cool. Jordan is a really hard worker, and I'm really proud of him :)

That's about it for now! Was this boring? Well, if it was too boring, you've stopped reading by now, lol. :) More about Claire in the next post----of course!

Ps. A post without a picture isn't that...well, I just don't like doing it. So, this is a lame picture we took of ourselves in the doctor's office for Claire's 6 month checkup--with Jordan's camera phone. Anyway, that's why it's kinda grainy and lame, but it was the only one I could find!

Look Alike

Ok, I think Claire might be a good mix, judging by these baby pictures...

The "Janessa" Smile

The "Janessa Grin"

The "Jordan Grin"

The Jordan "wide-eyed" look:

The Jordan "excited" look: (mouth makes the same shape...crazy)

The Stand-Up

Ok, so here's a fun thing that Jordan likes to do with Claire (and now I do with her too). He gets her to sit and then stand (with help for balance) and she's pretty good at it!

It's so cute because once you say 1......2.........3........she KNOWS what's coming and already starts flexing her stomach muscles to sit up and then stand up. So, in this video, that is not very apparent...she was kinda slacking, but she makes up for that in the fact that she's being SO silly and "talkative."

These are just the best and most fun moments we have with Claire so far!

Couldn't resist...

My honey and my baby. This is when I'm getting ready for work in the morning, and Jordan is still not wanting to wake up (on his day off) and Claire is already awake....

Make-Shift Bouncy Swing

Anyone who knows us knows that my husband is the ULTIMATE Jack of All Trades. I've never met anyone like him...EVER. It's pretty crazy how many things he can do...from knitting to electrical wiring to...well...making baby toys, like this!

Yep, that was how he kept Claire entertained while Mommy napped and he worked on his garage-organization project :) Of course, he says that this is "only temporary" and that he will be making her a new "perfect" one later.... hey, I thought this one was good enough! Jordan is a perfectionist to be sure!

And another thing that is SURE is that he LOVES his little girl... and I'm pretty sure she loves him back :)

Don't call me by my real name...please....

Am I crazy?

So, recently, Jordan has decided to call me by.........my......REAL NAME! Definitely not ALL THE TIME, but sometimes, and I hate it!!! He's not allowed to call me Janessa or I just know he is mad at me!!!

So I made up some rules...

Honey, you can only call me by my real name in the following circumstances:

1. If we're in a crowded area and there are lots of husbands and wives around, and ONLY after you have at least called after me with "Honey!" once. I can recognize your voice you know...

2. If you are referring to me in conversation with a third party.

Ummm...there would be more rules, but there aren't any other instances in which he is allowed to call me anything but a pet name. Period.

Hot Date

Last night, Jordan and I left Claire with one of her favorite aunties, Jessica, to go out on the town. We finally used the PF Chang's gift certificate, compliments of Mainha & Painho for our anniversary last year, (yes, we're finally using it!) and had a great dinner! PF Chang's is my favorite restaurant, and the locale of Jordan's and my first date!

I still remember that fateful day... when Jordan and I went out for the first time. I had JUST broken up with my boyfriend like 3 days earlier, who I worked with, and nobody really knew we'd broken up yet. THEN, I went out with Jordan, who ALSO worked at the engineering firm my ex and I worked at (yes, it's a workplace love triangle here) to PF Chang's in Summerlin...WHERE we ended up sitting RIGHT ACROSS from Jordan's boss!! Crazy. It was so embarrassing... we did kinda want to keep our relationship a little under wraps, since I'd just dated one of the engineers, and I kinda also didn't want to be known as the "work dater," you know? What can I say...they all wanted to go out with me :) :) :)

Anyway, back to the present. It was a fun date. We topped it off by....you guessed it....picking up a few things at Walmart. Yes, a very sexy ending to our great night :)

Nap Time for my Honeys

While I got ready for work the other day, I came in the bedroom to find this:

It's a little fuzzy bc it was fairly dark and it's not like I could use the flash! a little later I took this one too:

So, after I nurse Claire in the morning and Jordan gets home, usually I won't put her back in her crib...I'll just put her in the bed with Jordan to take a little nap, since it's typically pretty short. BUT, just a little important addition here: last night, Claire slept for 5 HOURS STRAIGHT from 9pm to 2am and then again from 3am to 7:30am! I even had to wake her UP at 7:30 so I could go to work! Crazy. Not sure this will last, but hey, it was great for last night!

Hangin' Out at Aunt Shaunie's!

Becca has been in town this week. It has been so great! We're going to be able to hang out more tomorrow (craft day--stay tuned for the post!) and Saturday for Lauren's 1st birthday! On Wednesday, we went to Shaunie and Bart's house and hung out with Shaunie, Lauren, Becca, Kaylin, and Zachary. They are all such CUTIES!!! I put Claire in lavender and white for Shaunie--lavender is her favorite color. She loved it...

Shaunie with Kaylin and Claire

Kaylin and Zachary were so cute. Kaylin was so polite...she would ask Shaunie, "may I have some carrots please?" Shaunie would melt, of course... then Becca would tell Kaylin that she needed to stop eating them (she had like two little baggies of them) or her "poop would turn orange." Reminds me of "you'll shoot your EYE OUT!" from Becca's FAVORITE movie, the "Christmas Story." :) haha.

My honey with my honey. :)

It was really cool to see how Claire would get fussy when held by someone else at times, and then when Jordan would scoop her up, she'd calm right down...so cute! My grandma would also tell me how she kept her eye on her mommy the whole time... It's cool to see how she is really starting to bond and recognize and trust Jordan and me...

Jordan with Heather's cute little Lauren

Lauren was really cute with Claire. She'd stare at her and then grab her hand...Heather told me later, "well, at least she doesn't grab at her eyes or something!" Very funny. Lauren is a cutie.

So I need to say, also, that I used to think that babies with the headbands with the HUGE bigger-than-their-head bows and flowers...weren't that great, but NOW I LOVE THEM!!! That lavendar flower looked so freaking cute, I was dying... anyway...