My favorite model

 I love figuring out my camera with this girly as the model.

I'm on my way...

to OVER accomplishing a new year's goal!  I have a goal to read one book per month.  In the last week I finished two books. Awesome! I definitely recommend both of these books. Next on my list is my camera's manual. Does that count? I need to figure it out. 
FYI- I start my photography class this Thursday! Yahoo

So Polite

Just now I was sitting by Jocelyn whistling in a pen cap. I wasn't really thinking about what I was doing, but apparently she noticed.  She looked up at me and said, "Don't momma.  Stop, please." I tried not to laugh and stopped doing it.  She said, "Thank you momma."

Wow. If I annoy my almost 2 year old. I don't know how Casey has made it all this time. hehe

Ramblings...

Tonight I went to bed at 11, which is a new record for me in at least the last 2 months.  Now it's close to midnight.  I finally got out of bed because I just couldn't get to sleep.  I can't stand just laying there while my mind thinks of all the other things I could be doing.  I started to think about Jocelyn and how blessed I feel to be her mommy.  I started to feel guilt for not keeping a better journal of my life and of her life.  This blog is basically the only journal I use besides about a monthly entry in this one. 

Some Jocelyn moments not to be forgotten:

• One morning in December I went into her room to wake her up for church.  I was all ready and was now getting her up to get her ready.  I picked her up out of bed while she was still pretty much asleep.  I laid her on her changing table.  She kept her eyes closed the whole time I changed her.  Then as I picked her up again she became quickly alert, looked at me and said, "Oh mommy. pretty. dress. Church day." 
• One night in december while chatting in mom and dad Egbert's piano room, Jocelyn turned to leave the room and said, "Me-a (Meeka) treat. One minute." She held up her one finger to signal one minute then ran off.  She returned with and gave their dog one single dog food. Then said again, "Me-a treat. One minute." Again she signaled one minute, ran off, returned with a single dog food, and gave it to Meeka.  
• About a month ago this is how she counted, "1,2,6,9,10".  Then it was "1,2,3,4,5,9,10". She always points her little finger like she is counting something and takes a quick breath between each number. 
• Yesterday I wasn't in a good mood. No real reason why.  You know those days where you just don't feel very happy? It was one of those. I was sitting on the couch and Jocelyn came over to me and said, "Don't be sad, Mommy." Then she got me her bean (which is actually a burp cloth that she is very attached to.) She said, "Here bean." Then got her blanket and said, "Here frog blan-et." Next came her sippy, "Here sippy." Then it was back to, "Don't be sad Mommy." "Kiss better?" She kissed me. Then she patted me and sang, "Bilo baby, bilo baby." (Which is a song I sing to her at bedtime).  Apparently these are all things that make her feel better, and it worked for me too. :)

I'm going back to bed now.  Hopefully I can sleep now that I got some things off my mind.  Wish me luck that I actually get up and exercise like I have been planning to do...

Favorite Blog

It's called Knock-Off Wood.  Seriously, it is my new FAVORITE blog! And that is saying something when I have looked at hundreds of blogs and subscribe to over a hundred.  (A bit of an addiction, I know)

Make sure you take some time to look over Ana's creations! She is so amazing.  She can design anything and she builds it herself.  None of this, "I'll get my hubby to make it..." like me.  She actually designs and builds it herself. It is all Pottery Barn style too! Plus, she gives you the plans so you can build it yourself.

Still not convinced that it is an amazing blog?

These are a couple of my favorite plans...

And this is her adorable girl with the kitchen mommy made her.

Jocelyn will hopefully be getting one next Christmas- made by dad.

See ya in 2 Sammy

Today Sam, Casey's youngest brother, left for his mission.  We dropped him off at the MTC and said our goodbyes.  I couldn't help but be more excited for him than sad about him going.  He gets to teach the gospel to the people of Argentina.  How amazing is that?! He gets to have his life for 2 years completely focused on the gospel.  He will learn so much during this time in his life.  I have seen the difference that serving a mission can make in a person's life.  I can't wait to hear all about his experiences.

That being said, he will definitely be missed for these next 2 years. We love you SAM!

This little girlie is going to miss him like crazy! She LOVES Sam.

2009 REVIEW part 1

JANUARY 2009

We went to Moab with the Egbert's and had a great time hiking in the cold, and having a pillow fight. I started school again at UVU three days a week so I could finish my early childhood degree. Casey started yet another semester at BYU. Later in the month we got to visit Kyle and Frannie in Houston. Jocelyn started blowing kisses and got her first tooth.

FEBRUARY 2009

I went with my family to the Draper temple open house. We celebrated Valentine's Day together by going to Color Me Mine. Jocelyn started to crawl.

MARCH 2009

Jocelyn turned 1 year old and I turned 22 on March 19th. We celebrate our birthday with just our little family. The next day we had a big family party with both sides of our family.

APRIL 2009
We celebrated my mom and dad's birthdays where my dad once again succeeded in blowing out both my mom's cake and his own. We dyed Easter eggs with the Cowley side of the family. Jessie came home from her mission and we had a girls night. I graduated with my degree in Early Childhood Education!

(Alot has happened since this picture. Juli is due to have a baby in June, Sarah had a baby boy in October, and Jessie married Casey's brother Ryan so she is now my sister-in-law!)

MAY 2009

Jocelyn got to spend some good quality time with her Mimi (my mom) while we partied on our Caribbean Cruise! Jocelyn took her first steps.

JUNE 2009

I took Jocelyn swimming for the first time that year. We went to Arizona to check out a dental school and visit Casey's uncle Chris, which taught us that a 10 hour road trip is possible to do with a one year old. While in Arizona we went on a hike in the "desert", to our first pro-baseball game (The Diamondbacks), and Jocelyn's first concert (Lifehouse). Jocelyn became a great little walker.

Check out this babe

Christmas 2009

Casey surprised me with this. (And secretly got both parents to go in on it. Thanks!) I am in love to say the least. I can't wait to take it off auto and really see what this baby can do.

This was Jocelyn's main present this year. After not sewing for 5 years, I don't know what made me think I could sew a doll. However, after many hours on Moma E's sewing machine this is the result. Jocelyn is still more attached to her dollar store doll but I think this one will be more treasured in the long run... I hope. I got this pattern online here.

Casey's gifts were very low key. He told me not to get him anything since he got an itouch for his birthday in November. He got some new shoes, dvd's, season one of the office, and some gift cards.

We loved all of the time we got to spend with family. This year was an "Egbert year" so we spent a few days up at the cabin. It is magical at Christmastime. We had a blast!

Christmas morning with our loot.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Let's see if I can get this bloggity thing going again, shall we?!
A post a day should keep the guilt away (or once a week should work too).
And going private should keep the creeps away.
Going private- tomorrow!

Here's to a bright outlook on this new year
2010