FAREWELL!

Well my family & friends, this is a bittersweet day.  Now that I'm all caught up, it's time to write my very last blog post in 3.5 years.   402 posts later and I'm officially signing off.  I feel like I'm quitting a job that I enjoy, but know it's the best thing to do.  I know it'll take awhile to not "crave" blogging anymore, to not think, "oh, I can't wait to put this on my blog!", etc, but it's the best thing for me.  And I don't view it as quitting, but rather as moving forward.

So why am I doing this?

Many reasons!  Really, I don't know where to begin!  Basically, when the pros outweigh the cons, it's time to stop.  And sadly, that has become the situation...

First, even though blogging is a great outlet for me and way to document our lives, it's really become a chore.  I realized that I have a list of "things to blog about" that keeps getting longer & longer & longer.  It's become a job that I feel I can never catch up on and after I'd finish a post, instead of feeling accomplished like I once did, I feel like I just wasted my time.

The main reason for this feeling is because since I started blogging in 2009, my life has gotten way more busy (insert Peyton!) - which means more to blog about and less time to do it... and my time is more precious than ever now!  With another kid on the way, I see that my life will be getting even more busier and there will be even more to write about, with even less time.  The time I am using to blog, I would rather (and should) spend doing something else.  That's not to say that documenting our lives isn't important to me, it's just that I'd rather do it in a more time sufficient way now.

Which leads me to this: I've changed my blogging style over the years.  My posts' are long and I have tons of pictures.  And there's no other way I'd do it.  BUT, it takes a lot of time to do it "right" like that.  I've considered changing the amount I write and pictures I post, but I feel like if I can't do it "right", then I don't want to do it at all.

To add to the complication, I've hit the max amount of pictures I can post without being charged by blogger.com for more space.  Not cool.  :)

Then there's the whole privacy issue.  It never bothered me until about a year ago.  I actually enjoyed knowing that my audience is either 1) People I don't know or 2) People I do know, but I've invited them to my blog and want them to read it.  However, the "people I don't know" has begun to bother me... and strangely, so has the "people I do know."  HA HA.

I know my blog pops up in google searches (I have a post on Audrey Hepburn Quotes and Tripod Sitting that continue to get many visits every day) and quite frankly, I feel violated even thinking about anyone googling me that I don't want seeing my whole life online (think ex boyfriends!).  Plus, with Steve's new job, we're sure people are googling him and it's the same situation there.  Now I don't think my blog pops up under a simple google name search, but I'm sure it's linked to me on the world wide web somehow.  And I don't think my family or friends are judging my posts, but I hate the thought of it.

So really, I'm just confused on what's okay to blog about anymore!  I'd rather "blog" in a personal journal that only I (Steve & Peyton) see, with it geared towards our little family as opposed to a blind audience.  After all , that's why I began blogging to begin with!...

I've always known I would turn my blog into a book one day (yes, you can do that!).  The majority of my posts have been written with that thought in mind.  It will be so cool to have the last 3.5 years of ours lives thoroughly documented and printed.  I'd love to be able to do that for the next few years until our daughter is a toddler, but because of all of the above, it's simply not worth the stress when there's other ways to remember and document.

I've decided to use a personal journal as my outlet, blog, and to remember.  Something that I won't feel obligated to write in daily with tons of pictures.  Instead, it'll be something that I can write only the truly memorable, unforgettable moments in, keeping it short, sweet & to the point.  The thousands of pictures and memories that I will continue to have will fill in the blanks.

Each child has a belly book, calendar, a 1-5 years old baby book, and now a personal journal.  And I get to add this blog to their collection once it's been turned into a book.  Something I'm very satisfied with!

This may be a bit much of an explanation, but it feels good personally to write it out.  Parting ways with my dear blog is no easy task, my friend, and needs to be justified!  I will, however, continue to read all of your blogs.  That's something I enjoy a lot.  And lastly, for the reasons mentioned above, I'll be turning my blog private in a few weeks, until I can turn it into a book.  Then, I will probably (*tear) delete it.

Here are the two beauties that have taken place of this memorable blog:

Here's to new journeys!  Have a happy 2013!

Love,

Jenny 

Daddy the Gorilla.

Whenever I read this book with Peyton, it never fails -- when we reach this page, he points to the gorilla and says, "Hey mama!  It's daddy!" and he's completely serious!  He's super excited about it and is dead serious.  

It's been a few months since we've read it and today when he pulled it out, he did it again!  I've never made a joke about it being daddy, so I'm really at a loss as to why he thinks it's him!  Well, other than the obvious?  LOL.  ;)  

Peyton's Big Boy Room!

Here's pictures of Peyton's "new" big boy room! 

I never knew we'd have so many considerations when putting it together.  We didn't want to put his bed near a window for safety reasons (blinds).  So that left us with one spot, which ended up working out well.  Then, the big bulletin board was bought in mind of putting it above his bed, only to conclude that it's too heavy and heaven forbid it fall on him or he pulls it down (I can see him trying to take a picture off and disaster striking).  SO, everything ended up working out nicely, except for one thing -- I don't know what to hang above his bed now!!  I'm thinking of those wire picture displays or some light canvas'.  I have yet to find anything I like, so that's the only thing missing.  :)

Door view

Close up of bulletin board

Pinterest inspired idea to hold art supplies

Inside the closet.  Wish we had a playroom

to store all his toys!

Ginger has to be right where we are

at all times

Changing table that's now his big boy dresser

View from when you walk in

Reading corner - the red bin on the wall holds themed books -

right now there's Big Brother and Christmas books.  The bin

on the far left holds library books.

His monthly pictures from his first year of life.

The bed -- it's so comfy, we're jealous!

His desk and train sign. 

The two rascals

Catch Up.

There were a lot of events I didn't get the chance to blog about this last year.  So here's my 2012 catch up post!

~ About 3 weeks ago, we went to dinner with Steve's family to announce the gender of our baby.  Steve's brother Ryan and his girlfriend are also having a baby.  They're due May 12th, exactly one week from us!  Since we both found out what we're having within a few days of each other, we made the announcement together.  Verdict?  Us = GIRL, Ryan & Amber = BOY! ~

~ A few months ago I wanted to blog about how sweet and caring Peyton has been and how he's very concerned about hurting people's feelings.  If he wouldn't hug someone goodbye, all I had to say was, "you're gonna hurt their feelings!" and boom!  He'd run up to them and hug them.  If he wouldn't get in his car seat, same thing... you're gonna make me sad!  Then he'd climb in and say, "mama, happy?"  I started feeling guilty about this manipulation tactic, so I slowed it down a bit and now he's not so concerned.  :)  ~

~ I also meant to blog about my 31st birthday.  I had the most touching day.  I received roses and donuts in the morning, Peyton had a sleepover at grandma and grandpa Olson's, and we had a doctor's appointment that day.  On the way home, I was so overwhelmed by such good feelings.  I won't forget how I felt!  We'd just had a healthy check-up and I was receiving so many "happy birthday's" from friends and family and Steve had just gotten his Coaching job a few days prior.  We were in a good spot (and still am, but that was the first time it all came together) and my emotions got the best of me.  Later that night we met friends at Four Peaks for dinner.  It was a great day! ~

~ I started saying prayers with Peyton this summer.  After experiencing two consecutive miscarriages, I thought it'd be appropriate for Peyton to pray for a baby brother or sister.  We said the same prayer every night, "Dear God, Please give me a baby brother or baby sister, Amen."  Within a week or so, he surprised me and just started saying it all on his own!  (July 2012) ~

~ The last weekend in Sept, my dad, Peyton and I went up to Prescott to spend the weekend with Laurie. She had a clogging event in Sedona that Saturday that we wanted to go to.  We had a fun weekend in Sedona and lounging around.  Peyton and my dad really bonded well.  :) ~

~ In early Sept, Steve gave Peyton a haircut.  It was our first time doing it.  Peyton did great and it turned out surprisingly well!! ~

Pro to the long locks?  No ducktail!

Tomorrow is the last catch up post with pics of his big boy bedroom! 

Girly Girl.

I got a lot of girl stuff for Christmas from my mom and Steve's mom.  I literally started tearing up when I opened my first box of stuff from Joan on Christmas Eve.  I just can't believe 1) we're having another baby and 2) that it's a girl.

Just a sample of the fun things!

I hit up all the after Christmas sales and would you believe I bought one thing for myself and a ton of stuff for her?!  :)

I could either bore or excite you with pictures of all the clothes, but I think I'll keep it simple!  XOXO.

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years!

I can't believe it's the new year already!  I've come to a few conclusions regarding my blog and the new year, but before I get to that, I'd like to catch up...

Christmas Eve was spent doing last minute shopping and wrapping.  That evening (after desperately trying to make it to church, but failed), we went to Steve's parents house for our Christmas with them!

Joan had the house looking so festive and made a delicious lasagna dinner.  Afterwards, we all opened gifts.  Santa was surely good to us!

Christmas morning we all slept till about 9am (it was a late night before!) and when Peyton woke up, he was excited too see if Santa brought him his "Hiro" train, amongst other things.  After presents, Steve made blueberry pancakes.  We spent the morning/afternoon in our jammies and we all played with our new toys. 

Hiro!

Around 2:30 we pulled into my mom & Bob's house for Christmas with them, my sister Julie and my step-brothers.  We had a traditional Christmas dinner of ham, sweet potatoes, scalloped potatoes, rolls, and all the fixens!  After, we opened yet more presents and was yet again, spoiled by Santa.  :)  

Opening his LeapPad 2!  Hopefully
this will get him off our iPhones!

Dog sitting Dobie (or Toby, as Peyton calls her).

Peyton spent the day playing trains with Tata Bob and we all just relaxed, watched Elf, and ate more.  It was a wonderful Christmas!

New Years Eve was very low key this year.  For the first time, we had nothing going on.  We weren't invited to any parties or anyone's house.  I think everyone was doing the same as us... nothing!  And we were just fine with it.  As I tucked Peyton in, I felt very humbled knowing I was exactly where I wanted to be - at home with my son and husband and baby on the way.  Oh and dog, of course.  :)

Steve and I watched a movie called "New Years Eve" and tuned into the Dick Clark, or rather Ryan Seacrest, ball drop to ring in the new year, along with a nice smooch.  Every year I reflect on how many years I've kissed Steve at midnight.  I think this year was 11 or 12... I can't keep track anymore!

Anyway, we're excited for a great 2013 where we'll meet our baby girl and move forward in many ways, business and personally!