I DID IT!! I FREAKING DID IT!!!

Well, obviously I am alive, so I made it. I didn't chiken out. I jumped out of a freaking plane and it was amazing. There are no words to describe how fun/scary/best thing I've ever done. Here's how it went...

We arrived at the Jean airport at about 9:30 this morning. My stomach was literally in knots and my hands were all clammy and cold. I was trying to act tough, but I was seriously contemplating not doing it. We went into the office and signed our lives away, literally, and watched the insruction video. It was informative and just made me more scared. After that we got suited up and harnessed.






Then I took what I thought might have been some final pictures with my family.






We then headed out to the plane. By this time I'm thinking that this is the dumbest thing I've ever done, but I am obviously not going to chicken out. The guy who jumped with my was so great about reassuring me. He did goof around a little, too, and teased me about the chute not working. Anywho, the little ride up seemed to take forever!! Mind you, I am not a fan of heights and petrified of flying. Fabulous activity to engage in, right? After what seemed like an hour, I was suddenly being hooked to my jumper and given some last minute insructions. The doors opened and the first few people were gone. Then we slid down our little bench and kneeled at the door. At that moment I promised myself that I was not going to freak the whole way, but that I was going to love every second. He leaned out and we were flying. It was the most amazing sensation in the world. I loved it. I screamed, but because I loved it. All too soon, the free fall was over and he pulled the chute. I immediately yelled to him about being glad that I did it. We had a fun little ride down which he filled with little twists and what not. The ground got closer and closer. I was a little worried about the landing. I just stuck my legs out and slid in like they said.






My family and friends were there to greet me. It was so fun to land to their cheering.





All in all it was an amazing trip. I am sooo glad I did it. I think everyone should do it at least once in their life. So worth it. Thanks again to Jason for not only paying for this but for humoring me and coming to watch even though it made you so nervous. I love you babe. Thats all for now. I will see if I can post the video of the entire dive that I purchased in case anyone has interest in that. Later.

So Scared!!

Tomorrow I am going skydiving. I know, who does that? Well early last month, my best friend Eliza went with some family friends of hers and said it was the most amazing thing she had ever done. She said she wanted to do it again and asked if I wanted to. Thinking it probably wouldn't happen very soon I said sure. Well, she decided she wanted to go as a group for her birthday that was this monthe. So, within 2 weeks of her dive I put down a deposit for mine. Tomorrow is the big day and to be frank, I am scared you-know-what less, but also excited. I will include pictures with my update tomorrow. If I don't make it, it's been a pleasure knowing all of you.

I know it's late, but Happy Easter

I know, I know. I am a failure. I just wanted to do a quick post about Easter and Spring Break. Jason was able to take off 31/2 days last week. It was bliss. No work, no school. Just us. And Katelyn. On Wednesday we went to St. George to visit one of Jason's mission buddies, Elder Monroe. He and his wife live in Bloomington just outside of St. George. We just went up for the day to have dinner and hang out with them. We arrived in there at about 2:30 and they didn't get out of work until 5. No problem, we thought, we will just kill time until then. I don't know if you've ever tried to kill time in St. George, but it's no easy feat. I should have known that, I lived there for 7 years. Anywho, we went to Old Navy for like 10 minutes. Then we thought we would hit Red Cliffs Mall. That was hilarious. There are like 9 stores and an Orange Julius. Hasn't changed a bit since I lived there. After that we just went to a park and hung out until we met Scott and Eryn at their house. We ate at Texas Roadhouse. It was delicious and I loved every bite of it. After that we hung at their house for a while. That was fun, guys!! It was so good to see you. We need to do it again.

We didn't do much else the rest of the week. Kate had to go back to the doctor because she had what we thought was a reaction to her vaccinations, but it was nothing. She has a fabulous immune system, apparently.

On Easter, we got up and showed Kate her basket. She was in heart with it. I told her that the Easter Bunny and I talked earlier and decided not to hide eggs this year. The bunny was concerned that maybe Kate didn't give enough of a crap, if you will, to go find them. Maybe next year. Anyway, she played for a bit. Here is her basket and her enjoying said basket.

Soon after all this goodness, I had to go to a meeting. I left Jason her Easter dress and accessories and hoped for the best. I packed hair bows in the diaper bag just in case I had to do some last minute hair surgery. He met me at church and this is the goodness I saw.

She is freaking cute, I know. She was so excited when she got to church because my parents were there for a friends mission farwell. She loves my dad probably more than anyone else. She had fun with him throughout the meeting. After church we went to my parents house for my dads famous tacos. They were fabulous as usual. We then stopped by Jasons parents house so they could love on her and give her another basket. She definitely got spoiled. It was a good day. Oh, and the Easter Bunny didn't forget me.

Unfortunately, he did forget Jason. That Easter Bunny can be an inconsiderate jerk sometimes. I love you Jason. Maybe next year the bunny will remember.

Katelyn

I have been thinking lately that this blog doesn't have enough about Kate on here or many pictures. Here's the sitch on Katelyn Sue. She had a well baby check up yesterday and she weighs 31lbs and is 33 inches long. She is a brick house, if you will. The doctor is very concerned and told me to not give her any "crap" and to limit her liquid calories. Hey thanks, doc, why didn't I think of that. I started crying after the appointment feeling like a crappy mom, but Jason assured me that it's going to be okay. She then got 5 shots and was not very appreciative of it. Her leg is still swollen and sad. On a positive note, the doctor is really impressed with her development and language. She asked us if she knows 5-10 words and I was proud to say that she knows at least 30 and is making simple sentences.

As I have been watching her the past few days, I am amazed by how much she is like her dad. Not just in looks, although that girl is the spitting image of her father. They have so many of the same quirks and personality traits. For example, that girl HATES clothing and frilly hair bows. It saddens me. Everyday I pick out cute little outfits and put her hair in pigtails, but within minutes it is all off. She usually leaves her shirt on but sometimes just prefers her diaper. Recently, its been diaper and crocs. The pictures below illustrate most of this point.

Another Jason trait she has is the way she sleeps. Now, I don't know about when he was a baby, but Jason has a certain way that he sleeps every single night. On his right side with his arm behind his head. Kate does not sleep in that particular position, but she has to be the same way every night. Instead of utilizing all the space that her crib affords, she sleeps horizontally (sp?) and curls herself into a ball but on her stomach. She, like Jason, likes no covers and as little clothing as she can. When I sleep it is several different positions and I have to have many covers. Here is Kate sleeping how Kate sleeps.

Mostly, though, she reminds me of Jason simply by being so cute and fun. Everyday, she can find joy out of the simplest little things. She loves to jump and bounce and just have fun. I love her to death!!

On a side note: Nursery is going a teeny tiny bit better. She still cries most of the time, but the leaders say it is mostly because the other kids cry and set her off again. Hopefully, it will get easier and she will continue to adjust. Thanks for all your advice, guys.

Just another quick note. Many people have been asking me about how Todd and Karalee's little boy Elijah is doing. They have set up a blog with daily updates and pictures. The procedures and the diagnosis are explained in depth on there, so check it out if you want. http://www.thegarberfam.blogspot.com/. Please remember that handsome little devil and his parents in your prayers. Thats all for now.

HELP!!

Quick question to all you mommies of toddlers. How long did it take your kids to get used to nursery? My daughter has been in for 1 month and every sunday she has cried the entire 2 hours. Once they even asked me to take her. Now, Jason and I both teach during the 3rd hour and we can't be doing that. Any thoughts, suggestions, or anything? I feel bad for the leaders, but I also feel like those two hours are my time. Am I wrong?

Tagtosterone Part II

Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the Internet.

Seana tagged me.

Again.

Yay.

This time, it's 5 things.

So let's get the prerequisite crap out of the way:

DISCLAIMER: If tagged you here's what you do. Post the words in all caps below and fill in info about yourself. Then, at the end you tell who you are tagging & go and tag 5 friends on their blogs. It's just a way to get to know fun little things about people.

TEN YEARS AGO - From today? I was 15 and probably playing the NINTENDO 64~!!!! that I got that December past.

FIVE PLACES THAT I HAVE VISITED - Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Alaska, Canada

FIVE THINGS ON MY TO DO LIST - Hang out with my family, write a 2-part report for my ECON 103 class, not fail my Poli Sci class this semester (I need it to graduate), go golfing and play Call of Duty 4 on the XBox 360.

I ENJOY - My wife, my baby, professional wrestling, golfing and playing the 360.

THREE BAD HABITS - "I work too hard. I care too much. And sometimes I can be too invested in my job."

FIVE THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME -
1. I was in a punk band in High School. Seriously. I was the lead singer and can also play the guitar a little bit.
2. I was voted senior class vice-president my final year in High School. I ran as a joke and ended up winning the deal.
3. I was the 2nd VP ever impeached in the history of Las Vegas High School. Apparently, I didn't show the desired amount of school spirit, nor did I care about the senior class' float in the Homecoming Parade, so I got the axe.
4. Most of my "won't eats" come from a food texture hyper-sensitivty I have... I cannot eat a food with a mushy texture, like oatmeal, mashed potatoes, etc... It's weird, I know, but that's how I am.
5. I have saved 2 lives, both times while on my mission, both times choking toddlers, both times I used the infant Heimlich maneuver, and both times I was successful. Those didn't get me any baptisms, though...

FIVE JOBS THAT I HAVE HAD
1. Construction work with my Grandpa (remodeling LDS chapels around town for $2 an hour.)
2. Delivery driver for Little Caesars (yes, they used to offer delivery)
3. Remittance Processor for Bank of America
4. Escrow Opener at Nevada Title Company
5. Legal Project Assistant at Peel Brimley

I tag no one.

Good-bye.

Another Tag... Thanks, Nat.

If tagged you here's what you do. Post the words in all caps below and fill in info about yourself. Then, at the end you tell who you are tagging & go and tag 5 friends on their blogs. It's just a way to get to know fun little things about people.

TEN YEARS AGO.......I was 16 and probably watching the new Backstreet Boys video on TRL. Seriously, I was a loser.

FIVE PLACES THAT I HAVE VISITED........California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland

FIVE THINGS ON MY TO DO LIST........Clean my room, finish Kate's laundry, do the dishes, catch up on sleep, cuddle with my hubby.

I ENJOY..........Reading, taking bubble baths(seriously, like, daily), going to the movies, hanging out with my hubby, playing with my baby girl, Edward Cullen.

THREE BAD HABITS........Procrastination, eating crap, laziness. Wow, I'm a winner.

FIVE THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME.........
1. I was born with thick jet black hair. I got meningitis and my fevers got so high that my hair fell out in one day. Literally. And when it did grow back it was red.
2. I double and triple check the locks at night. I drive myself and Jason crazy, but you can never be too careful, right?
3. I freaking hate folding and putting away laundry. I fold it, but then it just ends up being piles of clean clothes that eventually mixes with the dirty. It irritates me, but I won't change.
4. Most of you already know this, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sushi. It is so good. Any kind. I would eat it everyday if I could.
5. I have a girl crush on Amanda Bynes. She is so funny. I love that she can laugh at herself while making others laugh. Her show "What I Like About You" is my favorite thing ever. I watch the reruns all the time. She and Vince are so fun.

FIVE JOBS THAT I HAVE HAD.............
1. D.I. before my mission.
2. A missionary. Thats work.
3. D.I. after my mission. I know, I am not too quick.
4. Receptionist at a dental office.
5. Oh, I forgot I worked for Nate Bell for a minute, but who didn't?

There. I don't really know why anyone would give a crap, but there anyway. I tag Jason and Jenn Mize.

Hubby Tag

What is your husbands name? Jason, Jay, Jayvaz, or Baby.
How long have you been together? We have been married for 2.5 years, but have been toether for 3 years.
Who said I love you first? He did because I refused to be the one that said it first.
Who is smarter? Jason. Totally. We both have our stengths, though.
Who does the housework? I have to admit that I suck at keeping the house neat, but what does get done is done by me. Almost all of the time. He does entertain our daughter so I can lots done, though.
Who sleeps on the right? Standing at the foot of the bed I am on the right. I have this issue about being the farthest from the door. It's dumb, I know, but if someone breaks in I don't want to get shot first. Just kidding. It just is what it is.
Who pays the bills? We actually share. He pays the car payment and other important bills online and i take care of the utilites.
Who cooks dinner? In our interesting living dynamic, my sister in law does most of the cooking. She is fabulous at it.
Who drives when you are together? Jason. Always Jason.
Who is more stubborn? I'll own it. It's totally me. He pretty much always gives me my way, though, so it doesn't manifest that often.
Who kissed who first? Not really sure. Kind of mutual. Although, and not to share too much, I didn't french kiss first. Sorry if that makes anyone uncomfortable. Maybe you make me uncomfortable.
Who asked out who first? He did. Valentines Day. We had our faces morphed together and made a baby. It was hot.
Who proposed? He did. What kind of loser asks the guy?
Who has more siblings? I do. I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers and he has 1 brother and 2 sisters.
Who wears the pants? Me. He likes to think he does.


I love my husband a whole lot. He takes good care of me and Katelyn. I appreciate everything my husband does for us and his cheerful manner as he does. He works fulltime and goes to school fulltime and never complains. He is amazing. I love you Jason. Thanks for putting up with all the garbage. You're the best.