The Tenth Month

We have hit the double-digits people! It's a thrilling time in our lives. Every day is so exciting with new hilarious-ness and happy-ness and fun-ness. Also some emotional-ness. Lots of ness-es. ;)

Hannalyn weighs 17 pounds and is a little more than 27 inches tall. I can see two little teeth getting ready to poke through but they aren't quite there yet. Her eyes are still deep blue with a fascinating dark stripe to make her 'key holes'. She babbles, hears soft & loud sounds, and scoots around on her bum. She plays well with others and by herself.

Hannalyn is a GREAT sleeper. She sleeps 12 hours at night and takes 2 or 3 naps during the day. Sometimes a short one in the morning, a 2 or 3 hr one in the afternoon, and then another short one in the evening. She is such an angel in this regard and I'm terrified for our next child - I'm sure he/she will not be a sleeper. Hannalyn also loves going on walks. So much.

She likes to eat everything - especially pianos & tables. Why? I'm not sure. She also loves bananas, beans, and carrots. Hannalyn smiles & laughs easily. She is very much a people person and loves to be held and get attention. Her favorite room is the bathroom because there is a mirror, a rubber ducky, and a tub to get wet in. She also loves books and dolls and banging books and dolls together. Hannalyn is also very close to pulling herself up to standing using couches, mommy's hair, end tables, mommy's shirt, and anything else she can get her hands on.

This baby is such a wonderful baby. She is so grown up and full of life and personality. She loves everyone and everything. Hannalyn makes everyone around her smile. I hope to be more like her when I grow up. I know I had more to say about her - her quirks and adorable-ness, but I can't remember now.

Love you, baby girl.
xoxoxo forever

a few of my favorite things

"When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad - I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad!!!" So true. So true.

On my list of favorite things right now:

Halloween decorations!!! Like this lovely Frankenstein thingy that I made. Yup. I made it. :) I decorated my living room and our entry way. That was as far as my decorations would stretch, but it's also the area most seen by anyone except me so that's ok.

 Also. THIS GIRL. There will be a wonderful & possibly lengthy post about her tomorrow (10 months what???), but until then, two things I want to remember always & forever.

First, yesterday I observed Hannalyn pushing herself up from laying down to sitting for the first time. However, she did it so casually and calmly and matter-of-fact-ly that I am suspicious that she has done it before when I didn't notice. Sneaky sneaky. But I applauded and cheered for her and got very excited and somewhat emotional.

Second, Hannalyn is hilarious. I wish I knew if she knows what she is doing sometimes because she cracks me up. The other day I was changing her diaper on the changing table and handed her a doll so that she would quit playing with her diaper. She took the doll by its arms, dangled it over the side of the changing table and shouted "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Then she let go of one arm and shouted "AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" And then she grabbed the doll's hair and shouted "AAAHHHH!!!!" All the while, the doll is dangling over the side of the table and I am cracking up.

Favorite things. Yes. Happy Monday.

TODAY

Today I feel reflective. I am thinking about what I've done and what I need to do. I'm thinking about things that have happened and what I want to happen. I'm thinking about how I feel and how I want to feel. I'm thinking about love and life and luck. About growth and chances and babies.

I'm thinking about God and how grateful I am to know that I am a Daughter of my Heavenly Father who loves me. I am excited to go to Women's Conference tomorrow to hear words directly from my Father to me. Will you join me?

Have a great weekend. :)

taking a walk

We like to walk. We go out on a walk every day if we can squeeze it in. Sometimes we don't get to go out and I really don't like that. I really love our walks. We don't go far - just a few blocks - but in the cooler(ish) weather and the refreshing breeze it makes it perfect. Hannalyn sits very quietly or sometimes will sing as we walk. She gets excited to see the animals around and the kids that we sometimes see. She looks up at me as I talk to her and describe the sights we see. She looks at me when I'm not talking to her because she knows I'm paying attention to something else. She hangs on tight to the sides of her stroller and when we go fast she says "Weeee" along with me.

I love our walks for the quality time we get to spend together but also for the thinking time that I get. It's so nice to literally just talk a walk - clear the brain - breathe the air. You know. Soul-reviving stuff. Sometimes I spill my guts out loud to Hannalyn about what I'm feeling and how I'm trying to figure out why things happen the way they do. I know she doesn't understand much, but she is a good listener. And it really helps me, too.

We make a good team, this little lady and I. We have fun and I love being with her. So right now we are going to go take a walk. Yup. Right now. How about joining us? :)

Ribbon Cutting

This happened a while ago...

We had a ribbon cutting at Cold Stone!!! It was a very happy time. We got a fancy certificate and everything. Aren't those scissors awesome?! They are ginormous... in a freaky but awesome way if you know what I mean. Hurrah for Cold Stone! And ribbons! And scissors! And ... !

Ok. I'm done now. Happy Monday. :)

my (second) missionary

This is my missionary. This was him back in March. Back when Hannalyn was wee babe back in March.

Today is his birthday. He is in New Jersey serving the Lord by teaching His children the truth of the restored gospel. He is amazing and working very hard. I am so proud of him and his dedication. He is a patient, kind, and loving brother. I love him and miss him very much.

Happy birthday, baby brother!!!
xoxoxo

Why I Teach Music

I teach piano & voice lessons from my home. I love teaching, the opportunities to interact with my students and increase my own talents from consistent practicing. It's so much fun and I enjoy it every single day. Lately, I have noticed that music teachers who teach from home are being down-graded because they are 'not professional'. So I wanted to put down my thoughts about that.

In my opinion, every child should have some experience with music. Hopefully in home, hopefully in school, often in church. However. In our changing world (or at least in Utah), the Arts have lost importance in school curriculum. More and more often, music is cut from schools both elementary and secondary. This is for many reasons that I don't want to get into. The point is that it is happening and in my opinion, it is wrong.

There have been studies done over and over and over again proving the benefit of music on people of all ages. There are studies down on how it helps little children to learn, how it encourages teens & students to develop better math skills, and it has recently been shown to help improve memory in elderly people with dementia. A M A Z I N G. I believe that there is music in Heaven and that God inspires men & women to create music that praise Him and spread a happy message. Music is something we use to celebrate. It is also something we use to comfort ourselves. Music is a global language that everyone can speak - even those with little or no training.

Unfortunately, we are losing exposure to many different celebrated and wonderful types of music. The music curriculum in our schools is seriously lacking where there are not teachers who are passionate about music. This means that any music experience happens in the home or at church. If not in the home, then only at church. Once a week is better than nothing, but I can do better than nothing.

I teach music lessons. I am passionate about music and the wonders that can happen when a person makes music. I love music and it has shaped my life and experiences in many ways. I want to share that love and passion with my students. I want them to gain self-confidence in their own talents. I want them to be brave, learn new languages, and develop their own passions. I want them to learn to reason and grow and question and understand others. All of this I hope to do when I'm teaching.

I have so much love to share with my students - love of life and love of music. I want this love to be accessible to anyone - not just those who have the money and not just though seeking to become professional. I do have a couple of those, but mostly the students I teach are students whose parents feel that music will enrich their life. So I make myself available to students for a low, reasonable rate - one that enables me to be able to help with paying bills and cover the cost of copying music or buying books when needed, but one that hopefully anyone could afford. I want children of all ages and situations to experience music and I don't want an arm and a leg for it. This does not mean that I am not a good teacher. I think that I am an excellent teacher. I have had years of training and received degrees and blah blah credentials. Important, but not necessary. Mostly the experience is the important part since because of this experience, I know the value of music in my life and want to share that with everyone.

I teach music because I want to share music. I teach music because I love music. I teach music because I hope that, through music, my students become better musicians and better people. I know that I improve every week seeing them and working to improve myself so I can assist them. I am grateful for my music teachers who taught me so much and led me down the music-loving path. I hope I make them all proud and can be like them some day in some way. But mostly, if I touch one person's life with music then I will be happy.

rinny the pooh

My sister Marinn is second to the left. She is awesome, beautiful, talented, funny, and smart. She cares deeply & passionately. She knows what she wants and she gets it. She is strong & powerful & a fantastic sister.

Marinn is 16 years old today.

If I could give one piece of advice to you, Rinny, it would be to stay close to what you've been taught. If you do that, your life will be blessed. You will be protected and make good decisions and get all the best in your life.

Happy Birthday, girly-girl.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Shelly.

Because I want to remember...

Some day Cold Stone will slow down.
Some day our thoughts won't be all-consumed by Cold Stone.

Some day we'll not talk about Cold Stone when we sit down to dinner or a movie.

Some day.

Until then, we are rejoicing in some good stats. For example:

Our store was ranked #12 in sales IN THE WORLD last week.
We made $5,000 more than any other store in our corporate rep's area last week.
We are making more in daily sales than stores on the Wasatch front do on the weekend.

Life is busy, but good. And we are having fun and trying to remember that this is what we want. Still waiting for 'normal' and more of a routine, but we will get there. :)

Thanks for your love & prayers.

Happy

photo by Larissa Pearson

I have so many reasons to be happy and so many things to be grateful for. I am 24 years old and have lived a marvelous life with multiple blessings and fantastic experiences. Over the last week, I have not done a good job of being thankful. I have let the stress of everyday living get me down and impact the way I interact with those I love the most. Today I have determined to do better, so I am making a list of 24 things that make me happy (in no particular order, of course).

-- Daniel Jackson. The most wonderful, loving, patient, supportive husband and fabulous father, too.

-- Hannalyn. This girl continues to change my life in more ways than I dreamed possible.

-- The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Eternal families, scriptures, living prophets.

-- My parents. Unending love and support.

-- My brothers. Amazing examples of faith and service.

-- My sisters. Best friends for life through thick and thin.

-- Music. Loud, soft, quick, slow - it speaks to my spirit.

-- Temples. More than just beautiful to look at, they are truly the House of God.

-- The color yellow. It's a happy color.

-- The ability to taste. Because I love good food.

-- Traditions. Anchors in a changing world.

-- Eve (wife of Adam - first woman on the earth). One of my role-models.

-- Napping with Hannalyn. Surprisingly more fun than napping alone. I love her snuggles!

-- Pictures. Of family, of friends, of memories.

-- Sunrises & Sunsets. Beginning and ending each day with beauty.

-- A perfectly sharpened pencil. Doesn't break and is my favorite writing tool.

-- Teaching. At home, at school, in church - one of my favorite things to do.

-- Cold Stone. It's open!!! :)

-- Technology. I love being connected.

-- Disney movies. So many memories of a great childhood.

-- Car rides. The chance to talk for hours never gets old.

-- Rain storms. Especially with thunder & lightning.

-- Good books. I love a good story.

-- Dancing. Something I need to do more.

Reading as a Family

Hannalyn pulls her hair sometimes... And really hard, too. To keep her from pulling her hair out, 

I've taken to gently rubbing her head when she nurses so she won't yank. It's adorable.

Last Christmas (2013), my grandparents challenged/encouraged all of their grandchildren to read the Book of Mormon before Christmas 2014. Daniel and I took them up on the challenge on January 1 right after we finished reading the New Testament together for the first time. We finished a couple of weeks ago and it was AMAZING. We have read the Book of Mormon together before, but this time with Hannalyn being with when we read, it was reading a totally different book. Having Hannalyn's spirit with us (even though she was sometimes asleep) opened my eyes to all sorts of new discoveries & insights. I appreciated many passages in new and different ways than ever before. We loved reading together quietly every morning and starting our day in such a special, spiritual way. I know it brought Daniel & I closer together as a couple, and the three of us closer as a family. The Spirit has gotten so much stronger in our home from taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

I love the Book of Mormon. I know that it is a book inspired by men of God who wrote for those of us who live on the earth today to guide us back to Jesus Christ. I know that by abiding by the words contained inside, we can be happier and live better lives. I am so grateful for the truths that I have learned by studying the Book of Mormon and the love that I feel from God when I read. I can't wait to read it again. :)

Primary

When Daniel's dad came to visit a couple of weeks ago, he asked us about our church callings. We talked about how Daniel has been the Ward Executive Secretary for a year now and I am the Ward Music Chair (I pick the songs in sacrament meeting). We have both been very satisfied with our callings and enjoyed the last several months. I guess that's why it was time for a change.

Daniel got a phone call last week asking him & me to go to a meeting with the Stake President. Daniel immediately started racking his brains of all the open callings in our ward (which he knows about because he is involved with the bishopric) and got stressed out. He really enjoys his calling and is really good at it and was stressed about making a big change in his life in the middle of opening Cold Stone. I was just thinking of ways I could be more supportive of him and help him through these challenges.

Imagine our surprise when we sat down with the second counselor in the stake presidency and he said, "We are so glad you could both come tonight. Brother Jackson, this calling is actually for your wife." And looked at me. Both of our jaws dropped. Totally unexpected. Daniel was immediately relieved, I could tell. I was just shocked. I was asked to be the Stake Primary Music Coordinator. Basically, I get to go to all the ward primary programs in the fall and do a training with the primary choristers on how to teach music. President Bassett assured me that I will be perfectly capable of doing this new calling as well as my current calling in the ward. So that's what we are going to do.

I received a text last night from the Stake Primary President asking me to pray about why I've been called to this position. I've thought a lot about it and I'm still not entirely sure. I don't have as much experience as many others do, though I do have a degree in education - part of which involved teaching music to children. I have worked with children a lot over the last 8 years of my life and I have very strong opinions on children & music & even primary. Mostly I just trust the God has a purpose for my life and right now, He wants me to help in Primary. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised because in my patriarchal blessing I'm told I'll be involved in Primary. I just thought it would be a few years from now.

Overall I'm excited. I love music. I love children. I think this will be a fun, new experience that I will enjoy.

But also... Any advice for me as I enter into this new world? I'm a little intimidated. :)

for my mom's birthday...

...my sister did these AWESOME pictures:

First, disregard crappy phone-taking pictures of pictures. Second, admire the cuteness & genius.

The first is us sisters spelling LOVE (in case you didn't get that). The second is all of the kids & grandkids (well, only one of the latter) making a big giant heart! We stole a picture of Elder Pearson who is on his mission in New Jersey, and one of Hannalyn's we got earlier because she didn't like be held in front of the brick wall. I'm not sure why, but there it is. I think it turned out great and is darling. My mom loved it, too.

The point of all this? ... there isn't one. :)

You're welcome. And happy thursday.

sister L

18 years later...  her face is still covered in chocolate ;) Happy 21st birthday little sister. I hope it's the best one yet. Remember who you are & have a fantastic year. I love you buckets & loads.

xoxoxoxo, your favorite older sister

Life These Days

I'm so glad we have these pictures... A different life is shown here & it is good to remember.

Well hello there blogging world. I'm sure it hasn't been as long as I think it has been since last I blogged, but it feels like it has been a very long time since I've sat down and written a little bit of what is going on in our lives. And with that long sentence, I'll take the plunge:

We are exhausted. We knew that when we opened a Cold Stone in Vernal our lives would change dramatically, but I don't think we fully realized exactly how much. Cold Stone is busy from open to close. There are no breaks. There is no stopping. Daniel, my parents, and I pull double-shifts at the store trying to help our employees stay energized and keep them from wearing out. I go first thing in the morning with Daniel (and Hannalyn of course) and make waffle bowls. I make about 40 in about 90 minutes and those sell in one hour. We cannot keep up with the ridiculous demand. We have made extra-special orders from Sysco (food supplier) and my parents even took a day trip to Salt Lake to grab more! What an average store sells on opening week we sold in 5 days. We were OUT.

Basically, Cold Stone consumes our thoughts, dreams, and we are constantly talking about it. The end.

...but not really. Because that really is all that is going on. We went from nothing to all-consuming Cold Stone. I'm trying really hard not to complain and just be grateful. This is what we want. Daniel got his first paycheck in a year on Friday. We will finally be paying our own rent again! Daniel is working like a horse, which is a super inadequate description of all the hard-work and time that he is putting in at the store. He has done an amazing job training his crew - they got a compliment from someone who called CORPORATE to say nice things about us. Corporate was confused because they didn't have our store number (where is Vernal?) and definitely didn't expect a compliment about us on opening week. We didn't expect a compliment...ever. I mean, we are making people happy with ice cream, but people that get happy eating ice cream don't call the VP of Cold Stone to compliment their store. (The employees get a nifty certificate telling them they are awesome.) (Isn't nifty such a nifty word?) (Good grief.)

This is also really hard. We need another day time employee to help out. In the meantime, I go to the store to help. Hannalyn is so patient with us - hanging out at the store all morning. Last week on Tuesday, I was helping at the cash register and I told someone to have a good weekend. She looked at me strangely and I didn't even realize why until she was almost out the door. We are exhausted.

We are also trying to be happy and patient and know that this insanity will pass and we will establish a routine. We are grateful and trying to get adequate rest during our breaks so that we can be most helpful and successful wherever we are.

We pray a lot.

And we thank you to YOU for praying for us. We feel those prayers lifting us up daily. Thank you.

Here's to another week! ...and this girl. Seriously. I cannot get enough of her. She has such personality.