HACKED!

what the heck happened to our blog?  is someone playing a joke on me or did i accidentally make it look like this!?

i better get it back to my crisp, clean white background asap.

(Every Other) Weekend Happenings.

Every 10-12 days Jason comes to New York to see us.   I don't know who's happier about it, me or the babies?

Bedtimes.

 

This family picture tells it all.  Even with M&M bribes (look closely below) couldn't keep Stella seated next to us. 

Georgia...Georgia...(think Ray Charles)

Jason is training in Georgia.  We are in Westchester, living with my family.  My entire family.

Jason came to visit and for the 24 hours he was here, the babies were in heaven.

Jason edited my last blog post...

Or in other words, he isn't sure what I can blog about his new position.
Or in other, other words, he suggested making our blog private.  !

I am totally not a private person.  Don't get me wrong, I understand it.  But I find myself terribly disappointed when clicking from blog to blog and I'm thwarted by a private one. I don't want to be that blog.

While we decide, I'll just link to the government website.
That must be permitted, right?  Jason's New Job.

Here we are In D.C.(Falls Church to be precise)

Or in other words...Jason started his training for the foreign service .

Here is a glimpse of what we've been up to (according to my iPhone)...

Giggling.

These two adore each other. I recommend having babies 12 months apart. Really.

Celebrating 33 fabulous years.

I love this birthday boy and know this year is going to be amazing.

Taking a General Conference Sunday drive.

The temple was gorgeous even on an a deary day.

Cuddling.

There is no one I'd rather be worn out with.

One 1/2 in Mexico City, The Other in New York City

When friends and family ask if I'm missing Jason, I should say, "How could I not?" Its true. I'm his biggest fan! I love spending time together. He is funnier than most people know, so comforting, and deals with me (almost) perfectly. How could I not miss this guy...

The most difficult part was flying and traveling home from the airport by myself. I'm not used to keeping track of my passport and ticket. It felt weird to be responsible and alert and make sure I got to the right place at the right time--lazy, right? And as I got out of the cab with bags in hand, I realized no one would be offering to lug them up the stairs for me. Sunday night felt odd and it is safe to say that I strongly prefer Jason home but, the truth is, I'm an independent person.

And while I wouldn't say there are perks to his work travel, I have enjoyed covering the bed with clothes which I shove to a corner to sleep...diagonally. I go to bed at 10 and wake up at 5:30 (my preferred sleep schedule). Upon waking I flip on the lights, turn on some tunes and the day has begun without disturbing someone's last 2 hours of beauty rest. Also this week my diet has consisted largely of cheese/crackers, pizza, and corn chowder. I made the soup Tuesday night and consumed it throughout the week. These types of dietary patterns are difficult for Jason--no variation, high calories and little nutrition. I completely understand but sometimes it's just so easy.

But...even though I've enjoyed the crappy diet, a permanent sweat pant wardrobe, and guilt free late nights at work, I am ready for Jason to be home. Friday can't come soon enough.

(post script)--without jason, i still haven't fixed the busted interned & the fact that @ some point i'll have to take out the trash is hanging over me like eeyore's cloud.

It's Official....

The fabulous Jason Reed Gardner turns 30 today! He has left his 20s behind and is on to a new, and promising, decade. I'm sure I'll have a cheesier post soon, but for now call, email, or text some birthday love!
I love you Jason!

Is that romantic or what?

Jason and I have a Valentine's tradition of dining at Wondee Siam, our favorite hole in the wall Thai restaurant. A low key celebration is both of our preference, nothing over the top or contrived. And we find our tradition romantic. This year in discussing our plans, Jason teased that he was going to get me a heart shaped box of chocolates, a dozen roses, and teddy bear holding a balloon. Ultimately we decided no gifts this time.

Thursday rolls around, I hide a few love notes around the apartment before I leave for work and shape a rice krispie treat into a heart. That evening Jason picks up Thai take- out (I had a terrible cold) and we settle into the couch to watch Once.

A wonderful, relaxing evening...and then Jason pauses the movie and instructs me to close my eyes for a surprise. A surprise gift?! For me, when we said no gifts?! I put out my hands and felt cool pastic, opening my eyes to behold a new bottle of...fish oil. That's right I got fish oil supplements for Valentines Day. And then one more caring guesture...Jason says to me, with a voice oozing love, "They even reduce fishy burps." It did say so right on the box and I did suffer from fishy burps with previous supplements.


A perfect Valentines Day.

what i have that's cute....

My husband is so cute and since we don't have any cute baby pictures yet, I'm going to post pictures of Jason. These are some of my favorite memories. This is our first picture together. We had been dating for at least two months, but there aren't always picture opportunities on dates...and I'm just beginning to be a camera person, capturing moments in our lives digitally.


This picture was taken at The Lion House during my cousin Danielle's wedding reception. Jason didn't come as my date. His family was going on a vacation, our stars aligned, and we were in Utah at the same time. This trip qualifies as a favorite memory because it was my first time meeting my future in-laws, although they weren't in-laws at the time. After the reception we drove to Farmington and met Jason's darling parents and little sisters (I already met Deven at the airport). NOTE: I am not writing this next sentence because Mom G may read it. Meeting the Gardners was almost too easy! I already knew I wanted to marry Jason (although I don't know if he was "sold" on the idea at that point...if he was, I didn't know) and therefor was feeling a little nervous. The Gardners instantly made me feel like I had sat at their counter hundreds of times. And now I'm just part of the family.


On our first birthday together, celebrating mine, Jason did something unbelievably thoughtful. I don't know that birthdays were a "big deal" to me. Growing up we always celebrated but as a "grown up" I tried not to expect too much...and I am tough to surprise.

On this September 6th, I assumed we'd go out for a nice dinner but plans weren't discussed...and not because I didn't ask. Jason showed up while I was getting ready, he had to "run get a subway card" and would be "right back". He popped back in 15 minutes to lead me to my birthday surprise. He gave no hints and answered no questions. We left my apartment heading towards the subway station but took an unexpected turn. Jason starting leading me between parked cars right around the corner from my apartment. There was a fancy pants French restaurant right across the street but I couldn't figure out why he'd want to eat there. Jason paused for a moment, turned me around, and said "here it is" or something like that. He surprised me by renting my favorite car, a Chrysler 300M. I loved this car! Every time we saw one that summer I probably made a comment but I didn't realize he was listening. Jason is always this thoughtful. You can see the pride in his face...he loved pulling off the surprise and my delighted reaction.

We took this picture in the cab on the way to the Ray LaMontange concert. It was December 5th, 2005...the day Jason planned on proposing. At the time we were both super-fans and the concert was incredible. Jason wanted to go over to the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park, one of my favorite city places ever since my stay at Mt.Sinai hospital 18 years ago. However the proposal was thwarted by my seasonal sinus infection. I felt tired, had to work the next morning and just wanted to head home to bed. Jason proposed two nights later, after picking me up from volunteering at a soup kitchen. Romantic, right? Concert or not, the evening was perfect and now Columbus Circle is one of my favorite city places because that's where Jason asked me to marry him.


And this is us fresh out of the temple. Extremely happy...which we're learning is not how marriage always is but close enough. Jason is funnier than most people probably know, patient, smart, and loving. It's true that he can't find things and hates to look, likes to stay up too late, is overwhelmed by the very idea of cleaning, questions everything, and could have ESPN on constantly...but I'm getting used to those things. Instead I try to focus on how he always takes the garbage out, loves maps/directions and knowing which way to go, works very hard to figure out my moods, does the dishes, is the perfect travel partner, likes trying new things, keeps track of our finances so I don't have to, and accepts (but doesn't always follow) fashion advice. So far, soooooo good.