Stop! All this cuteness is making me sick!

Not really... But there is alot of it going on here... :) I came out from getting ready for church Sunday morning (hence the PJs...still...) and this is what I found. How in the world did I end up with such a girly girl?! I love it!

Going Private...

I have been postponing this for quite awhile now, because I hate when I go to look at one of my friends blogs and I can't because they've gone private, but when people start commenting on my family blog that I have no idea who they are and their profile isn't available... lets just say it makes me really nervous! You just never know about some people out there. I'll leave this public for a couple weeks, so if you want an invite leave your e-mail address and I'll send you one. Thanks!

Santa Claus

This year we have been talking up Santa Claus hoping that Jorgan would be excited for the Christmas party and sit on his lap with out screaming... It worked! She just walked right up to him and sat on his lap and was so CUTE! Ok so she still looks a little freaked out, but she wasn't crying! :) I'm so excited for Christmas this year because she's going to get it, and we won't have to unwrap her present FOR her. Woohoo!

4 down...Eternity to Go...

Collin and I celebrated out 4th anniversary this week and more than ever I know he is the man I am SUPPOSED to be with. Collin works so hard for our family and usually has about half an hour to get home and shower than he is off to his next shift, but he took the time to get me some flowers and let me know how much he loves me. As I sit here this morning, I can't help but think back on the past four years and think of how blessed we have been. I love the life we have created for ourselves! We may not have everything we want but we have always been blessed with what we need. We have a beautiful daughter who we love with all our hearts. I have a wonderful husband who I love more and more each day and always supports me in everything I want to do. Everything isn't always perfect, and we have certainly had our disagreements, but if I had to do it all over again I would still choose Collin to go through life's adventure's with. Thanks for being wonderful and working so hard to make your family happy! Here's to loving you babe! Four down, and eternity to go...

Blog slacker (Warning LONG Post!)

Where has the time gone?! I can't believe we are already half-way through October! It seems like I just started volleyball again and now we are 2 weeks away from the Regional Tournament. (I measure my life right now by games played vs. still left... I guess it comes with coaching?) Things here are going well and I'm going to attemp to summarize it all for journal purposes. If you're still reading by the end... props to you. You're a dedicated blog reader! :)

Collin is still as wonderful as ever and works so hard for our family. As much as I miss him, I'm glad he loves what he does and so that makes it a little easier to wave goodbye for two days at a time. I love watching Jorgan's face when her Daddy walks through the door! She squeels and runs right up to give him a big love and she doesn't even like sharing him with me!

Jorgan is getting so big! It seems like the last month she has really gone from a baby to a little girl. It makes me sad (but not sad enough to want another one just yet! :D)... She jabbers constantly and there are some real words thrown in here or there. She says "Hi" "Mom" "Dad" "Babba" "Bampa" (Grandpa) "Pappa" "Dance" (She usually ways this one as she's waiving her arms around and running in a circle, I guess that what dancing passes for these days... :D It is so cute!) Lately, she's been saying "Oh no!" and "Oh my gosh!" I guess I say that alot... guess I'll have to watch what I say from now on! :) She also has an obsession with shoes lately. She will try anyones shoes on that will let her. She usually walks over to someone and points and grunts until they give in and she gets to try one their shoes. If they are in a pile on the ground, forget it. They are fair game and she will wear them until you chase her down and retrieve them. She does really good at matching the shoes. She always seems to know which shoes go together... she really is pretty smart. Takes after her mother. :) hee hee. I've started watching one of my friends little boys that is a few months younger than she is. It is really good for her to learn to share (work in progress) and be "soft" (another work in progress) and play with another kiddo. She's doing pretty good. She is so much fun and such a sweetheart! Her Daddy and I love her so stinkin' much!

Things always seem to get a little hectic for me this time of year. I love it though. It keeps things interesting. I am still coaching volleyball for the next month or so. This is the time of the season when things start to get exciting. The work up to State. I'll let you know how that goes. The team looks pretty good so far. There is a new Varsity coach this year that is a JOY to work with. I am learning so much. I'm also still in YW and loving it! I really think we have the best young women in the church. :) Collin and I both just got put on the Activities Committee. I'm kind of excited to have a calling with him. That should be fun. I'm still doing photography as well and its picked up a little bit. I don't know if it will drop off when the rush to get Senior pictures in time for the yearbook deadline is over, but its been fun to have some sessions and learn new things. Its really turning into a passion of mine and I'm greatful that Collin is indulging me a little bit on this. He's wonderful... did I mention that? :)

Hopefully I'll get better at blogging when things calm down a little bit. Just thought I would let everyone know that we're still alive and haven't fallen off the face of the earth. :)

My beautiful baby girl has grown into a toddler and with that has come all of the joys that go along with it. The tantrums have started, she's having trouble sleeping through the night again (I thought we were past that), etc. etc. etc. I was having a particularly hard day a couple days ago, Collin had been gone to work for two days straight, I'd had discipline problems at volleyball practice, Jorgan was in a winning mood, and I was at my rope's end. I found this quote that I think I needed to see and read it. It hit me in a way that I know was inspired and it made me realize how fortunate I am, and that I need to focus on the positive things instead of getting frustrated with the things that I can't control. I have a wonderful husband who loves me and works SO hard for our family. He is the best dad to our beautiful little girl who is growing up so fast. She is learning new things everyday and so happy and loving. I just need to soak it all in and not take it for granted because her being this little and so innocent and precious isn't going to last forever. If I keep focusing on the laundry not being done, and the endless diapers that need to be changed, etc. I know I will end up regretting that I didn't take more time to enjoy her being little and learning how to say and do new things. I guess I just need a wake up call once in awhile to make me realize what a blessed life I have and how much I have to be grateful for.

Here it goes!

So I've been dabbling in photography for the last two years and I have fallen in love with it! It is great learning new techniques and seeing the changes in the end product. After a couple years I feel like my photos are consistent enough to take it public. I've launched a new blog with pictures that I have taken in the past, so it would be great if anyone and everyone would go take a look and let me know what you think. I love feedback! Hannah Claridge Photography

Graduates

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to my little brother and sister. Evan graduated from Pima High School this year and Olivia graduated from 8th grade and is moving on up to high school! I feel old. Congratulations you two, we love you and are so proud of you!Evan just thought he was getting his diploma... maybe they'll mail it. :)

Jorgan's 1st Birthday

My little Baby has turned 1! I can't believe it! For her birthday we had a cookout at Chris and Debbie's outdoor kitchen (thank you!) and invited the family. It was so much fun to have everyone there and Jorgan made out like a bandit. Thanks everyone for the fun gifts. She loves them all! Rochelle made her the CUTEST cake! She is so talented! Jorgan didn't know what to think about it at first, but after one bite.... It turned into this! Now you know why her shirt if off in all the pictures. She was a mess but it was so fun to see her just go to town on that cake. She sure played it up!

Another breakthrough is that she got to turn around in the car! I was so excited for this day to come and I love driving town with her looking out the windows and talking to me! So fun!

Jorgan's one year accomplishments:

21 pounds

Has 10 teeth

Walks everywhere, sometimes runs... she's fast!

Climbs everything

Says Mama, Dada, Baba, Hi!, Bye!, Ya, Bampa (Grandpa), and can make horsey noises.

Can wave goodbye and blow kisses.

Loves reading books and knocking down block towers.

Gets her purse and walks to the door waving and saying BYE! (The cutest thing I have ever seen)

The busiest baby ever. This girl never stops.

Gives the best loves and kisses. She pats you on the shoulder or arm or cheek when she gives you hugs. LOVE IT!

Loves to cuddle when she's sleepy.

Says Mmmmm after every bite when she likes what she's eating.

Drinks with a sippy cup

Is the SWEETEST baby girl and has both her parents wrapped around her little finger. This girl is spoiled rotten!

I am so grateful for this little girl. She fills my life with such joy and I know the same goes for Collin. If I've had a not so wonderful day I know I can expect a big love and kiss from my little girl and the world is suddenly good again. She is so busy and keeps me constantly on my toes but I wouldn't trade her for anything. We love you Jorgan! I'm glad you're ours.

The Gila Valley Temple Celebration and Dedication

Its going to be pretty hard to beat this past weekend. There has been such a feeling of excitement and anticipation surrounding the temple that it seems hard to believe that it is now open and functioning as a dedicated temple. I feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of this and know what a blessing the temple is going to be for this valley. For journal purposes I'm going to write about everything that happened over the past two days.
Saturday night I went with my mom and cousin David to the Temple Cultural Celebration. There were so many people there and they were all talking so loud until President Monson drove up. You could have heard a pin drop if it hadn't have been for all the camera shutters going off. He got out of his little golf cart and immediately started talking to the little children sitting in front of him. He wiggled his ears and told a hilarious story about his Mexican friend. The two of them had gotten in trouble and had to write lines in the classroom after school. They heard a car honk and Juan (or whatever his name was) told the teacher that he had to leave because his dad was there to pick him up. President Monson said " I knew his dad didn't have a car so don't tell me about dumb Mexicans. They're smart!" We all laughed but looked around to see if there were any Mexicans that had been offended, but then what could you say? He was the prophet...
The TCC was amazing all the kids did such a great job! I think Pima's dances were my favorite. They did the cotton stomp. My brother, Evan, and sister, Olivia were in the show and they did such a good job! So many clever people put alot of time into developing that show and it came out incredible. The finale was so powerful. All the kids were waving colorful flags and singing Come, Come Ye Saints. At the end of the song they all put on white capes (that the RS sisters had made. They were "wrapped in Relief Society love" as my Grandma Katy put it)and pulled streamers that were attached to a tower with the angel Moroni on it. That picture along of all those youth standing there so excited about the temple being built here was enough to bring tears to my eyes (I'm not going to lie, it happened more than once!) After is was over President Monson started shaking hands and it was amazing. All of the youth collectively started moving towards him. Not in a chaotic way at all, they just wanted to be as close to the prophet as they could get. Someone started singing "We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet" and the entire stadium started to sing. After the song was over a man yelled "Hurrah for Israel!" and all the boys on the field answered him "Hurrah for Israel!", "Hurrah for Israel!", "Hurrah for Israel!" I have never seen that many people be that quiet as we all just watched President Monson. That was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. I think that must have been a little bit like what the Nephites felt in 3rd Nephi. We were only about 20 feet away from a prophet of God and it was such a great feeling. None of us wanted him to leave.
The next morning we got ready early and took Jorgan to Pork and Rochelle's (Thanks for watching her!) and headed to the temple for the dedication. All of my Dad's brothers and sisters were there except one and alot of my cousins were there as well. My mom and dad, and aunts and uncles got to go in the Celestial Room with my grandparents and the rest of us went to another room in the temple to watch the dedication. It was wonderful to be there with Collin, and my brothers and Olivia, my parents, and my cousins. There was such a spirit in the temple. Grandma and Grandpa Crockett both talked in the 9AM session and they both did such a good job. I would have been so nervous to speak in front of the Prophet, let alone all the people that were watching the dedication. Grandma talked about how she was sure that there were people who had already died that were probably at the dedication and were rejoicing that there is a temple here and I believe it. You could feel it there. Grandpa talked about becoming more Christlike through temple work. I am so grateful for these two amazing examples in my life. They have always answered the call to serve no matter what the sacrifice to them and it is a wonderful legacy for their posterity to follow. President Monson spoke about President Kimball and his love for The Gila Valley. That he is sure he is rejoicing to know that there finally is a temple in his beloved hometown. I'm sure President Kimball and many others are rejoicing right alongside all of us here because we have waited for a temple for so long and it finally happened! It seems unreal still.
I am so excited to be able to drive 20 minutes from my home and attend a temple of the Lord whenever I can. I need to make a commitment to try and attend more than I have in the past and I don't have the excuse of a 3 hour drive anymore.

Springtime

Springtime... (sigh) I love this time of year...

Hip Hip Hooray!

My brother Sean has returned home from the Cape Town, South Africa mission. He was such a dedicated missionary and we are so proud of him. His mission report was yesterday and he gave such a great talk. Glad to have you home Sean!

Cause and Effect

We've had an exciting week. First Jorgan started walking!


This makes me a little nervous and apparently I have good reason to be!


She pulled the piano bench over on herself and we thought she had possibly broken her nose! Luckily she didn't and she gets this badge of blue and purple to wear around for a while. I love this little girl but she is going to give me gray hairs!

Our Little Jorgan

Jorgan is nine months old! I can't believe it, where has the time gone? She is the delight of our lives!
A Few of Her Favorites:
Broccoli (weird I know)
Taking naps with Momma
Spending time with Dadda
Exploring
Feeding the horses
Walks outside
Playing with Grandma and Grandpa
Crawling away from Momma, laughing :)
Being tickled
Peek-a-boo

A Few of Her Accomplishments:
She says Dadda, Baba, Bampa(we think its Grandpa) and Momma(only when she's mad or upset)
She feeds her self (very independent)
She crawls very fast
She climbs on everything
She is trying to figure out the whole walking thing
Smiles constantly
Can cry on demand
Knows how to take her shoes off
Helps mom with the laundry

We truly love this little girl. She is so fun!

The Holidays

It seems like I'm always playing catch up with this blog... Oh well. We had a fantastic holiday season full of food, family and fun...

Thanksgiving this year was spent with Collin's family. The first time since we've been married. It was so much fun with food, food, food! Which means I ATE, ATE, ATE! Jorgan had fun with all the different food we kept letting her try!

Cousins! Jorgan loved playing with her cousins. They are so fun!

All of the Collin's family and the Norton Aunts and Uncles and cousins were there and it was fun to visit, wrangle kids, and of course play CATCH PHRASE! Some of us get very creative and intense (Chelle) when we play that game... :) Fun times. After Thanksgiving Day we had the Norton Family Reunion that weekend. I met a whole lot of relatives that I have known all my life and am now related to. It was fun. I'll forever have burned into my mind a certain rendition of YMCA...

We had a few weeks break where I made a mad dash to get every one's presents put together. Every year I swear I will start that whole process earlier than December 17th but I am the Queen of Procrastination so I find myself in the same place every year; One week to go and I'm not even 1/3 of the way through my list! I got it all pulled together thankfully and it was a great Christmas.

Collin had to work Christmas Eve so Jorgan and I stayed at my parents house that night. Talk about flashbacks from the past! Evan and Olivia went carolling, so we got to stay with my mom and dad and sing songs and look at the fire, and I fell asleep at about 9. It was heaven! Thanks for taking Jorgan, Mom! That in itself was a great Christmas present!

Christmas morning we woke up early and fixed breakfast and waited for Collin to get there so we could open the presents. We got about half way through with presents and then Sean called! It was so fun to talk to him. He sounds so good! His release date is March 5th and he'll be home on the 6th. My mom is counting down the hours practically... Anyways, back to Christmas. We finished opening the presents at my parents (We were so spoiled!) Collin got a GPS unit from me and Jorgan, and a bunch of stuff for guns and other manly stuff. I got a new camera from Collin! My parents also got us year supply stuff (thank you, I already feel more secure) and a play pen for Jorgan, and then Jorgan was spoiled rotten!

I think Jorgan enjoyed eating the wrapping paper more than opening presents!

Evan made her the prettiest little rocking chair. I love it!

After presents, we got ready really fast and headed to spend the rest of the day with the Claridges. Yummy food at Vick's beautiful new house, then we headed to Chris and Debbie's for presents over there... I never knew Christmas could be so fun with two families! JK... They got us some beautiful books on the Claridge and Norton heritage, and Debbie slaved hours to make us a scrapbook full of pictures of great-grandparents, and stories. It is really a treasure. The rest of the day was spent eating, visiting, eating, playing games, eating, and did I mention eating... I love her face in this picture... she has crazy eyes! Thanks Chelle, she loves these!

The Sunday after Christmas, Seth and Courtney blessed their new little baby boy and we had more good times. Eating, visiting, eating, wrestling crazy, crying, babes who desperately needed naps, eating some more, you know the usual. It was a fun day and little Mason is so precious.

New Years Eve was about as low key as I've ever had. We must be getting old because we went to bed at 9, and only happened to notice it was after midnight because one of us was taking a bathroom break and noticed the clock... Life's grand.

I sat down New Years Day to write my resolutions and realized that half of them had to do with weight loss and my figure. I can only assume that this is a result of all of the aforementioned holiday parties and family get togethers. Mostly though, I have to remember all of the blessings I have: a wonderful husband and daughter, a fantastic extended family, a home, Collin's job, etc, etc, etc. 2009 sure was a wonderful year but I'm excited to see what this year brings!