I guess I have a green thumb!

Lets just talk about my obsession with my garden for a moment. It really is an obsession. I check on it multiple times a day, I search for new growth, blossoms and fruit. I touch the leaves, pick the weeds, and just watch it, as if my mind power will make it grow more. I cannot believe the success I have had this year, and I am probably more excited than a normal person should be. I harvest about 4 cucumbers, 3 -4 zucchini, 4-5 jalapeños and basil, oregano and thyme all week long. It has been great! Nothing like fresh produce from your garden! I have a watermelon the size of a softball and I can't wait for it to get bigger. Jared and I are already making plans for next years garden, an expansion will be in the works.

My First Zucchini!! 

My Elle Rose! 

Mega Bite Tomato

Settling In

June was about as busy as May. I think we have officially settled in to our house. There may be a few boxes in closets, but whatever is in those boxes must not be very important since I haven't had a need for it in a month. 

My parents came to visit, and it was so great. They have lived in their home for 30+ years, so I would say they are home owner experts. We tackled numerous projects and they delivered our old family piano and my Grandma's hutch. Thanks mom and dad!!

Jared is pretty much in heaven having a garage! You should have seen the plans he designed for this work bench!

The flower beds in the front of the house had really ugly red wood chips so we took it out and planted some plants. Guara, lavender, creeping thyme, a popcorn tree, and Shasta Daisy's.

This poor old apple tree had to go! It was DEAD. There were hardly any leaves and wasn't going to be producing any fruit. 

I'd say my parents are enjoying themselves

Exploring Fort Buenaventura Park

Two Grandma's in town at the same time. Ellie is one lucky lady!

A re purposed childhood toy from my brother! Ellie will get a lot of use out of this thing!

This may have been Jared's highlight of the week. They found the on/off switch for out ancient sprinkler system. Hallelujah!

Ellie helped too!

Explored Antelope Island with my parents. It was a beautiful day.

We have lots more planned for the month of July...stay tuned!

Mothers Day

Last year I got to celebrate Mother's Day, but I had only been a mom for 2 months. This year I am celebrating a whole year of motherhood. I Survived! Nothing could have prepared me for all I have experience this year of being a mom. It's funny because there are a bunch of blogs out there that have lists of the Top 10,20 or 100 things that first time moms should know. This list include the BEST bottles, pacifiers, toys, nursing bras, strollers, activities, medicines and food to give to your baby. These lists go on and on. What these lists don't prepare you for is the emotional response to having a baby. Nothing could have prepared me for the emotional roller coaster that is the first year of parenting. I cried, a lot. Tears of JOY, exhaustion and stress. Over the last year and 2 months I have fallen completely head over heels in LOVE with Ellie. She has always been independent but still needs me for so much, and I love that! She has changed so much, and I already find myself worrying about her going to school and hoping her life will go smoothly. I can't let those thoughts consume me though. For now I have to relish her beautiful LITTLE body and the baby she is, because I know that she won't be a baby for that long. I love being a mother, I feel very fulfilled. Most days I feel like I have found a good balance between being ME and being a mom. I feel a huge sense of responsibility to raise Ellie to be the best person possible, and this is making me a better person. I think it's pretty amazing that a little child who can hardy communicate has the ability to make a 25 year old woman be a better person. She has helped me recognize my faults and want to fix them. That pretty powerful! Thank you Ellie, you are everything I could have ever hoped for. I love you!

What we did today

Jared built be some grow boxes and we now have a little garden spot. It's not much, but all the room we need. I'm excited to get planting!

Tonights dinner! Recipe on my other Blog.