A goal, a steer, and 3 little pumpkins

Goal: To be honest, my least favorite exercise is running. It really doesn't come naturally to me, mostly because I am a bit of a wuss. Also, I don't like that jarring feeling on my joints (no offense to all of you avid runners) BUT... I made a goal to at least try it. I decided that I could try to run a 5K, so I made the goal. My life has been pretty cushy, and I wanted to do something challenging so I can prove that I can do things that are out my element, and to push myself a little. As it turns out, I have enjoyed running because I feel like I am pushing myself really hard with every step I take. Last weekend I ran my 5K. I had 2 unexpected reactions when I finished. The 1st was letdown-I was surprised to feel sad it was already over and looking forward to possibly running again next summer to see if I could do it again. The other reaction was just that-an allergic reaction. The run was extra hard, and when I finally stopped, I could see hives all over my body, my mouth was swelling, and my throat starting closing. It almost landed me in the hospital, but fortunately I am O.K. and will just have to see an allergist to see what caused the reaction. It is still a great feeling to check this off my goal list.STEER:Here are Halloween pictures that we promised the fam and the fans. This is the cutest little steer in the world. She had 3 variety of horns-FAKE HORNS

NATURAL HORNS




BOW HORNS

3 LITTLE PUMPKINS, a bottle, a high heel, and an elk. I wonder whose pumpkin belongs to which Owens family member? That is a brain buster!

Paige

Many of my friends out there haven't been able to meet Paige yet, so this post is for you. I wanted to share with you a little bit about what it is like having her in our home and about her personality and who she is as far as we know now.


You know how everyone gives new parents the advice, "Just enjoy every second because it goes by so fast." We really do just love and enjoy being parents. We soak it all in. Yes, it goes by too fast but every part is special. That isn't to say that we don't feel scared, frustrated or tired sometimes, but underneath all of the typical emotions we feel content and blessed. How can we deny the miracle that she is?

The name Paige came from my nickname growing up. My mom called me Paige. I just loved the name and almost wanted it as my middle name because I don't have one. Instead somewhere along the way I felt that if I had a daughter I would name her Paige. I think somewhere in my heart, I felt like we had a girl up there. Jake says she looks just like me. She has a round face shape, my eyes and nose but she has Jake's eyebrows and his steadiness of character. As you can tell, her hair gets lighter every month. She will be a wild card-blonde or brunette? We don't care, but we do think she is a beauty!

If I could sum little Paige in one word, the word would be happy. She smiles and laughs all the time. She loves other babies, children, and is most happy with people around. Taking her to the grocery store is a blast for her. She loves to get out. She loves her grandparents so much. Paige is a joy and literally a light in our home because she just beams.

Paige's first word was "mama." But this week all day long she says "dada." She loves Jake as soon as he comes home from work every day she just wiggles and squeals because she loves to see him. One of her greatest talents is squealing. So far, we can tell that Paige loves to talk, that she is a little bit of a scaredy cat, and that she like to be active and move towards things that are naughty. (cords, drapes, jewlery- you name it) She likes to wave hello, whine for food from her high chair, walk backwards in her walker, clap, and caterpillar crawl. Her favorite food is teddy grahams, or pureed veggies. She'll eat anything but Cheerio puffs.

Like all parents, sometimes we worry that we will ruin her. Mostly I wonder if we'll spoil her too much by holding her or giving her too much attention. Sometimes I wonder if I can push myself harder to have better standards, to live a higher life so that I will be an example. It is so hard to try to be better, but having a child is the best motivation.When we went through infertility, we spent many years with doctors trying to make sense of it all. We tried various fertility treatments, none of them worked. I didn't have any answers, not even why I have infertility. (I am diagnosed with unexplained infertility) but I felt a drive that I can't explain to keep on going with the treatments. It was a gamble, and I had to be O.K. with God, I had to trust that we were making the right decision even if we didn't have the outcome we wanted. We were going to wait for further treatments to save the money we would need but then a friend e-mailed me that a clinic was having a nation-wide clinical trial for healthy patients for InVitro Fertilization. If you qualified for the study, the treatment would be about half the cost. (In Vitro is anywhere from $10,000-$20,000)I met all of their requirements, but they didn't accept me. They said they were full. I pushed and said the right things and somehow I was accepted as the last patient of the trial. I was patient number 1,300out of 1,300. We knew that the way was provided. Our families prayed for a miracle. Now when I look at our little girl, I see her as that miracle. I am so grateful that the way was open, and that we did what we felt was right.

Jake was just as determined as me to have a family, and he is the rock of our family. He is a devoted dad, but he is also the perfect husband for me. For those of you that know Jake, you know that he is a better care-taker than me. He really always has taken care of me, and now he attends to Paige like a pro.

So now you know all about Paige Mary Owens!

Our First Home

Jake and I have said goodbye to rent and hello to a mortgage!! We can't believe we are in our first home! It's happening. We bought an older cottage style home. We put a little elbow grease into it already- but it makes the house feel like we can claim it as our own. We love the feeling of ownership. We closed on the house about a month ago. It is in a small, friendly town near Richfield, Utah where Jake works.


I know that lots of you out there are patiently waiting for your turn too, and I am mindful that we are really blessed!

We added the shutters and painted the door and it really changed the exterior.

Jake has added a mysterious "Where's Waldo?" effect in some of these pictures. See if you can figure it out.

This is our living room area which opens into the dining room. Once again, you may see someone popping into the picture.

My #1 favorite thing about this house are the big windows.

Our fake fireplace

The living room opens into the dining room

Our room

The kitchen

The biggest quirk with the house-the washing machine is in the kitchen and the dryer is in the garage. You just work with it!

This is a side note- Congratulations to Tarah! She just got her mission call the the Washington D.C. South, Spanish speaking mission. We are so happy for you.

HALLOWEEN! decisions decision

We are taking a poll to decide what Paige should be for halloween and it is open to all who would like to vote. Janalyn wants her to be a giraffe or a lion, but I think she would make a great longhorn steer (Janalyn doesn't want to her be a heifer, so she would have to be a steer). Let us know what you think.

Annual Pack Trip

Here are some pictures of the pack trip so you can see how it went. This pack trip was in the Wind Rivers. This cabin was a sight that they stopped at, not stayed in.

Three Mile High Cake, and the Incredible Sniffer

2 stories:

#1: Season and I got together to watch the movie Julie and Julia. We felt inspired by the chef Julia Child, so we thought it would be fun to tackle a difficult recipe. We made this crazy three mile high cake because the ingredients sounded good-devils food cake, pudding, chocolate chips, cream cheese frosting, chocolate chips, cheesecake center, and little french cookies on top. Needless to say, if you combine all of the ingredients, it is WAY too much for the human stomach to digest. It was 4 layers of the cake, then 4 layers of the cheese cake and cream cheese frosting We could only stomach 3 bites because it was so rich. As Season said- "This makes a Big Mac look like an apple."

#2: Paige had a little cold for quite a while, which cleared up. She must have missed the sensation of the flem and stuff in her nose, because her favorite thing to do now is sniff and sniff. She scrunches up her little face all day, and tries to wheeze and sniff. Jake and I are so proud.

Back to School

The months of August and September used to be the busiest time of the year for me. It was back to school time. Every time I went to the store, I would count out 60 folders, or 36 packs of crayons. I would pick out new read aloud books for my students and stay up late at the school moving my classroom furniture, and trying to improve lesson plans.
Aaahhh, the school days. The 1 thing I really miss are the kids. I quit in the middle of the school year because Jake got a job in Richfield, Utah, and I also decided to be home to take care of Paige. Last year, during the end of the school year, my former students sent me letters. They were so funny so I thought I would share a few lines to commemorate school beginning.

Dear Mrs Owens,

How are you doing? Does Jake like his new job? Does your house have butterflys around it?

What time was Paige born? How old is Paige? I have earned my cursive license!

What's your favorite basketball team? Mine is the BYU Cougars.

On St. Patricks Day Miss W. made us kiss the blarney stone. She said that when you kiss it you get the gift of gab.

We are doing Mountain Math, it's fun. We have groups. I'm in the oreo's. I miss you,

Do you watch sports?

Have you made friends?

If you come can you brin the baby with you?

The room is very different than it was last time. Casey is here and he wants to meet you.

I am better at question marks and periods. Plus i like soccer.

What is your favorite type of cheese? My new favorite is Colby Jack.

How long were you in the hospital? I still am not too good at my division!

What year was Paige born?

My mom and I are going to make a hole in the ground where the water stays.



This is why I miss teaching! Have a great school year everyone!