I will just admit that I am a failure at keeping our blog updated.  So much has happened in the past year, I figure I am overdue for an update ... for anyone that is interested enough to still check this page.

Quick summery:  Jon loves his job at the prison. We got pregnant! Jon's parent's came home from their mission, so we moved out of their house and into my brother's basement (temporarily).  We had a baby she is perfect!  Josie turned 3!  I turned 28 (uh, weird!).  We are buying a house! .

Okay, now for a few more details and pictures.

Jon's Parent's returned from the Philippines the beginning of May. They loved their mission and they have many stories to tell if asked.  Jon and I moved out just a week before.  We moved into Jason's basement as a temporary living place until we could buy a house.  It is a nice little apartment, and while it isn't our ideal living situation, it is nice to have cheaper rent, and not to have a contract.  We have been able to save a little, and have the freedom to move out when we find a home.

Guinevere Mae Goss

Born, May 23rd, 7 lbs, 9 oz, 19 inches.

Even though I tried to force my body into labor, I was induced on May 23rd.  I was really worried that I would have another 9 lbs 2 oz baby ... and with my medical history, that isn't such a good idea.  I had an awesome Dr who was willing to work with me and all my concerns.  Everything worked out so well, and she is absolutely perfect.  I will post a more in depth post of the birth, and about the week in the NICU.

My recovery was pretty easy, and it didn't take us too long before we were seriously looking at houses.  We had looked at a few before Guin was born, but nothing came of them.  We have an awesome Realtor who has been so patient and helpful.  Ultimately we looked at 17 houses and put in 9 offers before we had an offer accepted.  We knew what we wanted and what we could afford, so when we looked at houses it was mainly to see how much work there was compared to another house.  Well ... this is our house!

It doesn't look like much...but it is ours!  I actually don't think the pictures do it justice. It seems much bigger in person, especially inside.  We got everything and more than we were expecting to get: 2000 sq ft, rambler (not a split entry), corner lot (huge yard), fully fenced, 3 bedrooms on the main level, 1 bedroom in the basement, 2 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, nice tile/flooring, very few repairs...the list goes on.  The only thing we did not get was a garage or carport, but that is easily fixed when we get more money.  We are SUPER excited.  We close on October 12th, and hope to be moving in two weeks later.

JOSIE IS 3!!!

I'm pretty sure every parent is in denial when their child has a birthday.  I can't believe that my baby is now a big girl...a princess!  I'm not quite sure where the princess kick is from, but she is who she is, and I happily support her.  For her birthday she got a little tea set, a princess dress along with a necklace, ear rings, shoes, and a crown.  Just look at her... 

Josie is such a good child.  She has so much energy, and she is such a joy to have around.  She LOVES being a big sister.  She is always so willing to help with Guin.  She is so full of love for Guin, the rest of our family, and even strangers.  She is always saying hi to people in the stores and trying to make friends where ever we go.  If I allowed her ... she would probably stay awake for 24 hours before voluntarily falling asleep...even then she still might fight it.  she just has so much energy and never stops unless forced.
I love my big girl.  I love watching her grow and learn.  I feel so lucky to have her in my life.

So, I'm not sure how it became the year 2012, and I turned 28...seriously weird.  It honestly feels like yesterday when I started college, or got married, or graduated.  Man, how time flies.  I sound like such a cliche.  I never thought I would freak out about getting old, but I guess I am a little.

Jon is still working for the State Prison.  He loves his job, and he is good at it.  Right now he is working a 12 hour night shift.  His schedule is a little whack.  But he loves it.  I like the 12 hour schedule, I'm just not the biggest fan of the night shift.  But I am so grateful for his hard work and for providing for us and allowing us to buy our home.

Just a few more pictures for good measure!

I am the luckiest girl alive to have this handsome man ...

 and this adorable girl...

in my life.

Jon is loving his job at the prison.  He works night shifts (6pm - 6am) and since he works 12 hour shifts his days rotate throughout the month.  So we have learned that the time of day or day of week doesn't really matter.  We enjoy all the time we have together, no matter when it is.  When Jon is working or sleeping, Josie and do I our best not to be too loud or get too bored.  I must say...I miss the summer much more than I have in the past.  It is only the beginning of winter and I am already starting to feel cabin feverish (partly my own fault).

A little about Josie:  

Josie is such a fun little girl.  She spends her days teasing me, climbing on everything, and pretending she is a princess, kitty, puppy, big bear ... or whatever else enters her sharp little mind.  She also loves to pretend to cook and eat food.  Although, right now her pretend food is a bunch of bead necklaces (she needs to wait until Christmas for a food upgrade).

She is talking and talking and talking.  It amazes me some of the things she ends up saying.  She knows her colors and her numbers.  I can't really take credit for what she knows, I just show her a few things and she picks it up so fast.  I have determined that her favorite color is red.  She is always asking for red things.

Josie loves to sing and dance, especially when I turn on her favorite Disney and Glee songs.  She sings along ... and it is so cute.  Sometimes I am willing to listen to the same song over and over again just because her singing is so cute.

Josie is so friendly and outgoing.  She is always saying hi to people that we don't know.  She loves to give hugs and kisses.  She has such a good happy nature about it, I really can't complain about the few tantrums that happen during the weeks.

I just wanted to give a quick update and talk about Josie.  I need to be better about writing down her stages and the things she loves to do.

Another Graduation

I am sure all of you are aware that Jon got a job at the Department of Corrections in Draper.  He started Police Academy on May 31st and he just graduated on September 15th.  This graduation was much shorter and much more exciting than his graduation from BYU.  The academy included many classes on laws, drugs, defensive tactics, guns, how to handle inmates, and many other classes.  This is where I get to brag about my amazing husband.  Before he started academy he decided that he was going to be dedicated and be in the top of his class.  He was extremely dedicated in working out, practicing his defensive tactics, and studying for his written tests.  He would even encourage his carpool and other cadets to stay after to workout or practice their defensive tactics.  He even helped a few cadets pass their tests.  All of his hard work did not go unnoticed.  There were about 10 awards and Jon received 3 of them!!!  Out of a class of 45 he was in the top 10%.  He also received the top Defensive Tactics award, and the Best All Around Cadet award ... meaning he had the best defensive tactics and written test scores combined.  Oh, and let's not forget the fact that all of our cheering (especially Janelle) was noticed by the Academy Commissioner.  What a great start to his career!
I am so proud of his hard work and dedication.  Since graduation he has been training in Max Security.  He is learning a lot and really enjoying his job.  Thank you to everyone that came and thank you to everyone that has helped us get through academy.

Receiving his certificate of completion

Showing off his hard earned awards ... he is so handsome

I'm so proud!!!

Everyone that came -- THANK YOU

First Hair Cut

Josie has worked really hard over the past 2 years to grow her beautiful strawberry blonde curls.  I was always scared that when I cut her hair, her curls would go away.  So I just let her hair grow and watched it turn into a mullet.  But I didn't care...I loved it!
For some reason while I was standing in line at Walmart I realized that if I just cut a couple inches off the bottom it take away a lot of the mullet and it would take away her curls.  So after bath-time, we turned on Beauty and the Beast (one of the only ways she will hold still) ... and I chopped.

BEFORE  

She is slouching forward, but it still shows her mullet-type hair.

AFTER

 YAY!!! She still has curls and her hair is actually straight.  I just LOVE my little girl.

Water Baby!

This summer Josie and I have spent a lot of time at the pool.  We started the summer with swim lessons to teach her a few rules and get her used to the water ... she immediately loved it!

Last weekend Jon had some family in town.  We went to the AF city pool and it was so much fun.  Thought I would share some of the super cute pictures.

Operation: Sticker Therapy

Your mission: to help bring happiness and distraction to toddlers fighting cancer by mailing stickers, sticker books, or happy vibes!

Hi! This is Abigail (my niece) the day before her 2nd birthday. You can see her central line and her surgery scar.

When she was 19 months old she was critically ill, and diagnosed with cancer--stage 4, high-risk Neuroblastoma.

She has been through a lot--with a lot still yet to go through. Abigail loves stickers and they offer distraction and entertainment during multiple hospital stays.

When kids are fighting cancer, they go through a lot of yucky therapies: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, antibody therapy, etc. We decided to call this project Sticker Therapy...a therapy they could look forward to!!

Our goal with Operation: Sticker Therapy is to receive enough stickers to be able to put some packets together to share with other children we meet who are fighting for their lives. We encourage you to donate some stickers, and then know that you are blessing the lives of some precious children.

Please mail them to:

To: Operation: Sticker Therapy
C/O Fans Across America Charitable Foundation
18521 E. Queen Creek Rd., Suite 105-187
Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Thank you for your kindness and generosity, and may it be returned unto you!

If you would like to make a financial donation to Abigail, that would be greatly appreciated. You can do so by visiting this site:
http://www.fansacrossamerica.com/assist_a_family/registry/families/families_in_need/abigail_goss_family.php

or by including a check payable to "Abigail Goss Medical Trust Fund" with your stickers. Thank you dearly!

NEW JOBS

Jon and I officially have new jobs!!!
Jon started working for the Department of Corrections last Tuesday.  He has 4 months of Police Academy ahead of him.  Ten hours a day of classes and physical training can be taxing, but he is much happier.  He loves being the provider for our family.
As for my job...I feel like the luckiest girl.  I am doing laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning, shopping...etc!  But you know, even though the work is mundane and it can be annoying, I am so happy doing daily tasks for my family.  We have learned a lot over the past 2 years.  It has not been easy, and Im not sure I would want to do it again, but I am grateful for the lessons we have both learned.

Now, lets talk about Josie!!!  She is 22 months and a busy bee.  She wakes up happy, eats a big breakfast and then plays really hard until her nap, then she wakes up, and plays really hard until it is time for bed. 
She LOVES animals and she is an expert at animal sounds; puppies, roosters, bee's... haha, it's so fun.  She has such a cute personality and I am so proud to be her mommy.