Have you tried Shutterfly?

My first experience with Shutterfly was during the first part of this year. My son was turning 1 and I decided I wanted a way to use all those pictures we had taken since his birth. With the thought of a photobook in mind, I was disappointed with the last program I had used to try to create one. With much research I found Shutterfly was rated #1 for online photobook makers. I immediately signed up and started a photobook. I was surprised by the ease I found in both uploading photos from iPhoto and assembling a book. We immediatley ordered the book when I finished and it arrived in time for his birthday. Everyone loved it, I since have created two more books. For more info on their books or to create one of your own go here: http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books/simple-path

When this holiday season began on rolling around I decided that I would check into the cards Shuttefly had to offer. I was taken when I saw they had over 700 options in their holiday card selection. I was especially taken by the story cards. How cleaver? I loved both the Sweet Holly Story and the Love 2010 designs. I always added an additional piece of paper to my holiday cards that highlighted events from our year, now I don't have to because I can add the story directly to the card. Also, being someone who often pays close attention to the price of my holiday cards I loved that they had cards at a decent price, comparable to those of other companies. Lastly, all holiday cards come with envelopes, most sizes that will ship without extra postage. And if you are really matchy, you can even find coordinating address lables and thank you cards.

Dear Child of Mine,

Thank you for sleeping through the night recently, it is greatly appreciated. I may even consider having another child now.
Love, Mom

Following the trend...

The blogging trend at the current moment is to list what you are thankful for. I have yet to jump on the bandwagon, but think that it is about time. I guess I just had the thought that I didn't want it to be public, but I had absolutely no reasoning behind it. Since I haven't given this blog address to anyone, I thought I would list them here, in a little less public atmosphere.

1. I am thankful for my religion. I am LDS, or Mormon in other words, and living, studying, and believing in gospel of Jesus Christ gives my life meaning and purpose and for that I am grateful.

2. My husband. Ammon can into my life over three years ago and these have been some of the best years of my life. He is the most patient, caring, diligent and intelligent person I know. He is so smart in fact his scholarship pays him to go to school and allows me to stay home with our son (see #3) most of the time. I cannon wait for school to be over for him and for us to start our life without it, I know it will be different, but wonderful.

3. My son, Kent. Although he gave Ammon and me a run for our money while he was an infant, he is sure making up for it now. He is in such a cute stage that makes me smile almost all the time. I love that he 1)is getting the hang of sleeping through the night, 2) nods instead of saying yes, 3) likes to walk all the way to the park but needs a stroller ride back, 4)immediately checks the office for his dad when we get home (sometimes just to see him and sometimes to get a jelly bean), and 4) that he loves his mom.

4. My parents. We tell people that we live in my parents' basement, but in all reality, we live WITH my parents. We live upstairs, we live downstairs, and make messes in both. My parents not only raised me well, they currently let my small family reside with them to save us money, or in other words pay off my student loans which they are the cosigners for.

5. Kent's aunt Rachel. Rachel is always so willing and able to watch Kent when I have to work, which is no easy task with the little naps he takes at her house. She entertains him and teaches him even though I cannot pay her much. She loves him and treats him like her own son, which is what every mother wants when she is away. Kent loves his aunt Rachel.

6. My family. Anyone that knows me knows that I grew up with a lot of family around. Although tough at time, it was more of a blessing than a trial. Now I still have most of that family around as well as more. I love having everyone so close and often take it for granted. We sure will miss everyone when we move to Utah in January, but hopefully we will be back.

7. Ammon's scholarship. Ammon received a scholarship when we were first married that pays for his tuition and books, gives us a stipend monthly, gave him a paid internship every summer, and guarantees him a job when he graduates in December. Although it will eventually take us away from what we know best, in this economy we are just grateful for the funds and jobs it has provided.

8. Friends. I am grateful for good friends, near and far. Most of my friends from growing up and college now live far away. Although I don't get to see them much, I love that we still keep in contact as often as possible. As for my friends near, most of them are in my church ward. I am grateful they are all in the same time of life as me and that we can talk, vent, discuss, etc. with one another, often for hours on end. I hope I will make friends just like them when we move to Utah.

9. My education. When people ask why I chose to go to college at Utah State University, accumulating some $45,000 in debt due to out-of-state tuition, instead of attending college in my hometown I tell them my decision was easy and that I didn't even consider applying to WSU. I'm Mormon and I wanted to surround myself with people that shared my same values. It just so happened that USU was also ranked one of the top 10 schools for their college of elementary education, my chosen field. I am grateful for all the people I met at college, especially my best friend Nicole, and the experiences that I had while I was there. My education now allows me to substitute teach on the side to make a little money to pay off those loans I racked up, a win win, right?

10. Modern day medicine. Although fairly costly, I am grateful there is someone and the means to fix broken bones, cure vitamin D deficiency, stop preterm labor, help my child breath, ease depression, and fill cavities.

Things I wish...

I wish....
1. I didn't view flossing my teeth as such a hassle.
2. art teachers I sub for would tell me where to find cleaning supplies when they plan a finger painting lesson for 2nd graders.
3. I would of had more patience for the skateboarder who took up the whole road, zig zagging back and forth, when I was in a hurry to get home...I honked, he flipped me off, I rolled down my window and asked, okay told him to use the sidewalk then fumed for the next 30 minutes. I could have spared me the anguish if I would have just had enough patience to wait 30 extra seconds for him to get down the street in front of me.

The Purpose

Some of you might wonder why it is that I would start a second blog, sometimes I wonder why I would do such a thing as well, however I find this the only solution for my thoughts, or more specifically recording my thoughts. Sometimes at night I lie awake with thoughts running through my head, thoughts about my life as a wife and a mother, thoughts about my faith, thoughts about my chosen profession of teaching (although only employed as a substitute), and thoughts about what is going on in the world around me. Perhaps some of these thoughts can be categorized as complaints, opinions, worries, or wishes, but they are thoughts nonetheless. I have always loved English, teaching it, editing it, and writing it. Since I no longer teach it, and edit only my brother's college papers, I realized I might as well write. Now just because I love teaching English does not mean I am a master, so as I write, and as you read, please keep that in mind. I hope you will enjoy what I have to say as I embark on what has now become "One Mom's Discourse".