summer, sweet summer

sunset at the pond

Shelby, Lyndee and I visited the duck pond last night. We got attacked by 2 rather large families of geese wanting our bread. Shelby was so daring, she walked right up to the edge of the pond to get closer to the ducks and geese. I love to spend time with her, even if it means that she stays up late ;) She's so much fun to be with, I feel like the luckiest mom in the world to have her.

Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday at school Shelby learned about daddy's and things that they do. She learned about face shaving (which is actually something she has never seen Gary do since he has had a beard since she was born). When we got home last night she decided to try out her new skill in the tub. Dont worry, there is no blade in the razor (I know there are people freaking out)! She did a pretty spiffy job I must say! Happy father's day daddy, we love you!

SHELBY WAN KENOBI

Ok, the latest and greatest blog update is now here. Shelby is obsessed with her orange towel and really anything orange in general. She will not take it off after she gets out of the tub or shower and walks around looking like ObiWan Kenobi. I think she is doing little Jedi mind tricks on me, actually I know she is...sneaky little thing. Also, whenever she is in the vicinity of a camera lately she does this huge cheese face like you can see in the pic. Its freakin funny! Oh, and speaking of the orange obsession that we have going on, I found an orange matchbox car in her bed (crib) the other morning - she was laying on top of it. How she got it in there without me knowing it is beyond my comprehension, its those jedi mind tricks I tell ya. Anyway, work sucks as usual, I have been in trainings this week that have almost bored me to death. Gary injured his back and so has been in lots of pain and not very fun to be around. Its affecting his work also, so that sucks. At least I know that at 5pm every day Shelby will be stoked to see me, I look forward to that ;)

Ugh work.

Thursday, boring Thursday. I am sitting in my office being totally bored even though I have TONS of work that needs to be done. I was off yesterday (took a mental health day) and so now I am just not in the working mood. I had to blur the pic of my office a little for confidentiality reasons. I look a little pissy but thats just my normal look ;) I'm so glad tomorry is Friday, I'm sick of being at work this week.

Current Pics!!!!!

Shelby was completely enthralled with the Blues Clues movie she was watching on the long drive home from SLC. Dont worry, she snapped out of it and we played in her pool when we got home! Just want everyone to know that i have lost 35 pounds since Shelby was born!! Woot woot!! I'm very proud of myself, I go to the gym 2-3 times a week!! If you are wondering why there are no pictures of Gary on here recently that is because he is a butt and wont let me take his picture - like are we in junior high or what?? ;)

Memorial Day Tribute to Daddy

Memorial Day has historically been a bad day for me. This year was a little different because my family has changed so much. My little Shelby is now over 2 and her big blue eyes remind me of him everyday. She carries his picture around the house and seems to know what I am talking about when I say his name. Its amazing how close children are to the spirit world. We visited the cemetary like we do every year and took pictures, they will be posted as soon as I pull them off my camera. This year Memorial Day brought a new perspective to my life. I realized that I needed to step back and look at "the big picture", meaning that I needed to think of every day as if it were my last. The song that best describes how I felt is Tim McGraw's "Live like you were dying". I also heard Reba's "The greatest man I never knew" and this brought me to tears thinking of how my dad worked up until the day he died. Oh how I wish I could have one more day on this earth with him, but since that is not possible I have started to make an effort to mend my relationships so that in the event that I leave early, things will be in order. Once someone you dearly love in your life dies you gain a new perspective as to what is most important in life, it has taken me 10 years and I continue to learn every day. My anger at him for leaving has changed to a feeling of happiness that he does not have to be a part of this evil world that continues to get worse and worse. I read a scripture the other day that stated something to the effect that the spirits of the spirit world are around us, they feel our pain, they feel our sadness and see our mistakes and they wait and hope for us to be happy. I know this is true, I have felt my dad although I have never seen him as a spirit. Knowing that he is with me, along with others I have lost along the way, brings peace to me. Give those you love a hug and tell them how much they mean to you, they may be gone tomorrow and you will have lost your chance in this life. - Jackie

OH MY CRAP! ITS BEEN 2 YEARS!

Well it appears that i have not posted to my freaking awesome and terribly popular blog for 2 years now. Kids can make time fly by, seriously. I'm just going to post a quick update for those that i havent seen in awhile. Shelby turned 2 in March, we remodeled our house, gary got his long awaited 65 inch flatscreen, i got a new car, we are planning to get pregnant this summer with child #2 - which will be the last of the Jackie/Gary clan. We already have the name whether its a boy or girl - Tate! I still work for SSA doing disability claims, Gary still works for Greene's Inc cutting concrete and Shelby still goes to the fabulous YWCA Lollie Eccles daycare where she is now learning chemistry 2010 and pre med courses. We are very happy in our own little Larsen world. We dont leave the house much, mainly for groceries or I take shelby to the duck pond for a bike ride. We love our life, no complaints at this time! More posts to come...

babies change people, its true

A baby can change a lot of things in life. Its funny how people that you have never talked to or dont even know suddenly want to see your baby and ask like 500 questions about them. Babies also bring families closer. Whenever we go to a family activity lately we are the most popular people there because everybody wants to see and hold shelby. Even family members that i wasnt on good terms with or havent talked to in years suddenly forget the past and become my friend again. As an example, just the other day i was at training table for lunch with gary and shelby. I had to take her to the bathroom to change her pants and she was fussing. I walked past the cashier counter and like 5 employees rushed out to see shelby and ask me how old she is and blah blah blah. I have to admit that while i was pregnant i was overly interested in babies. Once i was in the bathroom at Rainbow Gardens and a girl was changing her newborn baby. I wanted to see it so bad that i walked right into a wall while staring. Then i tried to exit through the closet, i was embarrassed to say the least. So i can see why people are so interested. Babies dont stay small for long and you dont really see lots of babies out and about every day. I must admit that Shelby is especially popular because she is SO STINKIN CUTE and everybody wants to see and touch her thick hair. Not only has Shelby changed me, she causes even the most tired and pissed off cashier at Walmart to smile and comment about how cute she is, instantly changing their demeanor. I dont know what it is about babies that makes people suddenly nice, its a strange phenomenon. All i know is that i like it =)

Deep thoughts of Shelby

Today I had a rough day. I am just bummed about going back to work. Im not bummed because i dont want to work, Im bummed because i will miss shelby all day long. I actually enjoy my job and my friends at work very much, but i also enjoy my shelb too. In all honesty, i have to work. Not much of a choice, this is the life that I have chosen and I love working and using my college education for something. I will be with shelb every week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and also every night after work. I dont feel guilty about having to put her in daycare, i feel that it will be a good social experience for her. I recenly went and checked out the daycare that shelb will be going to. Its right down the street from my house and the lady that runs it is SUPER nice and very good with babies. I felt very good about it when i went to visit. SO my question is this: why do people feel the need to express thier very strong opinions about child care to me when clearly i have a different opinion? I dont try and force my opinion on them, nor would i ever make someone feel like a bad parent for having to go to work to provide for thier children. What about single parents? Are they bad parents because they have to put thier kids in daycare? I think not. I just wish that people would keep thier rude opinions to themselves and do the most sensitive thing - put themselves in my shoes. Yes, I love shelby more than anything. Yes, I value our time together. Yes, I want her to have a good and meaningful life. Yes, I want her to have a good relationship with me and her family. No, I dont think that putting Shelby in daycare is "letting someone else raise my child". Shelby will grow up to love me as her mother because that is exactly what I am, I care about her more than anything and being a working mom just means that the time I get to spend with her will mean everything to me and i will make it the best i possibly can.

proud uncle!

proud grandma!

The whole Fam Damly!

smile!

Shelb has recently started to smile all the time, especially when you talk all sweetly to her. Her hair is also turning a bit red, you can see it in the above picture. This makes me so dang happy!!! Although I endured a lot of teasing when i was young, it was worth having a color of hair that is not very common. Shelb's hair is a darker red, we will see what it does in the next couple months of her life. Shelb wanted me to tell everyone that she loves you all and is so happy that people still come to visit her. She is growing up so fast, I cant believe she is 7 weeks old! I will be going back to work on the 8th of May, this is a major bummer for me as i have enjoyed the time off immensely. I will also miss shelb but i guess absence makes the heart grow fonder!! More pictures to come!

yo yo yo

Sup! This is Shelby the homie, she was trying out a new look the other day and we thought she looked pretty good! Just to update everyone, Shelby is chillin in da hood wit her coo self. Today Shelby spent the day at Grandma's house in Huntsville. According to Grandma, she slept most of the day, which totally screws me over because she will more than likely be up all night now. When my mom told me this, i wondered why shelby doesnt ever sleep all day when i am home with her. Then i came to the conclusion that its because i am so entertaining that she doesnt want to miss anything so she stays awake all day long. Oh, and there has been an addition to the family: Grandma Sue and Grandpa Joe were blessed with two bunnies for Easter. They are named Beast and Sprinkles and are living in the chicken coop in the yard. We would like to extend a warm welcome to them and invite you to visit them whenever you want. peace out yo.

Im a month old!!

squeeky cleen

bath time!!

A little less conversation, a little more action

In the words of the famous Elvis, "a little less conversation, a little more action. All this aggravation aint satisfactionin' me." I played this song for Shelby a few times the other night in an attempt to get the bean to go to sleep and low and behold IT WORKED!! Lately Shelby has been schooled in the music of U2, Rascal Flatts, Cold Play, Collective Soul, B 52's, Moulin Rouge, Green Day and Michael Jackson. Shelby has also traveled to such places as Training Table, Chili's, Elvera's Hair Salon, a foreign country called Huntsville and to the parking lot of Walmart and Albertson's. Shelby is currently learning the moon walk, the hustle and the macarena. After some long and vigorous IQ testing it has been found that Shelby's IQ is higher than both of her parents and is borderline genius. Shelby's favorite animal is the tree frog, which she does impressions of by suddenly throwing her arms out and flaring her fingers open. Just today Shelby told me that I am the coolest mom she could ever wish for...okay i made that one up but she gives me non verbal cues that this is the truth. Shelby currently enjoys baths, eating and getting her pants changed. After hours of studying Shelby's face I have come to the conclusion that she looks a little elf-ish with eyes from her daddy and a cute mouth and chin from her cool mommy. Shelby recieved 4 college acceptance letters yesterday and we are looking into sending her to either Harvard or Yale - a very tough choice as you might imagine. She has also been asked to pose for the July cover of Parent's magazine. Man she is busy, but she will continue to type this post for me every week =). What a good bean.