100 Posts

Well I am all caught up! There has been so much happening in our lives right now and I just wanted to make sure my journal was all caught up. Plus as I get more and more famous from our voting commercials I am sure people are going to want to know all about us. Ugh the life of the POOR and FAMOUS it is tough!

LOVE

Check out this BABY! She is getting so big and SMILES all the time!

Addy's Blessing

We blessed Addy on Oct. 10th. It was such a beautiful day, Jake did an amazing job and made me cry. He also bore his testimony which made me cry even more.



Aunt Suzy made her blessing dress, it was so beautiful! Also don't we look great in this picture? Hello, Suzy we look great!



Grandma and Grandpa SUAZO




Grandma and Grandpa MORTIMER



Our Family

ZOO

Uncle Nate and Aunt Carrie had their annual zoo trip and we joined them! It was so fun! Franklin got to feed this peacock out of his hand, which he thought was amazing.


We saw every animal imaginable and Franklin was in heaven. I love being able to experience new things with my kids.



Uncle Joseph came too!

Our lives Lately

Frank went into his room and came out looking like THIS! LOVE!


I hit my 6 weeks! So we started walking in the mornings! It's cold but frank loves it. Isn't his hat amazing? Aunt McKell made it for us and Addy has a matching one, so CUTE!



I don't think a meal passes without some of the food ending up in Franklin's hair. When he gets tired he rubs his head so naturally the food goes right to his head and the wall and his high chair and the fridge across the room. YIKES

FHE

We actually had FHE!! We decorated sugar cookies and Frank thought it was awesome. Even better then decorating of course is EATING! This frosting face is so lovable!

Traditions

I LOVE traditions! I have created some with our new little family and driving up the Alpine Loop when the leaves are changing is one of my favorites! Frank loved getting outside but couldn't stay outside very long cause he had spilled water all over himself and it was COLD outside. I have had this tradition for years before with my friends but it was super fun to share it with my family.

Jealousy

Frank took a little while to warm up to the baby as you can imagine. Luckily he hasn't tried to hurt her just yet. He just wants EVERYTHING she has. I laid Addy down on a blanket and when Frank saw that he just had to be wrapped in a blanket too. He went to his room and got me a blanket, then laid himself on the floor and waited for me to do my job!

ha
Like I said he really wants to have everything she does! He calls these his "boats"


This is just sweet.

UMMMMM

"UMMM, Franklin, that's Mommy's, never mind you look great!"

Addy

Frank was NOT in love with this whole "new baby" stuff. However, I was able to get this picture of my TWO kids! TWO YIKES! It was such a beautiful day and I was so happy to not be pregnant anymore!

Jake and his Little Princess

P.S. check out my husband awesomely strong arm in this picture....HOOOTTT! Did I mention that not being pregnant has really made my husband A LOT more attractive to me! LOVE HIM!

A little late....Our Little Princess

September 1st I was induced and we met our beautiful baby girl. It was a pretty easy labor so that was nice. Here are some pictures of her at about 6 days old. She is the sweetest baby and sleep like a champ! Loving our little family!

Franklins first official BOOBOO and truly BAD/whitetrash parenting.

It happened! Franklin was playing with a frame on a table and it fell and caught his finger in between the frame and the table. This resulted in a BAD BOO BOO! I of course freaked out inside but was calm on the outside, Thank you, for your applause! It was masterful acting on my part! Now comes the part of the story I am awfully embarrassed about....upon looking for bandaids Jake and I realized that we were not good parents and had NO bandaids. Truth is we had just never needed them and therefore didn't even notice we were such bad parents. Jake was very inventive and constructed this beautiful make shift bandage out of toilet paper and tape.
Awesome...that is the part where our parenting went from bad to WHITE TRASH. Hooray for problems and an even bigger hooray for solutions in a pinch.

Mort Family Reunion

Here is Jake sporting our family T-shirts. It was sport themed so we were the referees!

This year my family was in charge of the Mortimer Family Reunion. Now for anyone who doesn't know this family reunion is not your average family reunion. I have 71 first cousins (my mom will probably comment with a more accurate number:) and they all have multiple children, in fact, I think my little Addy was the 165th great grandchild born. So as you can tell this reunion is HUGE and it is also taken VERY seriously! There are games, raffles, mingling and eating. It has been judged by the elders (My Uncles and Aunts) That this reunion has to be at least 2 nights and 3 days. So this year was my families turn to be in charge and make it THE BEST REUNION EVER! If you also don't know my immediate family love to plan parties and we take pride in being AWESOME at it. So the verdict....the reunion was AWESOME! We had Mortimer money issued for cleaning or participating in activities that could then be used at the family concessions. Hello, we had a popcorn maker and snow cones!

Franklin wanted nothing to do with anyone or anything that wasn't in the sand box. I think he spent the entire 3 days in there. I pushed through even though I was 8 months pregnant and we all had a great time. This was also the last reunion my Grandma Mortimer was at. She passed away in aug. She was an incredible woman and an amazing example to her family.

Day at the Museum

With Jake being in school it isn't very often that we get to go and do fun stuff as a family. However this day was a special day. This day we got to go to the museum at Thanksgiving Point, it was awesome. Aunt Suzy and Aunt Mckell and all the Cousins came too which made it even better! We watched a reptile show upstairs and were lucky enough to watch the giant snake PEE all over the guy doing the show. Frank hadn't found his love for dinosaurs yet but he loved being with all the cousins and loved playing in the sand.

My Jake Ben

I love this man. I was reading Stephanie Clarks blog and felt so inspired by a post abut her husband. It was so sweet. I feel that way about Jake all the time. I love him so much sometimes I feel dizzy. One of my favorite things in this world is to snuggle next to him and just be near him. Did I mention he cleans, cause he does, all the time. Especially with me being pregnant, he has just picked up my slack. Jake remember the day we decided to get married. We were sitting on the couch in Ashley and I's apartment and you looked at me and told me you wanted to marry me, and we cried and we hugged and we kissed and we made out :)How about the day you proposed in the park. We were alone on a blanket and you kneeled down and everything. Remember when I cry for no reason and you try to make me laugh. Remember the day we were married and how handsome you looked. Remember the greatest day of my life? The day we were sealed to each other! It was my Birthday, I've never felt power like I did that day. When Heavenly Father made us a family forever. Remember looking at Franklin for the first time and just falling in love with him. Thank you for making me a mom and giving me such an incredible boy! Thank you for our baby girl who is almost here. You always make me feel safe, you always make me feel beautiful. You are so creative and talented and awesomly good looking. It has been a pleasure being your wife for the past 2 years and I am looking forward to our eternity. Thank you for being MY JAKE BEN!

FLASHBIZZLE!

Just wanted you to know this is a very different post! Not exactly a flashback. More like a flash present, so it pops! Flashbizzle......ouch my eyes! Get it?



Now who doesn't love a good AM parade? I know I love em! Love em so much I cry when the veterans pass by and I sing with the fight song as Orem High represents! I also yell out at the state government people that I am "Doyle's Daughter" sadly for my dad, the people actually know who I am talking about. Example: Orem Night Parade year 2000 and something. Governor Mike Leavitt rides by in a very nice vehicle and smiles and waves I yell, "Mike, Mike, Doyle's daughter." Governor Leavitt nodes and then gives me a little worm point salute. It was like he was going to tickle the sides of a small child but it was just pointed at me, needless to say it did make me giggle and even tickled. Isn't that weird when you can tickle someone and not even be touching them....sorry off subject! PARADES, God Bless America and our ability to turn any holiday into a 2 hour advertisment for anyone willing to pay an entree fee!

FLASHBACKS!

This post is called flashbacks because I want to feel good about myself! You see in true JULIE fashion I actually lost my little camera for awhile and then when I found it, I didn't know how to use it. Now that I do I feel it important for myself, my children and all of my very loyal readers! To flash back to some very important parts of Franklin's little life!
I.E. The FIRST BIRTHDAY


The CAKE I made him! I know what your thinking and YES, it was delicious!


Watching him dig into the cake was everything you could hope for as a mother!

Bad Mom? Good Mom?

When I was a kid I used to think, "When I'm a mom, I'm gonna let my kids do whatever they want. Watch whatever they want on T.V. Wear whatever they want and eat junk food all day long." To my 7 year old self this indeed sounded like the perfect Mom! Today I found myself actually being "That MOM" and it wasn't as much fun as I once believed it to be! In fact I think it brought on some guilt! However guilty I felt about this mom moment I was not to proud to post some very awesome photos!
This is Frank! Today while I was facebooking and being rather unproductive I let Franklin watch his very favorite T.V. show, Yo Gabba Gabba!

I was however unaware that sitting next to him was this lovely bag of chips. Cute part of the story, Franklin actually asked if he could have them. He said, "Mom mom, dis?" His cutness won me over and I became to Cool MOM! "Yeah sure you can have those chips! Forget the fact that it's 9:30 in the morning and your only in a diaper! Sure my love eat away. Ok now tell mom, Do you love me more?"

So listen up all you! I'm sure there were plenty of "No Nos" in our little adventure this morning but for one second I got to live our a 7 year olds fantasies and doesn't Frank look really really CUTE!

This Never Happens!

Look at this baby! He came right up and watched TV with my like this for probably an hour. I miss his new born cuddling all ready. I have to cherish moments like this cause they are fewer and farther between. He is so independent, I can't get him to sit still let alone spend some special mommy and me time. I am so blessed and happy to be this kids Mom!

Should I be Jealous?

This DIno has so much to offer! Jake and I had to go to Vernal for a Thrillionaire's remote show. It was fun to spend the day together. Luckily, right in that little town is a place where all of Jake's dreams can come true. You see there are few things that make Jake as excited as dinosaurs! He can't get enough! He watches documentaries and talks about them and has a favorite one. I love to tease him and tell him that they aren't real. He hates it and it the only tool I have to tease with, he teases me all the time. Frank loved the museum too and we all had fun on the east side of the state!

Confused? It's ME! I'm sure you thought it was some kind of under cover detective but it's really just me. This beautiful DISGUISE was purchased out of a 25 cent machine. There was actually a machine labeled disguises. The scary part was that some of the mustaches were PINK? Who are you trying to fool? Luckily mine looks very real and make me look smart!

My Whole Life in One Post!

I'm graduating! In one week! Reality is setting in, I am about to be done with UVU for a long time. I don't think it really had hit me how big this day really was until my sister Anna pointed out that I had completed, hair school, my bachelors and had one baby and one on the way! Her pointing that out helped me to feel so accomplished. The most interesting part of this story to me is that even with finishing both of my degrees I am more than happy to be a stay at home mom. I have no doubt that I will do something with my degrees. I loved school and working, I just want to devote as much attention to myself as to my kids. I also think that for me my degrees have made me a better mom. I learned so much during college. I am happy to be done, sad to be a grownup and even more happy to embrace being an adult! Here we go, baby number 2 my family is one the road to something...

And the Oscar Goes TO!

Lisa Clark for the best commentary! Last night was the annual Clark's Oscar Party and it was awesome! I can't say I actually ever watched the Oscars before last year when I got my first invitation to the party but now I even listen to the speech's, unless they are people we don't know! So even though Monique's speech was awkward and out of place and Sandra Bullock was posed and natural on stage the highlight was truly LISA CLARK! I know this is the second post about the almost famous Lisa Clark but to me she is really really famous. It should be known that I am rarely the person to SHHHs people and I actually enjoy talking during some movies or T.V. shows. This was one of those cases! There was just so much to be commented on this year. THe ridiculously thin woman sitting next to James Cameron, who according to Lisa is the woman that had an affair with James while working on Titanic together. They were also seated just behind James's ex wife who he was married to when said affair happened. *James and his ex wife were both nominated for best director! His EX won!! Lisa and I spent five minutes discussing the fact that even if you have anorexia you should still paint you face a little. This woman looked moments away from her death bed. I not sure I could re play the entire night but I know I feel a little bit more in love with Lisa. She is so positive and loves to make people laugh. I appreciate genuine friends, who make you feel good about yourself and your job of choice! Thanks so much Clark's for having us over and letting my salad be the hit of the party! P.S. Chris spent the evening pausing the show to point out who is gay or lesbian! He really opened my eyes Hollywood is just about 99 % gay!

Inspired!

HEY I DID IT! Thanks Katie! READ THIS Lisa's blog! She is brilliant and also an english teacher so she has great GRAMMAR skills. Something I completly lack. I was reading her blog today and was so inspired by what she wrote. It was about motherhood and how she longs to be famous. It was silly and wonderful. I made a comment I wanted to share on my blog.
*MY COMMENT*
I think this was the most poetic peice of literature I have ever read! I felt deeply the things you were saying and giggled at the complexity of the ultimatly self less decision that is MOTHER HOOD! I love it so entirely but have a hard time finding myself and most importanly, my famous self! I want to feel famous to most people including my kids. I remember my mom used to wear HAT! RED HATS! I thought she was so beautiful and classy. I hope my kids appreciate my baggy tops and ill fitted jeans! I hope they think I'm classy! Thanks Lisa for writing this it TRULY made my day!

I always find balancing my self as a human and myself as a mom so difficult. I've only been a mom for a short time but I am struggling to find an identity that runs along side my intense want to be an AMAZING MOM! I want to be the mom that did it all and kept her kids active and engaged. I also want to be a clever and bold person. I want to have my own wants and needs so that my kids see me happy and engaged in life. So here I am hoping to be THAT WOMAN!

ACTF

Many of you probably have no idea what ACTF even is but if you were an actor in College you would know that it is a big deal! ACTF stands for American College Theater Festival and that is what it is a theater festival filled with auditions, workshops, plays and competition. There is one competition for acting that is the BIG DEAL of the festival it's called the Irene Ryan competition. It is a scholarship competition. You have to be in a show in your school and you have to be nominated to even compete. So Jake and I were Nominated I was nominated for my part in Much Ado About Nothing and Jake was Nominated for his part in Chess. This was such a huge deal! Jake and I started preparing months in advance (I didn't have quite as much time cause I didn't even know I was nominated until Dec.) You have to prepare two scenes so you have a Scene partner. I chose my friend Carrie Joslin who is super great and did an amazing job. Jake ended up choosing Carrie too so we were all one big happy family. So you prepare two scenes and one monologue. Then we headed down to Dixie College where it was this year. There were schools there from California and Arizona and Nevada and Utah, it's the regionals. Tuesday we competed there were 300 people competing. We did our first scene and Jake was amazing! I felt good about my performance and had a lot of strangers complement me so that was good but I didn't move on HOWEVER JAKE IT Semifinals from 300 to 32 and Jake was one of them. He and Carrie then performed their first scene and then their second scene. HELLO they made it to finals. UVU has only had two students make it to finals before ever this year there were TWO in the finals and my MAN was one of them. So on Saturday the finals got started Jake and Carrie re performed their two scenes and then Jake did his monologue! I swear he was so amazing! I'm not biased! He was for sure in the top 5 but didn't win. So out if 300 actors in our region Jake is top 5 SO GREAT!! I am so proud of my husband he did amazing and even though I wish I had moved on and gotten to do my second scene I am so happy he was given the opportunity to show everyone else what I always knew THAT HE IS AN INCREDIBLE ACTOR! Also a really great MAN!
SAD NEWS, I had to leave my baby with my mom for a whole week. In the beginning I was feeling really good, free and breezy! I want to go to everything cause I could if I wanted to no baby to worry about! By the end of the week I was a wreck. You would have to ask my mom but I think I cried over the phone like 5 times HE CAN"T EVEN TALK! He would wave to me when I said goodbye and it just broke my heart! I am so happy to be home and be with Frank again! This is where I should be, this is who I should be! I LOVE YOU JAKE AND FRANK!

My baby isn't a baby anymore!

Franklin just turned 1!!! It's was so weird and fun to celebrate his birthday. We got him some new outfits and then went over to my mom's house for his birthday party. I made him a birthday cake with whip cream frosting and fresh strawberries on the top. He ate the strawberries on top first then dug right in. All the kids her chanting "eat it, eat it, eat it" and Franklin started dancing to their chant it was super cute!
I got a great idea from Suzy to post some things Frank loves right now.
He loves bath time (we normally give him showers so when he gets to take a bath he doesn't want to get out!)
he loves loves Yo Gabba Gabba
he loves WALKING everywhere
he loves to giggle
he loves to dance
he loves grapes
he loves to hug his mommy and daddy
he loves to talk on the phone
he loves to be a big boy

In fact I must share this story, sorry if it's too much information but that's me and if your reading this blog you should know that! I have finished nursing Frank which was a little bitter sweet. About a week after we stopped I thought I was going to DIE my boobs were killing me! TOO MUCH MILK. My sister Anna came over and I was like, "I just need him to nurse just a little bit, to take the pressure off." She gave me the thumbs up so which somehow made me feel like it was ok! So I get ready to nurse him and I lay him down and he looks right at my boob and back up at my face and you guys he laughed!!! Not just a laugh but a really awkward laugh that seemed to say, "Um mom this is weird, we don't do this anymore." "Awkward mom, I'm not suppose to see these anymore, what exactly are you expecting?" Ashley and I both started laugh and honestly it made me feel weird. I felt like I had done something wrong ha ha it was hilarious. Don't worry he ended up nursing just enough and it was all good!

I love me little sweet boy! He has been such a joy in my life. It has been hard but so worth it. I love that when he gets hurt or sad he wants to hug his mom and that he loves to laugh. He loves being silly and making noises that make Dad and I laugh. He is so delightful, we have people tell us all the time that he is just the easiest baby! He is handsome and well mannered. He is just My Franklin and I love him from the top to the bottom!! Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing me with what you knew I could handle THE PERFECT CHILD! Thank you Franklin for being the perfect CHILD!