Lessons Learned

I like pictures. I like to take pictures. I like to look at pictures. It's kind of a big part of who I am. I am sensitive, emotional, and in love with memories. It's my hobby of sorts.

However, this last month I've learned some big lessons. A few of you know that as I was uploading some client's photos last month my hard drive crashed. Not just a little crash. A BIG crash. The kind where the folder with a question mark shows up on the grey screen. And all you hear is a clicking noise..... that doesn't stop.

Ugh. Last time we backed up the computer? Before the move. Meaning 4 months ago.

I was hopeful when a couple professional companies offered some help. Sure, it would maybe cost us $1400, but honestly, it would have been worth it to me.

Two send-out companies later, and nothing. Completely un-recoverable. The plate had been destroyed by the pin... or something. That's what the clicking was.

Well, I thought, at least I have photos up thru May? Not really. You see, when we plugged in our backup drive- we found that it had backed up everything on the computer except for iphoto. It was completely missing. After research, we found that apparently iphoto must be closed in order for it to be backed up. Our iphoto was almost always open. NO BACKUP.

In other words: We lost two years worth of photos and videos.

The good news? Fortunately, I had made a few folders here and there outside of iphoto that held some of my favorites for other purposes- ie. 1st year book, give to grandparents, facebook and blogging. So we do have a small fraction, if only low resolution, of the pictures from the last couple years.

Sigh.

It hurts to think about all the photos and videos of the everyday life we've enjoyed, and funny memories that we didn't backup anywhere else. I also had been organizing Stephen's and my childhood photobooks and Stephen's mission book. I'll be starting over next month. I am currently trying to scavenge anything from family's computers, blogs, fb, and the like.

I'm done crying about it though. I actually feel really lucky to have what we do.

And of course, we have Jacob. That's more than enough. His joy keeps giving to us daily and I don't need every single photo to remind me how much I adore him and how much I love being a mom.

There are a few lessons learned from this experience...

First, simplify! I was taking and holding onto way too many pictures and videos to begin with. None of our future children would have ever been able to match the number. And only so many pictures fit into a scrapbook anyhow.

Second. Be smarter than the technology. We should've checked ages ago if the back up's were actually working. We should've backed up more often. We should've paid the extra $100 to have it be more reliable. Now we are going with the online backups.

Lastly, but most importantly- I need to be better about living in the moment and appreciating it more fully. I admit sometimes I am enjoying watching Jacob learn something or experience something amazing and I stress about getting the picture of it, rather than taking in the magic myself. There are some really great examples of this in my circle of friends and family. So, thank you for showing me what's most important.

I doubt anyone really read this whole thing. And that's fine. Because I ramble. I just wanted to record this for my own "history."

And since a blog post is boring without photos, here's a couple recent randoms...

He loves this Elmo hat.

He is such a ham.

Seattle Part 2

Just a few more photos from our Seattle Trip...

We loved being in a big city again, if only for a couple days.

Jacob and I had a fabulous date at the Kids Museum while stephen was in his class.

So great to see this kid...

It was fun to see the sights, and experience the smells and tastes of downtown

and Pike Street's market place.

The ferry ride was beautiful. It was such fun seeing how this little guy enjoyed it, too.

Shhhh, don't tell anyone. But on the way home, Stephen said,

"So, what if we move to Seattle someday?"

And I think he was serious.

Perhaps we'll be back.

Seattle Part 1

Last weekend I got to visit Seattle for the first time. Stephen took an Invisalign course for a day and Jacob and I just got to play. The weather was perfect. Not a cloud in the sky. The city was amazingly beautiful and of course I took a load of pictures. So, to help me not take up too much space with individual pics, I've taken it upon myself to learn how to do storyboards in photoshop. It's just too hard for me to narrow down pictures when a toddler has too many "moments" that I just love.

Here is one of my first creations...

I'm excited to learn more.

And that means you might have to see a lot more pictures coming pretty soon.

In the Backyard

We are sooo grateful to have a backyard. And even though today my child filled a bucket with sand, brought it into the dining room, and dumped it out all over the carpet, I am still very very grateful.

We want to send a very special thank you to Grandma Karrie and Grandpa Jim Wood for the fabulous sandbox and slide. It has made for a great summer!

(And can you read Jacob's special message for you?)

We surely miss you- especially on Sundays right around 4:30pm.... or in Davis time, 5:15?

Tub Time

Ah, the nightly rituals. Love them.

I may be crazy, but sometimes I think these are the "photo shoots" that are going to matter the most when we grow old.

I need to remember all the joy in the daily grind.

And as crazy as toddlerhood is getting, this kid sure cracks me up.

Photo Stuff

Still working on getting my computer back together after our hard drive crashed with all my photos.  Lost a lot of stuff, but hoping someone can perform a miracle for us!  Didn't back it up since the big move.  

Laptops and toddlers just don't mix I think.  We need to be more careful.  

Anyway, I have lots of things I want to post and will eventually..... but in the meantime, feel free to check out our photoblog with a few more photos of people I love.  

P.S.  I have a few family and friend sessions lined up for my visits to So Cal and Utah in the next couple months, let me know if you are interested in a great offer! :)

Big Bully!

I don't get it. Why are some kids just so mean?

***

Yesterday I took Jacob on our usual walk to the park down the street. He brought along his 4 favorite cars, proudly wore his Tigger hat, and was happy as a clam.

We were busy just playing when a lady came up to us and asked us if we were mormon. (It's so funny how people just know. Hm.) Anyway, She and her four kids just moved here and I was so happy to meet another mom who would be going to our same ward.

While we were chatting it up, her bigger boys jumped onto the tot playground almost overrunning my little guy. But he was happy to have some playmates.... at first.

"Hey Dummy!" I heard the 7 year old boy say. What? You calling my kid a dummy??

He gets "scolded" by the mom.

A few minutes later. Jacob comes and tugs on my arm- still unable to express in words what the trouble is. I see the same kid has taken one of Jacob's cars and thrown it to the other side of the playground.

The kid gets "scolded" again. And I, trying to be polite, say it's ok and go get the car myself with Jacob on my hip.

I didn't want to just ditch the conversation, so I figure I'd let Jacob play a few more minutes while getting to know our new neighbor.

Then...cries. Cries of sadness and some of physical pain.

I was only a few feet away but had been turned a different direction. I see Jacob holding the side of his head with eyes staring at me- as if trying to say, "Ok. I'm done, Mom. I tried hard to play nice. But this big kid hurt me again."

When asked what happened, the 7 yr old says, "Well..... I accidentally hit him."

My blood really began to boil. I'm sure my face turned red as I tried to restrain myself.

Those motherly instincts of protection wanted to burst.

Again, trying to be polite as I knew I'd see this family again on Sunday, I hugged and kissed my boy, tried to help the other kid say he was "sorry" and packed him up in the stroller to head for home.

All I could do was say "Jacob, I'm so sorry. Some kids are just not nice! I am so sorry you got hurt."

I kinda wanted to cry myself.

A seven year old picking on my 21 month old? Come on.

I probably won't be calling this new neighbor to babysit anytime soon...

I know I have so many years ahead of me raising a boy. I'll want to protect him from any danger or hurt feelings. But also, I want to protect him from becoming a bully. I don't know how kids get to that point where they think any of that behavior is ok. I never understood it any of my teaching years and I know it won't change.

All I know is it breaks my heart.

***

Fortunately, MOST park trips have very happy endings...

We'll just take it a day at a time.