Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day! I know its late but I didn't want to post yesterday. It was a great day! :) We woke up and played with Noah. He is such a happy baby in the mornings. Well he is pretty much a happy baby all the time but especially in the mornings. He crawls all over the bed and squeals and grabs at our faces, gives kisses and hugs. We just love him.

So after playing for awhile I went down stairs and made a lovely breakfast for our Hero of the day. Noah played on the floor with goldfish crackers and Sean sat and watched us. I normally suck at making pancakes but I'm getting better. These ones turned out pretty great. We had pancakes, sliced fried turkey, eggs and potatoes. It was a feast. Then we just lounged around til church time. After church we went to my parents house for festivities. On the way Sean called his dad to say happy fathers day to him too. I like his dad. He is a funny guy. I see where Sean gets his sense of humor from. All the Howell boys have that same quirky humor.  At my parents house my dad grilled up some delicious hamburgers with all the fixings. They put on a movie, John Carter. It was stupid. Some guy went to mars and fell for a girl and had to help in a war. Not my kind of movie. I played with Noah and read a book instead. (reading the book Wicked, after the Broadway play) Sean said he didn't really like it very much either. We brought our friend Alex to my parents as well. We just watched the movie and chatted. Pretty chill night.

Sean said he enjoyed the day very much :) Noah and I are so blessed to have him. He is an amazing Husband and Father. I am glad he is the head of our house and leads us in the right direction. I am so grateful for the pleasure of raising a family with him. Have I told you lately how in love with this man I am? Well just in case you missed it, I LOVE HIM <---------------------------------------------------> This much times like a gazillion.

My PAPA
He is the greatest! I have have learned so much from his example. He is always a missionary. He isn't afraid to talk to anyone. He is kind, and loving. I love how much he loves people. Especially my mother. If you want to be a great father show your kids how to love by loving their mother. Us kids definitely learned how to love perfectly because of my dad's love for my mom. He is a hard worker with the highest work ethic. I have never known a man to work harder than my dad. He has been a wonderful provider for my family. I am a better person having him to guide me. I am so grateful for all the great men in my life. I'm grateful for Sean's dad and the way he brought up Sean. I just love that we have days like these to honor and give thanks to the important people in our lives.

I think I skipped blogging about mothers day now that I think of it. It was a great day too. haha months ago but hey oh well. I will just take a few lines to write about it. We went to church with my family then went to Sean's moms house for dinner. It was a nice day. Sean and Noah were so loving and made me feel important and blessed. I am grateful for my mother. She is the strongest person I have ever known. She has been through some intense trials I can't even imagine going through. Yet there she is a beacon of happiness and a testimony that the atonement is real and works. She loves the gospel. She has unconditional love for her family. No matter what we do she is there for us. She has taught me how to be a mother. I am grateful for Sean's mom too. She has taught him to be strong in the gospel and how to be a responsible person. She loves and guides her family.
I am a pretty lucky gal to be surrounded by so many amazing people!

Run or Bust

I hate running. Raise your hand if you hate running ^ this is me raising my hand. I'm not very good at the breathing while you feel your heart beating out of your chest thing that running requires. You know who likes running? ^ This is Sean raising his hand. I guess he likes not breathing. . Or maybe he has figured out the breathing issue. Probably the latter. I need to figure that out cuz guess what? I'm taking up a new hobby. Drum roll please======= RUNNING!

Now you may be asking "Why does Deana want to torture herself with a hobby she doesn't enjoy. Does she not have hobbies?" Good question you. Well I do indeed have hobbies I already enjoy. I love being a mom and playing with Noah bug. I love to read, whether it be scriptures, blogs, non fiction, fiction. Its all good to me. I actually read pretty often. I enjoy blogging/journaling as well. Another hobby is being an awesome wife to my awesome husband. Yes this counts as a hobby. It requires attention and is quite enjoyable.  I quite enjoy doing massage, I know this is my second job but its also a hobby. I love taking courses on different modalities and learning new things to do with my profession. With all these other hobbies taking up my time, why do I need another one? There is actually a couple reasons for this insanity. Here they are:

• I want to be fit and healthy.  
• I want to challenge myself. I have a full-time job that isn't very challenging. Its an office job where I mostly sit all day. I need something to challenge me and give me something to work at.

• I want to share a hobby with my hubby. I think its so cute when I see couples out walking or running together. Add a baby in a stroller or toddler on a bike and its even more precious. A family that works out together is healthy together and lives longer. Its true.

• I want cool accessories. Who doesn't love a good accessory. Running has some fun ones too. Shoes, clothing, apps, water bottles. I may not like the running yet but oh I do love me the accessories. I will do almost anything if it means I get a new outfit!

• I know its something that I can end up loving. Sean says that running is mostly mental. Yes its hard physically but mostly its getting past that voice in your head saying "kay I'm done, this makes me tired and my chest hurts." When you go past that thought you break through the barrier and your mind just lets go. You have a clear mind and can just focus on the run. I want that. It sounds so peaceful.

I sure hope I get to that point. This is what I feel like after running right now. 

Now I just have to push myself and do it. I made a deal with Jessica that I would run everyday for 2 months! What a goal for someone first starting out right? Go big or go home. She said that if I accomplish it the she will buy me running shoes (accessories!). She doesn't think I'm going to be able to do it. Such faith in her best friend huh? haha Its for good reason though. This isn't my first flirtation with running. We have dated before and broken up many times. I start and then get cold feet and stop. This time is going to be different though. I am committed. Running is going to be in my life. This deal with Jess is extra motivation for me to succeed. Maybe thats her plan? Tell me I can't do it so I want it even more to prove something? Or she just doesn't think I can. haha Either way its motivation so its good. Today is the first day of the challenge. Wish me luck, better yet, wish my poor untrained body luck.

Justin Beiber

The party was a great success! Tons of people showed up and brought yummy food. It was pretty awesome for such short planning. Who is a great party planner? Thats right, this girl :) haha Had to give myself props for this one. With only 3 days notice we had a really good turn out and organization. Hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey burgers, chips and other yumminess. Sean was so happy to see all the people he loves. Of course having the babies all play together was fun to see as always. They are all growing up so fast.Watching Noah play with Wesley and Belle and Spencer was so adorable.  I wish we got some pictures. Sadly we only got one of Sean and his epic cake.

 Kirby got the cake just minutes before the party and all that was there was either little mermaid or this wonderful Justin Beiber cake. haha. So perfect for just a manly man right?

We all just hung out talking eating and watching the cute babies. Its nice when we can all get together and catch up. We have such busy lives with work, school and family and church responsibilities. It's lovely to have a night of just chilaxing.Thanks everyone that came out and Tim and Adriana for offering up their house for the shindig.

Baby Idol

Hey Friends!,
So I entered Noah into a radio contest for cutest baby. The website for voting is mix969.com
Keyword: Baby Idol. Please vote for my Noah bug. He is in gallery 5 baby ID: 121
The winner gets $2000! We could really use the money for Sean's grad school application fees and other school expenses. Of course we would spoil Noah with the winnings too since its his cute face that would be the winner. Please go vote everyday if you can. Spread the word. Noah should be baby idol. You know he is the cutest! :) Thanks a billion. Love ya

30 is a big number

Sean is now 30 years old! I can't believe he has made it this long! haha I love making old jokes to him. Its our little thing. I'm only 5 years younger than him but he gets a kick out of the jokes that he is such an old man and I'm his hot young wife. haha It's silly. He isn't too big on birthdays. He loves doing things for me and he is excited to have a party for Noah for his birthdays but when it comes to his, he just doesn't care. He said he stopped caring about birthdays when he was 16ish. Just decided they weren't a big deal. He often forgot his birthday. But since I like to make a big deal of them this is hard for me to be ok with. Yesterday was his 30th birthday and guess what we did? I got off early we met at the house and played with Noah. (that was a blast) Then we put him down for the night and we just hung out watching netfilx and being silly. Nothing special or out of the ordinary. Oh he did stop at Krispy Kreme and get a free dounut on his way home. That was it. He was totally happy with it too! Crazy right? I felt so bad that the only thing he got was a chill day at home with me and Noah and a doughnut. Also married rights... :) But he said he enjoyed his day. I just didn't get it. We were going to go feed the ducks but it was just too dang hot outside. Sean really wanted to do it so we are postponing it til its a little cooler... like 80 instead of 110! Maybe next week. He said Noah would get a kick out of it and he wanted to see his reaction. Such a sweet daddy thinking of Noah :) I love my boys.

Thinking about it now I finally understand. He is just happy to be with the people he loves. I have a simple husband. (not simple minded, he is a genius.) He is easily made happy. This is a good thing. He doesn't need gifts or parties or big dinners. We had soup for dinner last night because thats what he wanted. He just needs love and a good cuddle from his baby man and hot wife. I on the other hand enjoy parties and nice dinners. He knows this so thats what he does. He enjoys simple nights at home so thats what we did.

All that said, that doesn't mean we aren't going to still have a party! haha His friend Tim sent me a text today asking if we could have a party for Sean at his house this Friday. As previously stated, I LOVE PARTIES! So I said of course. I think Tim wanted to show off his newly decorated house but also, and mostly he and his wife Adriana love Sean and want to celebrate his huge birthday. 30 is kind of a big deal! Half way to a senior citizen! So far its just a couple friends and we are going to do a potluck. Should be pretty rockin' though. I'll post about it later.

I'm so lucky to have Sean. He is the most caring, understanding, forgiving, insightful, freaking handsome, loving man I have ever known. He takes care of Noah so wonderfully and he is always here for me. I'm grateful he chose me to be with for eternity. I get to see him get older and older and love him more and more.

Steppin'

Noah is learning how to take steps. He is so big! I can't believe how awesome he is. He can't stand on his own but he loves to be held up by his hands. Also he pulls himself up on furniture. 

 Nice big steps. And even bigger smile :) 

We took Noah and Cortney to the mall play area. Pretty fun time. 

This was where he first started pulling himself up real well.  

I'm so cute! 

Penguin

Noah got his first hair cut! It was getting so long it was starting to fall flat instead of sticking up all fun like. The most amazing hair stylist ever did his hair. Andraya Detrich, she rocks! She is the talented girl that did my hair for our wedding and had done it many times before since I was 12yrs old. Ya she is awesome sauce. And Noah was so good for the cut. He was staring at the all the things on the wall in the room. Such a cutie. Sean held him in his lap so he would feel save. 

 Aren't my boys just the sweetest, most handsome ever!? I know, its true. They are! 

 He got a cute little cape with penguins. He looked adorable in it. 

 I love that face. 

 He was not happy when she pulled out the clippers. It scared him. Poor guy. 

 Checking out his new do. 

Man my little guy is just growing so much! Its crazyness. Such a sweet boy. I love him.