An Update on the Ordinary

Things have been pretty quiet and ordinary here in the McOmber home since we've been back from the Holidays. But I just thought I would give a little update on us:

Shad is back at school working hard at this FINAL semester. Last semester was a success, he did awesome and made the Deans List again! He is currently working on getting all registered to take the BAR exam in July (YIKES!), and is ready to be done with school FOREVER! He is always working hard. He has a job that has kept him pretty busy these past few weeks, as well as school. And I'm sure his upcoming law review project will be no exception. He of course, is a wonderful father and husband. Since he gets home after Owen is already in bed, he makes sure to take time out each morning to wake up with Owen and spend some daddy play time with him, while mom gets to SLEEP in! Love it!

I'm just enjoying the perks of being a stay at home mom! Me and Owen just get to hang out ALL day and play, play, play! He is hilarious and always keeps me going. I've also been trying to keep up with some goals I have set for myself this year, usually I am not one to do "New Year Resolutions", but with the more free time I have being at home I decided to do it. PLUS, it really helps me have something to look forward to, things to work at, and makes me feel like a more productive part of society! I've also been trying to be more outgoing and independent taking Owen out. With Owen's first year already over its time to be less of a hermit mom! Here are some of my New Year goals:

-Read 24 books this year (2 a month)

-Take a cooking class & Be better at making dinner!

-Read Scriptures everyday (something I am SO bad at!)

-Attend Temple more

-Watch less TV (Those first couple months with Owen at home got me in the bad habit of watching too much TV)

-Play my violin more (A goal I have already increased.... the ward finally found out I play and had me play on SUNDAY... it was terrifying! Im not sure if I will be willing to do it again.)

Owen is growing by the minute and is discovering the world around him! He is such a little Gibber-gabber! He talks all day long! It cracks me up! He is the joy of our life, and makes us smile everyday. Just right now he is sitting there talking away. His little personality is coming out full on and he is such a funny little boy! His first birthday is on Super Bowl SUNDAY this week and I am really trying to keep it together! I cannot believe its been a year! WHAT!? We are having a party on Saturday, in which many law school and ward friends are coming. And my parents! We are excited to celebrate!

Like I said, nothing too exciting, just the ordinary life of the McOmbers. But we like the ordinary! Life is good. :)

A blog post would not be complete without photos, here are some of Owen's recent favorite things:

Owen has always loved books and loves being read too! Here was a sweet moment I caught of my two boys:

Owen also loves looking out the window, this was yesterday morning. He looked so funny with his crazy morning hair. But he sure loves it!

He has his top teeth coming in... hilarious!

Owen also thinks its HILARIOUS to give me kiss attacks! He grabs my face and slobbers ALL over it. So funny.

This picture I took about 20 minutes ago, he was just talking and laughing with his bear buddy.

Family Pictures

Over Christmas break, we had our family pictures taken by one of our really good friends. He is so talented, and so nice to take our pictures for us! He had rented out some really NICE lenses to use and it made for a really nice effect. Lucky us to know someone so talented! (Thanks Jay!! You're awesome!)

Here are some (a lot) of our favorites:

It was FREEZING outside! And one of the few times Auburn has snow! But I was determined to get the outside shots!

Yes, I was COLD.

Shad and Owen were so cute in their matching sweaters! I love that we found this one for Owen!

We also happened to taken these pics the DAY of my parents 27th anniversary! They are such wonderful parents and grandparents!

Our handsome boy:

The five of us.

Who Says BOY Clothes Aren't Cute??

Seriously... look at my adorable baby boy in his new church suit! Such a stud!

Also... Owen has finally mastered CRAWLING!! He is now into everything!

Some Thoughts on the New Year...

With the New Year in FULL force now, it always seems like such a great time to reflect on all the good things in life, and a time to look forward to the future! With the past few weeks and the Holiday season I have been thinking a lot about gratitude lately, and I really have been pondering the wonderful things in my life. Everyday its seems I have something new to be grateful for! From the country I live in to my wonderful family to the food on my plate. Shad and I are so blessed! I have such a beautiful life! My perfect, healthy baby boy who is the joy of my life, and a hard-working supportive husband who loves me. Phew, the list can go on and on! On Sunday when I teach my girls (the Laurels ages 16-18) I often talk about gratitude and the importance of looking at the good. Its just so easy to get caught up in the selfish attitude, and only concentrate on what's going wrong from day to day. Shad and I have our daily struggles, all the time... but then when I really step back and take a look at all I have been given, it makes me feel small, humbled by everything around me. How did I get so lucky?

It's been fun to think about our future. Shad and I have been reflecting a little bit on our time here Spokane. The lifetime friendships we've made, the terrible winters we've suffered through, and the way our family has become stronger. In some ways it has FLOWN by, and I'm sure we will look back and remember the "law school years" as some of the best. I mean, last year brought us Owen and turned my life upside down! I still cannot talk about his fast approaching 1st birthday! (Please make time stop!) It's amazing to think of what this new year will bring us: Shad graduates LAW SCHOOL, oh man, we have sure been waiting for this! I am so PROUD of him and everything he has accomplished. He has truly proven to me that if you put your mind, soul, and effort into something you can truly CONQUER it. And who knows where we will be this time next year! What an exciting time in the McOmber home! (Lets just pray that Shad can find a job!...and pass the BAR exam!) 2011....bring it on.

Our Christmas Vacation

We had a wonderfully long vacation! It was great! We flew over to Auburn for almost two weeks. This was the first long Christmas vacation we have ever had in our six Christmas' together. Shad or I have ALWAYS had to work on or right around Christmas, and although we have always been blessed to have jobs, being home for BOTH Christmas and New Years was so nice. Especially for Owen's first Christmas! Plus it was a welled deserved break for Shad after killer finals and semester! Owen loved every second of all the attention from the grandparents. He was spoiled rotten by all with gifts and attention! And having free and willing babysitters around was fantastic! He sure is a grandma's boy! Now its back to LOTS of snow and cold, reality, work, then back to school for Shad's final semester!! Only 4 MONTHS left until Graduation!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is our vacation in pictures, be prepared there are A LOT:

Owen LOVED looking out the window on the plane. There was no chance getting him to nap! Luckily, its only a 45 min flight:

I thought this was a funny candid of us on Christmas Eve:

Us with my parents, the traditional family photo before gifts:

Excited for presents! He's so cute!

Owen with his MOUND of gifts! So spoiled:

His favorite present was a book from mommy and daddy, he did not let this thing go the whole time while opening gifts! He was so excited about it!

Owen wasn't the only one spoiled; Santa was also very good to Shad and I! My parents got me a hot flash studio lighting umbrella/soft box kit! AWESOME!

After opening presents on Christmas Eve we headed over to our best friends, the Lomeli's home, for a wonderful dinner, followed by a nice Christmas devotional, and more gifts!

Owen was the center of attention! He recently learned how to give kisses, he likes the pretty girls:

Owen LOVES grandma! On Christmas Day my mom made an AMAZING dinner for lots of friends to join us! (This picture was taken with my new flash kit... I know its a little over exposed. I have no idea how to use it...YET!)

It also snowed while we there, which is kind of a rarity in Auburn! It was very pretty. And icy! At least it was only an inch or two. Sadly, we came home to Spokane to TONS of snow on the ground! :(

One of the highlights of the trip is we got to visit with our dear friends the Brooksby's! They moved to Tennessee, so it's really a treat to see them!

They have such a sweet little girl, who is only two weeks older than Owen! Jay, was kind enough to also take our family pictures while we were there! Can't wait to see them!!!!

We also got to visit with Shad's sister, Heidi, and her family! Owen enjoyed the time with Aunt Heidi and her three girls! (He was a little bit afraid of Uncle Steven!) We also got to ring in the New Year with them! So fun!

Another highlight was how much time I got to spend with my best friend Kambria. We spent almost everyday together on this trip! Love her! Shad and I went out on a double date with her and her NEW fiance to downtown Seattle. It was so fun, and great to get out!

Yeah... we're best friends:

The two lovebirds; we are so excited for them!

I told you there were a lot of pictures! Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Years! We sure are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family to spend it with!