Long time!!

Yes I know, its been almost two months since my last post. Our lives are kind of uneventful so I don't ever think to blog..

I have tried to take control of my life and my family. We were kind of floating from day to day there for a while. We are getting better at setting a routine and having more family time. Richard is getting more and more involved with Jackson. (men just don't have the intuition like us women do) They have so much fun together and Jackson is looking more and more like him every day.

Our days consist of waking up between 8 or 9. Eating breakfast (one thing we are trying to do as a family), play with toys, laundry, chores of some sort, errands, one or both of us going to work at all hours of the day, taking naps with jackson, tv, computer time, chasing after jackson in whatever he is up to, dinner (if we are home), bath time, relaxation and bed around 10 or 11. We have tried to reconnect with some friends to have some sort of a social life but it is hard when they don't have children. So we are content with our own little family and our own little world. Jackson however needs some interaction, he is kind of shy around other kids, 3 more months and he will be able to go to nursery, maybe that will help.

Work has its ups and downs. Anyone that has worked at The Olive Garden, can relate. I am trying to get into management, there is a leadership program I have to complete and that isn't even a quarantee. So until then, I just keep busting my butt and doing whatever I have to, to make sure I do get a spot. Richard only has 2 months left and he will be leaving in April for Alaska. I am sad but I know it is the right thing for us. This will be his last and final year. He is waivering between going back to the military or not. Pray for him that his mind will be at ease and he can make a decision.

As for Jackson, he is just a happy toddler. He brings happiness to our family like we have never known before. He is going in for his 15th month check up on the 22nd, I hope its all good.

ALASKA 2010

So we have decided to send Richard to Alaska for one more summer. Things have not moved as quickly as we planned and we need this money that he will make. I know what you all are thinking, I must be crazy but the Olive Garden isn't cutting it, we need something better. So for one more summer Richard is gonna go up to AK and work on the train. It will help us get ahead and hopefully by the time he gets back there will be some advancement for me at the OG and we won't have to worry about money so much. I am hoping for a managment position at the OG by next christmas. If it is the right thing for us, then the Lord will make it happen. As for now, I will be husbandless and lonely just like last year. You do what you got to do.

12 month stats!

Yeah its a little late but we did go to the doctor on Dec 22. Jackson weighed in at 25.7 lbs (88th percentile) and is 31 inches long (59th percentile). He's a little short for his weight but they weren't worried. He has dry skin but not dry enough to call it ezcema. It comes and goes with this Utah weather. He is right up to speed in all the milestones. He just isn't walking yet but he will be soon. He has his 8 front teeth with 3 molars coming in. He is very independent (like his mommy)

Some things Jackson can do:

He jabbers to anyone that will listen.
He can wave bye-bye
He can unzip just about anything
He can put his blocks away.
He feeds himself (been doing that for about 5 months now)
He can drink through a straw
He doesn't use his bottle anymore
He can say momma and dadda and YUM
He knows how to turn the channel on the cable box. LOL
He loves to dance
He climbs up and down the stairs all day long
Oh and he loves the toilet.

He really is a joy to our family and it is so fun just watching him learn and grow everyday.

So its been a long time..

For starters we are back in Utah. We moved here in July. Richard didn't get here until almost October. We both work at the Olive Garden. I am working my way to become a manager and Richard is a server. He will be starting school next fall after we become residents and get everything financially set. Jackson is such a fun little boy. He will be 1 year old in just 8 days. He keeps us very busy. He hasn't started walking yet but he can move like there is no tomorrow. He is jabbering and trying real hard to say some words. We started a week ago, putting him in his crib to put himself to sleep, it only took a week and he is a pro at it now. It is very comforting that he can do that by himself. Now Richard and I can get back to our relationship. Jackson loves going outside, sadly I just don't do it enough with him. He is such a joy to have in our home. Makes it all worth while, as I am sure all you parents agree.

We are doing well. Not alot goes on in the Dalton household. Just working and playing with Jackson. Some may say we are pretty boring but we enjoy it.

Family Pictures 2009

Our friend Paul took these for us and I absolutely love them. This was our first professional family shoot. I hope to make it a annual thing. It was fun for us, even though it was cold and windy, we still had a blast.

Just some pictures!!

Mom and Jackson at Scera park....

Jacksons first time on a slide, he thought it was hiliarious...as did I.

Jackson's first time in a pool. He loves the water.

Wow it has been forever

Sorry no pictures to post yet, not my computer. So for those of you who don't know, we have made our way back to good ole' Utah again. July 23 we packed up our trailer and car and hit the road for a 7 day road trip. With RIchard being in Alaska, mom and I did it ourselves. It was quite an excursion. We stopped in Texas to see my grandparents whom I have not seen since 1998. It was such a wonderful time to just sit around and visit with them. Who knows if I will ever get to see them again. WE did take 4 generation pictures so I will have to post them later. My grandpa loved Jackson. He kept calling him "the general" because his first name is jackson and middle name lee, both generals. He couldn't get enough of him and Jackson was just as fond of him.

We made it to Utah on June 30th and got to move into our home. It is a huge house. My mom and 3 brothers are living with us for the time being. BUt there is plenty of room. We have 4 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, 2 bathrooms, a huge room over the garage and a fireplace. :) I am just grateful to be in a home.

Richard is still in Alaska and will be home the end of september. I am working at the Olive Garden and still liking it. I am very grateful for a job that pays pretty well.

As for the love of my life, Jackson is 8 months old today. He has two teeth and is getting more real soon. He hasn't started crawling but scoots and creeps and rolls everywhere. He is very chatty, he makes all sorts of noises and when he is really tired it even sounds like he says "mama". He is getting so big. It makes me sad to think in 4 months he will be a year old. He is a very curious little man, he watches everything we do, and sometimes tries to mimic. He loves music and has learned how to shake his head no so he does it to the music. He is such a good boy in church. He never cries and if he does see another baby crying he just stares at them. He is all smiles and such an easy going baby. I am very lucky.

We are so thrilled to be in Utah, and I just can't wait for my husband to get home so he can fall in love with Utah just like me.