Adams ad nauseam

Breakfast

2012-02-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

Moments to Remember

2012-01-13T16:54:00.000-08:00

We recently captured some of our favorite bedtime moments with Jude. He is our little angel and we sure do love him!

Jude's Blanket

Jude and Quacks

Jude Loves Jesus

First Steps

2012-01-03T17:09:00.000-08:00

Those magical moments...

Christmas Present Preview

2011-12-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

The nice thing about having a 15 1/2 month old for Christmas is that the gifts aren't that expensive. Who needs toys when you can have just as much fun with a roll of toliet paper?

an empty egg carton

a paper towel roll

an old cereal box

and a travel mug

I am seriously thinking about wrapping these objects up and putting them under the tree. He might just like them better than everything else!!!

Christmas Cheer

2011-12-12T17:10:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to bring a little Christmas cheer to our home these last few weeks....I've baked cookies, put up the tree, and played some Christmas music. For family home evening last week we read the story of the Savior's birth to Jude and used Jude's nativity set to explain the story in very basic terms. He loves the baby Jesus from the set and carries the baby around the room. Tonight we watched "Joy to the World" for family home evening and Jude loved it! It is a beautiful DVD with wonderful music and a great way to quickly fill the home with the spirit.

Earlier today we bought this Santa hat but I couldn't get Jude or Aurora to look all that happy about it. Oh well! You can't win them all :)

On the Run

2011-12-08T21:12:00.001-08:00

A Hard Day

2011-12-07T23:49:00.000-08:00

Today was one of the hardest days I've had since being a wife and a mother. I don't really care to write about it or remember any of the details. It is a day I'd like to forget. Good-bye today. Looking forward to tomorrow.

On a walk

2011-12-06T04:17:00.000-08:00

We took advantage of the 70 degree weather and clear blue skies to go out for a walk. This past Saturday Jude started walking with his push toy. As he moves forward I cheer, "Go, Jude, Go!" He pauses, furrows his brow, and then shakes a little fist in the air while chanting, "Go! Go! Go!"

Waving bye-bye

15 months old

2011-12-01T18:54:00.001-08:00

One of his great loves...

...books

...and more books.

Snora decided to do a little light reading too. She was grossly disappointed to find out that Santa uses reindeer instead of puggles to pull his sleigh.

Jude's 15 month stats:
Weight - 21 lbs 15 oz
Height - 31"

Meeting Jackson

2011-11-27T18:32:00.000-08:00

What a delight to meet this darling little one during the Thanksgiving holiday. Welcome baby Jackson! We love you.

Down on the Farm

2011-11-25T18:05:00.000-08:00

Yup. That's us. I think this is definitely my color. ;)

The cookie monster.

Tractors and ATVs..what more could a toddler want?

Leaves, leaves everywhere.

Some Daddy love.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T17:52:00.000-08:00

Recommended Reading

2011-11-22T05:32:00.000-08:00

While I’m generally reticent to recommend any book that I didn’t write myself, this biography is a noteworthy exception. Richard Lyman Bushman’s Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling is a fascinating– and frequently edifying– examination of a modern prophet. Although I’m sure that Latter-day Saints will more readily empathize with Bushman’s observations on their faith than non-Mormons, I’m confident that readers of all stripes will find the narrative compelling.

As fate would have it, I began reading this book only a week after Marlin K. Jensen, an LDS General Authority of two decades and the current Church Historian, visited our stake (Durham, NC). During the adult session of stake conference, Elder Jensen said that he is often asked how he can have so much faith given what he knows about the “problems” in Church history. While he didn’t explicitly cite Alexander Pope’s dictum that “a little learning is a dangerous thing,” it was certainly the spirit of the counsel that he imparted. “Church history,” he said, is a “big jigsaw puzzle. If you want to put it together, start with the borders. And don’t study a little…study a lot.”

As I read Rough Stone Rolling, I found myself repeatedly reflecting on Jensen’s puzzle metaphor. Richard Bushman has masterfully performed the Herculean task of accumulating and assembling the anecdotes, conversations, and, most importantly, doctrines of the most preeminent (and controversial) figure in America’s religious history to create a wonderfully lucid biography. As Joseph famously said in the King Follett sermon, “no man knows my history.” We cannot perfectly know the mind of the Prophet, but Bushman’s trenchant observations provide us with a clearer picture than any other historian or commentator has to date.

Bushman’s prophet is not the virtual superman depicted by Truman G. Madsen in his celebrated “Joseph Smith lectures” delivered at BYU’s Marriott Center three decades ago. Madsen catalogued Joseph’s laudable traits without devoting much time to exploring their origins or considering his deficiencies. Bushman’s approach is more nuanced, showing us an imperfect, yet great, man whose character was largely shaped by the culture of his time, revelations he received, and trials he endured.

If there were any extraordinary aspects to Joseph’s personality, they were not readily manifest to those who knew him during his teenage years in Palmyra, New York in the 1820s. An unassuming boy, his most salient attributes were a love of his family and an earnest desire to know the path of salvation. Clearly, a naturally ambitious disposition did not provide the indefatigable zeal for gathering saints, preaching of Zion, and constructing temples. Rather, Joseph was impelled by the restorationist theology that he would begin developing ten years after his First Vision in 1820.

Rough Stone presents Joseph Smith’s two major flaws: an occasional temper when his authority was challenged (an attribute shared by George Washington) and a penchant for placing unwarranted levels of trust in other people. According to Bushman, both traits can be readily understood.

To the first, Joseph was a product of early 19th century America, where a man’s most valued asset was his honor (particularly amongst less affluent frontiersmen). As George Washington struggled to build and maintain a fragile Continental Army despite fearsome opposition, so Joseph labored to build Zion in the face of considerable editorial and political antagonism. In both military and ecclesiastical endeavors, a modicum of dissension could quickly metastasize into a death sentence for the organization.

If Joseph was quick to squelch apostasy, he was even faster to welcome disaffected members back into the flock. Case in point: In late 1838, William W. Phelps (publisher of Joseph’s revelations) was one of several men who bore witness against Smith and other leaders, enabling their hellish imprisonment in Liberty, Missouri for four months. In June 1840, a contrite Phelps pled for forgiveness. Joseph replied with an offer of full fellowship, ending his letter, "Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first are friends again at last" (Bushman doesn’t cite the couplet, but I’ve always been moved by it).

Regarding his (ostensibly) deficient capacity to judge character, Bushman points out that extenuating circumstances may have forced (or at least encouraged) Joseph’s hand. As a nascent movement on the American frontier, the early Church was often starved for experienced men to fill leadership posts. Accordingly, sophisticates like John C. Bennett quickly found themselves in Joseph’s inner circle shortly after baptism, despite the shallow roots of their faith. (Although he later became a vociferous anti-Mormon, Bennett’s ability to secure a liberal city charter for Nauvoo, Illinois proved instrumental in preserving Joseph’s life, as the Prophet relied on municipal writs of habeas corpus to save him from extradition to Missouri, where he would have surely been killed.)

As the Phelps and Bennett cases illustrate, Joseph had a strong inclination to see the good in people, whether they were new converts or non-Mormon public officials to whom he appealed for redress regarding Missouri persecutions. Mankind’s divine potential– the doctrine that would come to permeate the Prophet’s theology– likely fostered an overly optimistic spirit that Joseph carried over into the day-to-day matters of establishing Zion, although he would have often been better served by a more skeptical approach (the Kirtland Bank comes foremost to mind).

Much more than elucidating Joseph’s character, Bushman paints a coherent history of LDS doctrine and church organization, adroitly chronicling all events within a 19th century frontier context (the importance of which can hardly be understated when we would otherwise clumsily attempt to understand them through a 21st-century lens).

Whatever else Rough Stone readers are tempted to conclude, they cannot honestly impugn Joseph’s sincerity. The hallmark of a charlatan is not an eagerness to admit new acquaintances into his inner sanctum and quickly entrust them with a large amount of responsibility. How many deceivers’ first recorded revelation would be a stiff, personal repudiation from the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants Section Three, wherein Joseph is reproved for loss of 116 manuscript pages from the Book of Lehi)? What sort of scriptural con artist would confess to his scribe that his gift of translation had been compromised after a quarrel with his wife and retuned only after he begged her forgiveness?

170 years after the Prophet began to privately teach it, plural marriage remains the third rail of LDS doctrine. While the introduction of the Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith lesson manual (published in 2007) discloses that Brother Joseph taught plural marriage, it only states that the manual doesn’t discuss the practice, and that it was officially discontinued in 1890. Given the delicate nature of the subject, avoidance is probably the best policy in most Sunday meetings. Bushman, however, has no compunction about giving his readers a thorough review of the matter.

Of all of his teachings, Joseph’s plural marriage was undoubtedly the most polarizing. Regrettably, the secrecy of the practice, and the distortion and abuse thereof by Bennett and other Nauvoo Mormons, greatly clouds the picture. The knee-jerk reaction is to dismiss Joseph as a licentious fraud, but the nuances of the situation force a serious reconsideration. Beyond the fact that Joseph usually sought the approval of parents (or other close relatives) before a proposition, we should ask what kind of seduction artist also encourages his prey to seek confirmation from the Lord before acceding to a marriage proposal. Bushman cites numerous examples of women who initially bristled at the propositions, yet subsequently received profound spiritual manifestations that convinced them to engage in the practice.

Not only did plural marriage precipitate apostasy in Nauvoo, it greatly strained Joseph’s relationship with his first wife, Emma, and ultimately cost him his life. One wonders if Christ may have had the same divisive principle in mind when he told his apostles, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”

Even absent his more difficult doctrines, Joseph Smith was destined to be a polarizing figure. At best, he is a prophet and religious genius. At worst, he is a self-deluded, albeit earnest, visionary. Either way, Joseph never intended Mormonism to be a means for his own aggrandizement. Rather, the Church was a conduit for the pure in heart to realize a profound destiny. Indeed, Joseph’s First Vision and angelic visitations were not even included in early missionary tracts; the crux of the proselytizing message lay in the restoration of priesthood authority and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

If nihilism has one antithesis, it is Joseph Smith’s theology. At the most fundamental level, the Church’s appeal is this: of all of the world’s religions and philosophies, Mormonism arguably provides the most meaningful narrative for mortal existence. In nearly every action– however seemingly pedestrian– Joseph saw eternal significance. A mother bearing a child was providing a mortal body for a spirit, thereby enabling it to eventually receive “a fullness of joy.” Records kept for proxy baptisms for the dead would one day be among the books referenced at the last judgment, as seen by John the Revelator. Most significantly, Joseph Smith reiterated the biblical promises of Paul and John in no uncertain terms: the faithful would eventually be exalted to become kings and priests– even gods– in their own right.

Although Rough Stone Rolling is a biography par excellence, Joseph Smith can’t be comprehended by reading Bushman’s oeuvre any more than the realities of war can be appreciated by viewing Saving Private Ryan in the comfort of one’s living room. Our best hope for understanding the Prophet is by making a concerted effort to embrace his doctrines.

If there is one overarching lesson for Church members to glean from this superb history, it’s that Mormonism isn’t about lionizing Joseph Smith or any other church leader. Rather, the LDS faith is about learning, pondering, and ultimately, living the sublime principles that the Prophet imparted during his remarkable sojourn on earth.

Goodbye Fall

2011-11-19T21:47:00.001-08:00

Til next year.

Welcome Baby Jackson!

2011-11-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to my brother, Jeff, and his wife, Nichole!! We are so happy to welcome baby Jackson Jeffrey Burton! We can't wait to meet him!!

Jackson arrived 11/12/11 at 11:54pm - 7 lbs 20 inches- absolutely adorable!!

My Little Bookworm

2011-11-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

Recently Jude started "reading" all of his books to me out loud. It is darling to hear the jibber-jabber and perfect little inflections as he tells me the story. I've got to get it on video one of these days! This boy loves books!

Just because...

2011-11-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

Random

2011-11-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

Jude's new ride...pretty snazzy.

Keeping up with Aurora.

Someone is slightly possessive of her Daddy -

Each night after I put Jude to bed I tidy up the house a bit to get ready for the next day. As I was putting the tupperware in the cupboard I noticed something a little different. It makes my heart smile whenever I find these little treasures hidden in my kitchen. Thanks Jude :)

Halloween: Take Two

2011-10-31T20:37:00.001-07:00

Jude's nickname is Monkey Pants. Naturally, we were excited to dress him as a little monkey for Halloween.

He was NOT excited to be a monkey.

So, we went to plan B - the duck costume. Fortunately, he was much more content as a duck.

Since Jude is still getting over being sick and it was a cold, rainy Halloween night, he decided to stay home and help his daddy hand out candy.

So proud of my duckling!

Eager to chow down on some chocolate.

Yum!

Happy Halloween!!

Family

2011-10-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Aunt Lu!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Adams!

Jimmy's family came to town for a quick visit. Unfortunately, it ended with Jude getting sick at dinner with a nasty GI bug. He lost an entire pound in one day - poor guy! He dined on pedialyte and saltines until his tummy could handle a bit more. Feel better soon buddy!

Haircut

2011-10-27T20:15:00.000-07:00

Before:

The cowlick...

You know it is time for a cut when you can do this with your son's hair...

After: A little shorter on top than we would have liked, but still a cutie!

J

One Year Pictures

2011-10-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday night skills

2011-10-15T20:07:00.001-07:00

About a month ago our 10+ year-old washing machine quit working right in the middle of cleaning my dish towels...she just sounded tired and refused to drain or spin the cycle. The poor girl was Jimmy's during college and has stayed with us through six moves and ten years of marriage. She has served us so well that I couldn't bear the thought of just writing her off... Okay, that is not entirely true... I am cheap and believe that everything I buy should last a lifetime but I strongly dislike anything that has to do with repairs or maintenance. So, I did the next best thing and phoned a friend to come deal with the problem. He came over, helped me disassemble it, and we diagnosed a faulty lid switch with a little help from google. Then we did what any good repair person would do by adding a few pieces of electrical tape to better secure the switch. Viola! She worked again...well, at least until last week.

I found myself once again turning to google to see if she could be saved. Fortunately, the replacement part was not expensive and it looked fairly easy to install. I ordered it and then enjoyed my week off from doing laundry. The part came today and I had no more excuses to delay the repair (plus, we were running out of clean clothes and a trip to the launDROmat would be inevitable this week).

Jimmy was out for the night and Jude was asleep so I spent my Saturday night seeing if I could revive this old girl...exciting I know. Try not to be jealous.

Aurora-not looking too confident in my ability and thinking this is a boring plan for a Saturday night.

Taking out the old switch...

and putting in the new.

Hooray for me!

Aurora - still not impressed.

I guess I learned a few things:
1. It is actually pretty easy to repair the lid switch on a washing machine.
2. I've got a bunch of laundry waiting for me.
3.. I really need to get a life.

I still don't know what is worse...that I spent my Saturday night with my washing machine or that I took pictures and documented it on my blog.

Shake Baby Shake

2011-09-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

Back in May Jude starting clinching his fists and shaking his head whenever he got excited or frustrated. It was usually so quick that it was difficult to capture on camera. I laughed pretty hard each time he did it which only encouraged the behavior. Towards the end of August I was able to snap a few pictures as he started doing it whenever I asked him "to shake".

This past weekend I was able to get a video as he showed off for his grandparents.

The BIG 1!!

2011-09-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

Jimmy arrived home from his trip today and we finally had the chance to celebrate Jude's first birthday as a family. We ate some of Jude's favorite foods for lunch followed by chocolate monkey cupcakes. Jude "read" each of his cards and really enjoyed the new toys and gifts! Many thanks to everyone for all the love and support these past twelve months. It has been a wonderful year!

Happy 1st Birthday to our little Love...you are one in a million! We are so blessed to have you in our lives and treasure every day. May you always know of our love for you and more importantly, the love our Father in Heaven has for you. Remember that you are a special boy with a grand mission to fulfill. Thank you for being our son and for making us the luckiest parents in the whole wide world!"

Love Always,
Your Mommy & Daddy

A year ago today

2011-08-31T18:59:00.000-07:00

A year ago today I held 6 lbs of pure joy...

...and kissed a dream come true.

A year ago today I counted ten perfect toes...

...and watched an angel sleep.

A year ago today I became a mother...

...and my heart was changed forever.

Happy Birthday Love!!

Tomorrow

2011-08-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Jude's 1st birthday! Hooray!

This past month, Jude, you found joy everywhere you looked. May this next year be just as joyful as you!

This is the month you found joy in standing!

This is the month you found joy in playing at the park.

This is the month you found joy in helping with chores.

You got out the pots and pans to make dinner.

You folded the laundry.

You prepared the wipes for diaper changes.

You made sure the toilet paper dispenser was working properly.

You even cleaned out the frig!

This is the month you found joy in feeding the dog.

Once day I noticed Aurora looked a little guilty while you carried on like nothing had happened...

...but then I watched you ever so closely. It began with a look of pure innocence.

Then when no one was watching....ah-ha!! You were caught red-handed!

Sneaky Jude!!

This is the month you found joy in playing with Aurora...

...and longing to go wherever she went.

This is the month you found joy in brushing your teeth. You cut four top teeth at once and love cleaning them. Such a little man!

A joyful month indeed!

A fun day

2011-08-19T21:23:00.000-07:00

Guess who stopped by today?! Great-grandma & grandpa Adams, Uncle Ken, Aunt Kathy, and cousin Carrie! Carrie was in the area looking at colleges so we to spend some time together. Thanks for a terrific day!

More fun to come!

2011-07-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Today we headed over to Jimmy's parents' house to spend the next week with them. Jude got to swim in the same pool that his daddy did growing up.

He made himself at home by rearranging the dining room chairs and inspecting the kitchen cabinets. Looking forward to a great week!

Ten years

2011-07-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

Jimmy flew in this evening after spending the last few days shooting a promotional trailer for his book, Waffle Street. I'll be sure to post it as soon as it's done. Our ten year anniversary was the 21st but we had to delay our celebration until now. Even though we were apart, Jimmy remembered the special day and sent me a dozen beautiful red and peach roses.

I picked him up from the airport and surprised him with dinner at the restaurant where we had our first date 11 years ago!

After dinner we watched the sunset and snapped a few photos.

Happy ten year anniversary sweetheart! Looking forward to many more wonderful years with you. All my love.

Kisses

2011-07-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today we said good-bye to Grandma Georgia and her sweet kisses! Thanks for a great week mom!

More ice cream, please

2011-07-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite places to visit when I go home is Massey's Frozen Custard shop. Their raspberry ice cream with oreo cookies is a little bit of heaven on earth. Jude went with the kid size chocolate cone. Good choice too, and from the looks of things, his first ice cream cone was a big hit!

Excuse the haze on my pictures...a rainstorm had just passed through the area and the humidity fogged up my camera lens. Hence, the halo effect.

Baby Shower

2011-07-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

Last night we gathered as a family to celebrate Baby Burton. My brother, Jeff, and his wife, Nichole, are expecting a little boy this Thanksgiving! We started the night off by eating dinner at the hibachi grill where my other brother, Johnny, works. He was our waiter for the evening and did an excellent job - thanks JB!

Then we went back to my mom's place for games, cake, and gifts!

This morning we had to say a sad good-bye to Sally, Ethan, & Katie. Of course they couldn't leave without a few more pictures-

We will miss you guys! Come back soon!

To Grandmother's house we go

2011-07-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

Today we had the opportunity to visit my grandmother, Olivia (Lee) Kathryn Gentile Burton.

My grandmother is 87 years old and full Italian. She is the only grandparent I have ever grown up knowing, except for her father, whom I called Papa. He lived to be 102 and passed away when I was around six or seven years old.

My sister, Bonnie Lee, is the namesake of each grandmother.

Here we are pictured with my dad, my grandmother, my sister (Sally) and her kids (Ethan and Katie). Four generations!

We had a delicious lunch and then went swimming in grandmother's pool with Aunt Margie, Aunt Eve, my cousin Nick, my dad, Bonnie, Sally, Ethan & Katie. It was a wonderful day!

Just before leaving I had to snap a few photos of Jude with is Papa Burton. Jude was intrigued with my dad's beard and was all smiles after he got to touch it! He sure loves his Papa Burton!

Hershey Park

2011-07-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

Today Katie turned four years old and we celebrated by going to Hershey Park. It was incredibly hot but Jude loved the park!

This is a picture of us during the Chocolate World Tour....gotta love his expression! All that chocolate...yum!

Uncle Jeff, Uncle Johnny, and Jude

Checking out the view from the Kissing Tower

Cooling off with Papa Burton in the shade and...

...with his cousins and Aunt Sally in the water.

Happy Birthday Katie Sue! We sure are lucky to have you in our family!

Home Again

2011-07-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

Jude and I left early this morning and drove home to see our families. Jimmy will be driving up next week after he finishes filming a promotional trailer for his book. Sally, Ethan, and Katie flew across the country to be with everyone and it is super fun to see them again! Tonight we all had dinner at Jeff and Nichole's house. Following dinner the boys played a little football...

On the move

2011-07-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

Music Man

2011-07-14T14:01:00.000-07:00

This little boy LOVES music!!

Ten months old: Tacos & Tantrums

2011-07-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Jude was ten months old at the end of June. Below are some pictures and videos from the month.

Jude's reaction when I told him that he couldn't touch the hot oven door.

Don't know why he found this so funny...maybe because the thought of giving tacos to a 10 month old is a little bit ridiculous?

Everyone needs...

2011-07-08T08:24:00.002-07:00

...a sister like Bonnie.

She took care of my baby.

She entertained my dog.

She took pictures of my family.

She beat my husband in putt-putt...again.

She cleaned AND painted my house.

She stayed up late and watched movies with me.

She listened to my crazy stories and made me laugh.

I somehow got lucky enough to have my sister visit for a few weeks this summer. Bonnie is such a special person and simply AMAZING!!! She has this unique ease about life and peaceful, quiet energy. Being around her chills me out and makes me feel like I can just be. Bonnie is extremely slow to anger and very quick to forgive...unlike anyone else I have ever met. She has a gift for understanding people and compassion for where they have been. She is wonderful in every way! Thanks sister for visiting me, and more importantly, thanks for being you.

Please come back..we miss you already!! You're the BEST!!

A new cousin!

2011-07-08T08:24:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to my brother, Jeff, and his wife, Nichole, who are expecting their first baby this Thanksgiving season!!! The Burton clan will have much to be grateful for as this new little BOY joins the family. Jude is thrilled to have a cousin so close in age, and we are already looking forward to future play dates :) Jeff and Nichole will be awesome parents and we couldn't be happier for them. Today they celebrate 6 years of marriage and we wish them a very happy anniversary as well!

Fireworks

2011-07-04T22:23:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!!

Jude was in awe of the fireworks!

Once the incredulity wore off, he started flinching with each loud bang.

Eventually he covered his ears and started looking pretty upset so I took him indoors and we watched the rest of the show from the window.

We had a fun time celebrating with our friends and are so grateful for the freedom we enjoy!

Beach Trip

2011-07-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

This past week we had the opportunity to hang out at Myrtle Beach. Bonnie was back in town for an extended visit so she tagged along and we had a wonderful time! This was Jude's first trip to the beach, first time in a swimming pool, first time playing mini-golf, and first time going to an aquarium. He was a trooper and fell asleep each day completely exhausted!

A visit

2011-06-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

Jimmy's parents recently came down for a visit before heading off to Italy for a summer vacation. We went out to dinner and spent the day visiting Fearrington Village. At the village they have a small book store with a darling children's section. Books are some of my favorite things to have around the house. Jim & Jane made sure Jude was loaded up with great books for some summer reading. Thank you!! Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Love this picture of Jimmy with his parents and Jude! So Sweet!

Nine months old

2011-06-21T20:19:00.001-07:00

Jude was nine months on May 31st. The last three weeks have been busy as this little dude is figuring out how to get around and how to get into EVERYTHING! He has a pretty fast and furious army crawl and can pull up on furniture to his knees.

I found him in his crib one morning on all fours and crying. I think he was crying because he didn't know how to move or get out of that position-he looked kinda stuck! When I try to help him stand up, he swings his legs way out in front of him and then puts just his tippy-toes on the ground.

He doesn't really care to sit up either - he can, but just prefers to be moving at all times.

Learning to get around is quite the experience and he loves chasing after Aurora...

...or heading towards an open door. All month he has been fascinated with opening and shutting doors...this entertains him for at least 15 minutes.

Another activity that he loves to do is reading. We've read to him since he was in my belly and you can tell how much he enjoys a good book.

He turns each page and studies the pictures with such intensity - reminds me of his daddy! His favorite books have always been and still are "Five Silly Monkeys", "Doggies", and "One Duck Stuck". His eyes light up and he smiles from ear-to-ear whenever he sees a monkey, dog, or duck.

This month he noticed his thumbs. One day he made a fist, stuck out his thumbs, and started wiggling them all around. Then he furrowed his brow and began sticking his thumbs on everything and into anything. I'll never forget the expression on his face as he first looked confused and then surprised by all his thumbs could do - it was precious! Those thumbs have come in handy as he is learning to feed himself too. He can give high-fives and is learning to wave "hi"/ "bye" and clap. Such busy, busy little hands!

(I love how he hooks his toes under the tray..such a monkey!!)

He has become much more vocal this month and his volume level has gone up about 100 times!! Jude can say "da-da", "ma-ma", "ge-uz" (Jesus), "da-gee" (doggie), and "woof". Of course he never says any of these things on command when we want to show him off and that's okay...he's just humble. He's also fiercely determined and independent. If he sees something across the room that he wants (usually Aurora) he sticks out his tongue and looks like he is out to conquer the world! If there is an obstacle in his way - no problem- he just crawls right over it and moves on.

One of the best things about this month is that he started consistently sleeping through the night - such a little angel!!

First Father's Day

2011-06-19T19:03:00.000-07:00

Then:

Now:

This little boy sure loves his Daddy!

Two other great fathers to honor on this special day:

Grandpa Adams -

Papa Burton-

Thanks for all you do! Happy Father's Day!!

Father's Day Card

2011-06-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Rock Climbing

2011-06-18T22:51:00.000-07:00

Our date night rocked!

Fun Memories

2011-06-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorite memories from our trip-

Laughing with Aunt Bonnie. Too sweet for words!

Snuggling with Aunt Sally.

Jude rarely ever snuggles, but the minute he is in Sally's arms he just melts! I've never seen him cuddle with anybody the way he cuddles with her. She has a magic touch and a special connection with this little boy

.

Dancing with Grandma Georgia and kisses all around.

Uncle Greg teaching Jude how to do the evil laugh...Jude does this whenever he gets his hands on something he's not supposed to have. Now I know when he's getting into trouble - thanks Greg!

Ethan and Katie Sue teaching Jude how to crawl, make monkey noises, and give high-fives.

Thanks for a great time!

May Recap - Part 3

2011-06-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

May 31st -On our last day in the Northwest we got to go see a great, big waterfall!! It was simply beautiful.

May 30th - We spent Memorial Day afternoon at the Museum of Flight. As their website says, "The Museum’s collection includes more than 150 historically significant air- and spacecraft, as well as the Red Barn®—the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Co. The Museum’s aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast." It was a very humbling experience to be there on such a memorable day.

Highlights of the museum included seeing a B-17 and the first flying oval office or Air Force One - SAM 970. SAM 970 has carried presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, as well as VIPs such as Nikita Khrushchev and Henry Kissinger. In 1962, SAM 970 was replaced by a newer Boeing VC-137C. But SAM 970 remained in the presidential fleet, ferrying VIPs and the vice-president, until June of 1996.

May Recap - Part 2

2011-06-06T08:45:00.001-07:00

May 28th - Ethan's baptism was absolutely perfect! He was so happy. Sally hosted an open house after his baptism and many of his friends came to share in his joy and show their support. Congratulations Ethan! We sure do love you, and we are so proud of you!

May 25th-26th - Over the next few days we basically hung out at the house, recovered from our trip, and relaxed. Jude loved being with his cousins and enjoyed playing with all of their toys. Katie even taught Jude how to give high-fives! We congratulated Ethan on becoming a cub scout, and we cheered Katie on during her exercise class. Way to go Ethan and Katie!

May 24th - Jude had his first airplane ride! We flew all the way across the country to visit my sister, Sally, and her family. My nephew, Ethan, just turned 8 years old and would be baptized during our visit. In our faith, baptism by immersion occurs at the age of 8 because we believe this to be the age of accountability. We were so excited to a part of such a special moment in Ethan's life.

I was lucky to have Bonnie fly out with us and help me with Jude. The first flight was 4 1/2 hours and that was too long for this little guy. He did okay but was pretty much ready to get off the plane after 3 hours. Fortunately, I carefully selected our next flight and returning flights so they were all much shorter. We kept him entertained with toys, books, and baby einstein dvds. He hardly cried, however, he gibbered and jibbered at an extremely LOUD volume. I think his sweet smile made up for all noise and our neighbors didn't seem too bothered by him. He only slept 30 minutes on each flight. By the time we arrived at Sally's house, he was pretty dazed and confused!

May Recap - Part 1

2011-06-02T13:13:00.001-07:00

May 21st - With Jimmy back from a business trip, we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and go to Jordan Lake for the afternoon. This was Jude's first experience in the sand and water. He didn't scream, cry, or act afraid of the water so that was nice. As a matter of fact, he was pretty chill about the whole thing and even looked a little perplexed at times. After being in the water for a few minutes, his cheeks started shaking...it was the cutest thing! He didn't seem to mind though and kept kicking around and watching all the people. We decided he was probably a little cold and got him out to bundle him up. Overall, he really enjoyed sitting on the towel with his Daddy and chewing on his sunglasses. A big thanks to my sister, Bonnie, for taking these pictures!

May 20th - During my sister's visit we went to the Maple View Farm ice cream shop. Here we are relaxing in their rocking chairs.

I have always wanted to go there and was excited to finally have the chance to sit on their porch and enjoy the view. Totally reminded me of the country side where I grew up...rolling green hills, farms, and cows. Now when I miss home I don't have to drive 8 hours...I can just go here and feel like I've been instantly transported.

Jude loved getting a few small tastes of my chocolate ice cream and the spoon was a big hit too.

Bonnie and Jude

Later that night, Bonnie and I threw on our pajamas, enjoyed homemade pizza, and watched a movie. Just us girls! Sister time is the best time!

May 9th-19th - My camera battery went dead and I couldn't find the charger anywhere! No pictures from this week...bummer.

May 8th - Jimmy's childhood friend, Kishan, was in town and stopped by for a quick visit. Jude was intrigued with Kishan's beard and refused to look at the camera for a picture...so this is what we got instead :)

May 8th - My very first Mother's Day! I am blessed to have the opportunity to be the mother of such a wonderful little boy.

May 8th 2011

Aug 31st 2011

We're also very grateful for our amazing mothers and all they do for us. Thanks Mom and Jane!

May 7th - I took Jimmy out on a date. It was nice to have a little time together again since he has been traveling so much for work.

May 6th - Today was a special day! We celebrated Jimmy's birthday over a lovely dinner with his family at a delicious restaurant. Happy Birthday Jimmy!!!

And here's Jude singing his version of happy birthday to his daddy.

May 4th - My friend, Ashley, kindly took these amazing pictures of my little man. Gotta love this little dude! Thanks Ashley!

May 3rd - Jude cut two bottom teeth! Hopefully he'll start sleeping through the night again... I'll have to get a picture of those pearly whites when I can.

8 Months

2011-05-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

Easter

2011-04-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have any pictures of Jude in his cute Easter outfit. We were running late to church since Jude peed on Jimmy as Jimmy was getting him dressed. After church, I took him out of his car seat and found my own Easter surprise!! He was sure to leave it all over the seat, up his back, in his hair, and of course all over his darling blue sailor suit. Yup. Kids know when it is a special occasion, and they take that opportunity to make sure you know that they know. The Easter outfit is currently soaking in the wash. I'll just have to re-enact Easter another time. C'est la vie.

We still had a traditional Easter dinner with ham and all the fixings. Since I don't have pictures of us from the day, I'll post a picture of our table instead...

Snora volunteered for clean-up duty and did a very thorough job.

Later in the evening we skyped with both of our families and opened Easter presents.

Despite the craziness of the day, I'm so grateful for the time I had to reflect on the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior. I am especially thankful for His example, love, and life. One of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon says, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." Truly we rejoice in Him this Easter season. Have a wonderful Easter!

Poor Baby

2011-04-21T20:43:00.000-07:00

So far, we've been lucky to have a very healthy little guy. This past week Jude came down with a really bad virus and it made me appreciate his good health all over again. His temperature climbed as high as 103.9, and needless to say he was pretty miserable. Of course, you would never know it from looking at this picture...no matter how bad he felt he always managed to smile for the camera! Glad he is on the mend and hopefully we'll both be getting some sleep soon...

Party

2011-04-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Jude and I went up north to visit family. Jeff, Johnny, Bonnie, and I all have birthdays within 2 1/2 weeks of each other so we had our annual birthday party. It was so much fun to hang out and enjoy one another's company. I always love spending time with my siblings, and I treasure the friendships we share. Easter is still about two weeks away but since I'm not making another trip home anytime soon we decided to do our annual Easter egg hunt too. Jeff won again this year! That stinker. Look out next year though Jeff - I think Jude might give you a little competition!!!

Jude and I also had a chance to visit Grandma and Grandpa Adams during our trip. We spent the day playing with toys, enjoying a lovely dinner, and best of all checking out the tractors!! Jude was a natural, and I think he was ready to drive those tractors all way the home! Thanks for a great time everyone.

The BIG 3-0!!!

2011-04-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

Guess who turned 30 today?!?

Jude

2011-04-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

My Supermen

2011-04-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

Seven months

2011-03-31T22:08:00.000-07:00

A little attention please...

2011-03-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

Jude and I took a break from playing and returned to find this:

Aurora had seized the moment to position herself in place were she couldn't be missed! I think she expected me to take her picture too...

Pinehurst

2011-03-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we met Jimmy's parents in Pinehurst, NC. Jude had a great time on his first carriage ride! Enjoy the pictures!

Boxing before bedtime

2011-03-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

Last night Jimmy decided to add a new element to Jude's bedtime routine...

Just for fun

2011-03-18T23:12:00.000-07:00

Jude was having so much fun rolling around on the floor that Aurora and I decide to join his party. He's also trying hard to sit up.

A new trick

2011-03-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

Jude has been rolling from his tummy to his back for quite some time now. He has been so close to rolling from his back to his tummy. I took a few minutes last night to help him get over his little arm which kept getting in the way. Today he did it on his own and is rolling all over the place!

Reasons to Celebrate

2011-03-13T18:39:00.001-07:00

1. Jimmy got a job and starts on Monday!
2. Jude's six month pictures turned out great!
3. I got my braces off!!

Pictures this week

2011-03-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the nice weather on a walk

Blowing raspberries before lunch

Gotta love those peas!

Apples?

All smiles for his mommy!

Six months

2011-03-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

It seems like just yesterday I found out I was expecting Jude, and now, here he is at 6 months old! I made a commitment to myself when I was pregnant to enjoy each moment and so I have. I don't long for the past or try to rush the future...I just live in the present and appreciate it for what it is. Being a critical care nurse for seven years taught me a lot about life and love. I never really talked much about my work as a nurse because it isn't something you can explain to others. How do you describe the poverty, pain, and sorrow that people experience? How do you account for the small miracles and triumphs? The love and loneliness? How do you write about life and death?

I have so many memories and yet no way to communicate what those memories mean to me. I know that life can change in an instant, and I know that regret is a terrible thing. Maybe someday I will share those memories, but for now I express my thanks to the many people I've cared for as a nurse. Their struggles have taught me much and given me strength. That season of my life has been put on hold right now as I embrace a new season...the season of motherhood.

So it is with Jude. I don't long for him to be a newborn again and I don't rush him to walk or talk - those moments will be here soon enough. I enjoy each stage of his life and know what a blessing and gift it is to have such a delightful baby boy.

At six months Jude weighs 15 lbs 7oz and is 25 3/4 inches. This month he learned how to blow raspberries and frequently showers anyone that comes within range. He is working on sitting up and he can transfer objects from hand to hand. He loves watching Aurora and reaches out to pet her whenever she comes near him. You can compare the pictures below to his five month shots.

It is getting harder and harder to keep this little guy still for more than a second!

I whipped him up some sweet potatoes today and it appears to be a big hit!

Finally, Aurora got into my basket of wrapping paper and ribbons this afternoon. Jimmy decided to get creative and made her a little bow. She wasn't too thrilled with it and spent the next five minutes ripping it off. When Jimmy saw the picture he shook his head and said, "man, I need a job!"

Lunch Break

2011-02-21T20:09:00.000-08:00

Jude's first taste of solid food.

The Weekend

2011-02-20T19:14:00.000-08:00

This weekend we spent an afternoon at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens enjoying the nice weather.

I love this picture of Jimmy and Jude!

By the time we took a family shot they were both a little tired of smiling. Oh well!

Jude tried out his exersaucer for the first time. He wasn't too thrilled with it in the beginning and cried for me to take him out...it was a bit overwhelming! Eventually, he warmed up to it and I was able to snap a few pictures. Now, he seems to think it is pretty cool!

Not to be forgotten...our Snora.

Reading

2011-02-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

I love reading to Jude. Getting through a book can take a very long time as each page has to be carefully tasted by this little dude. It is darling and makes storytime a lot of fun!

Yum!

Feet

2011-02-15T10:53:00.001-08:00

Somebody found his feet this week...

Have you seen this?

2011-02-05T07:12:00.000-08:00

We can't get enough of this commercial! Too cute!

Five Months

2011-02-05T05:17:00.000-08:00

Jude turned five months old this past week. It is such a fun age! Jude is truly a delight. Some of the things I love about him:
-the way he laughs when I tickle him or make funny faces/sounds
-the way he studies his hands
-the way he sleeps with his bum in the air
-the way he lights up when he sees himself in the mirror
- how he watches Aurora and laughs
-how he smiles at everybody
-how he doesn't miss a thing...he is always looking around for something interesting to do; very attentive and loves to be entertained
-how he can stick his entire fist in his mouth when he is really hungry
-snuggling together in the mornings

Things he learned to do last week:
-he pulled down his zebra toy and made it zip up
-he is pulling objects off the table
-he can almost hold a bottle completely by himself
-he grabs two toys at once
-he puts everything in his mouth

One of my favorite things is that he has figured out how to move around on the floor...I call it the "hip shimmy". When I put Jude on his back he plants his feet and then throws his hips up in the air. He moves his hips to the side and then adjust his upper and lower body. Jude realized he can move side to side, around in a circle, and up and down using this motion. He tries to "shimmy" out of his car seat and bath holder. He isn't too interested in rolling since learning this new maneuver...it is pretty funny to watch to say the least. He looks so proud of himself too!

Family Outing

2011-01-29T06:08:00.000-08:00

This past Friday we went to the NC Museum of Art and saw the Norman Rockwell Exhibition. I have always enjoyed Rockwell's portrayal of children and their innocence. Some of my favorites:

On our way out we stopped by the children's exhibition- Fins and Feathers: Original Children's Book Illustrations from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. I was impressed with how Jude studied each piece. It was a delight to watch the little wheels in his head turn, and I'm already looking forward to our next family outing!

Gonna Getcha

2011-01-20T08:49:00.000-08:00

Yes, I realize my entire blog is now nothing but posts of Jude...let's just say it is for our out-of-state families!

Go RAVENS!

2011-01-15T11:31:00.001-08:00

A New Do

2011-01-14T11:22:00.000-08:00

Hanging out

2011-01-06T17:48:00.000-08:00

All smiles

2011-01-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

Jude started giggling this past week and I just love it!

4 months

2011-01-04T16:28:00.000-08:00

Jude had his four month check up today and the stats are:
Weight - 13 lbs 14 1/2oz
Length - 24 1/2 inches

3 months

2 months

1 month

4 days old

Rolling

2010-12-31T14:44:00.000-08:00

Jude is 4 months old today!

He loves looking at his hands and is constantly waving them in front of his cute little face.

He can now roll from his tummy to his back.

Ta-da!

And with a little more time he'll be rolling from his back to his tummy.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T14:39:00.000-08:00

Friends

2010-12-18T22:44:00.000-08:00

We had a very nice dinner with some of our friends and their babies. Between four couples, there were five babies ages 4-6 months old.
From left to right: Jeffrey, Claire, William, Jude, and Jack

Jude wasn't too sure what to think of his new friends! Poor little Jack!!

Deck the Halls

2010-12-04T22:30:00.000-08:00

Tonight we put up our Christmas Tree and decorated the house for the holiday season. We had so much fun listening to Christmas music as we placed ornaments on the tree and made cookies.

Jimmy surprised me and said he wanted to be the one to make the cookies this year. During the ten years we've been together I have never, ever seen Jimmy Adams bake anything! I couldn't resist snapping a photo of this event. It was very entertaining to watch him. The cookies actually turned out really good and I wish I would have taken a picture of the final product...he made each cookie the size of a waffle because that is what "he knows best."

Jude's thunder

2010-11-29T21:33:00.000-08:00

Listen closely and you can hear Jude's thunder at approximately 1.03 and 1.29. He has stopped a few church meetings with his lovely sounds...

2010-11-29T21:32:00.000-08:00

Great Grandma Burton

2010-11-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

Jude met his Great Grandmother Burton recently. We had a wonderful, delicious dinner and a great time catching up with Aunt Mary Margaret, Nicholas, Jenna, Aunt Eve, Uncle Al, and Grandma Burton. Hope to see you all again soon!

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T19:27:00.000-08:00

This year we had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with Jimmy's family. Jude met all of his relatives and was showered with lots of love and attention! We saw my family later that weekend to celebrate birthdays for my dad and sister-in-law, Nichole. Jude also attended Jimmy's book signing in my home town. Thanks for all the fun everyone!

Three Months

2010-11-23T08:42:00.000-08:00

Jude is 3 months old today! He is 12.2 lbs and a cute little baby boy. I have loved every moment of being his mommy and treasure these precious memories.

Expressions

2010-11-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

Baby Bear

2010-11-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T14:50:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Butterworth, a Waffle House Waiter, and a Waffle

2 months old

2010-10-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hooray! I'm two months old today and..

.. I'm as big as a racquetball racket.

A racquetball racket? Seriously mom...

Made with love

2010-10-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

My mom made this gorgeous blessing blanket for Jude. I know he will treasure it for years to come. Thanks mom for taking the time, energy, and love to make such a unique and special gift. It is beautiful!

Blessing Day

2010-10-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

Below are pictures from Jude's blessing today.

Meeting Jude

2010-10-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day. Jude had the opportunity to meet his Papa Burton, Uncle Johnny, Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Nichole. He also got to show his Grandma Georgia how much he has grown since she last saw him at 8 days old. They made the seven hour trip to be here for Jude's blessing this weekend. I am so grateful to share these special moments with my best friends, my family. It has definitely been a very sweet time full of wonderful memories and lots of smiles!

From Across the Country

2010-10-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

Today Aunt Sally flew all the way across the country to meet me and help my mommy. I can tell Aunt Sally and I are going to be great friends! Here are a few pictures of us getting to know each other. Enjoy!

Love,
Jude

Saying hello..

Snuggle buddies..

Hugs and kisses..

October Birthdays

2010-10-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we visited Primland, a beautiful resort located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. We met Jimmy's family there to celebrate the October birthdays of John, Lindsay, Lu, and Jim. We had a wonderful time enjoying the fresh mountain air, going for walkings, and hanging out with family. Happy Birthday everyone!

So Proud...

2010-10-15T22:04:00.000-07:00

..of Daddy!

Jude showed up to his father's book signing tonight in style.

Daddy's number one fan is this adorable baby boy!

Here he is in deep thought while pondering the message of Waffle Street.

You can order a copy of Waffle Street at www.wafflestreetbook.com Enjoy!