Belated Christmas News

Jayden with presents from Grandma and Grandpa Jackson

Mr. Santa Man

Jayden with presents from Derrick and I

Jayden in his Saucer from Grandma and Grandpa Pauly

So I realized that I hadn't posted about Christmas. So I figure I probably should since it has almost been a month since it happened. Our plans this year were to drive to Bear Lake Utah and meet my parents and most of my siblings there. But that is not what happened. The day my parents were supposed to fly out they couldn't even get their car out of the driveway. They received 14in of snow which is unheard of in Portland and all of the flights were cancelled.

Derrick and I ended up spending Christmas with just the three of us in Colorado. It was nice to have a quite Christmas all together. We packed up our old apartment and were moving most of the Christmas break but we still had fun. It was so nice and warm here that we went on walks.

Jayden got spoiled this year. He got several books, toys, movies, clothes, and a saucer. He enjoyed playing with the wrapping paper and had an great time Christmas morning.

Derrick received new jeans, Dark Knight, an Andrea Bochelli CD and a gift card to Rodizio's. I received a rolling pin and pizza stone, Jane Austen books, 6 hr long Pride and Prejudice, and best of all tickets to go see Phantom of the Opera. Our camera battery died so we were only able to video tape Christmas morning but I took so mock Christmas pictures and have included them. So even though it didn't work out as we had planned we still had an enjoyable time.

The Mo has Got to Go

Before

Derrick has been trying to get me to cut Jayden's hair for quite some time now. He had a mohawk on top, a rat tail in the back, and a spot of hair in the back that was always sticking up. And if you combed his hair forward he had a bad comb over and the hair was almost in his eyes. Not to mention he had another layer growing in under all of that old hair. But I was reluctant. I loved his little mohawk and thought it was great how much hair he had. But after an old man at the post office commented about Jayden's comb over I thought that Derrick was right and it was time to cut his hair. I think it looks pretty good and he looks older. Also it is much more even all over. He did really well at letting us cut his hair and I didn't cut him which I was afraid of.

After

A Year Remembered

2008

Our Dearest Friends and Family,
It is hard to believe that another year has gone by. This year has sure kept our little family busy. We decided one of the best ways to share what’s been happening in our lives over the past year is to remember what we have been grateful for this year.

Derrick: This has been quite a spectacular year. I was very grateful for my loving wife (and obviously I continue being grateful for her). I have a newfound respect for her after watching her deliver our son Jayden. She is the strongest person I have ever met, I love her dearly. I am very grateful that she strives to be such a wonderful mother to our son, and such a wonderful wife to me.

This year brought the most life-changing decisions that we’ve ever had. For those that didn’t know, I was finishing an internship in HR in Idaho Falls. When the internship was drawing to a close we had an interview for an HR position in Tillamook, OR for the county seat. We were offered the position, but something didn’t quite settle with us. The company I was interning with, Center Partners, offered me a full-time position after we got back from Oregon. We prayed about it and felt the decision to stay with Center Partners. We couldn’t be happier. This illustrates how grateful I am for the spiritual guidance we received this past year. We have learned that if we strive to do what the Lord wants us to, we will be awarded with His guidance.

And of course, I’m grateful for my family. For the support they give us, and the love they show us. I’m especially grateful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the focal point of our lives.

On a less spiritual note – I’m grateful that Rodizio’s is now if Fort Collins!!!!! I think that’s the reason the Lord wanted us to come to Colorado! (If you don’t know what Rodizio’s is, here’s a link http://www.rodiziogrill.com/)

Catherine: I have been grateful for many things this year. I am grateful for a loving husband who supports me daily. I am grateful for his love towards me and our son. I am grateful that he is an honorable man who is respected by many people. I am grateful that he has a career in which he excels and that he is able to provide for our family.

I am grateful that I was able to carry and deliver Jayden without complications. I am grateful for Jayden who is such a blessing in my life. I am grateful for how healthy and strong he is. I am grateful for how well he sleeps. I am grateful for his laugh that can brighten up any day. I am grateful for his patience with me as I learn how to be a mother.

I am grateful for grandparents who can give me so much knowledge. I am grateful for my parents and my in laws for how much they love and support our family. I am grateful for my siblings, my husband’s siblings and their children who bring joy into our lives.

I am grateful for wonderful friends who lend a helpful hand. I am grateful for the health and strength the Lord gives me every day. I am grateful for a place to live and the beauties of the world around me. I am grateful that I can learn new skills every day. I am grateful for good books and great music.

Most of all I am grateful for our Savior. I am grateful that he was born into this world and died for me. And I am grateful that we have this season of the year where we can focus more on his marvelous life.

Jayden (as observed by his mother): I am grateful for milk and rice cereal. I am grateful for my grandparents and my aunts and uncles. I am grateful for parents who care for me.

I am grateful for a clean diaper. I am grateful for sleep. I am grateful for my binky. I am grateful for attention from anyone but especially Mom and Dad. And I am grateful I can laugh and smile.

We hope this coming year brings you all much joy and happiness. May the Lord bless you.
Love,
The Pauly Family (Derrick, Catherine and Jayden)

Christmas Ornaments

While growing up my grandmother had the tradition of making or purchasing Christmas ornaments for all of the grandchildren. I am not quite sure when this tradition started but as I have reflected on it I have realized that it has been a big part of my Christmas memories.

I remember getting excited to get out the tree and set it up. Of course we had instructions from my mother on how to properly fluff a Christmas tree. Then we would heave in the big barrel of Christmas decorations. We would inspect the casualties from the carelessness we showed the year before in putting away our ornaments. Inevitably there would be candy canes crusted on them our parts and pieces broken off. I realize now that I should have treated them with more care. I also remember waiting with anticipation to see what my grandmother would send me this year. I of course would lay out all of my ornaments in chronological order starting from the year I was born. My brothers and sister and I would argue over who got to put their ornaments in the front of the tree, Mine would always end up crowded down by the bottom because I either could not reach the higher part of the tree or I was not able to convince my siblings that I needed the perfect spot for my ornaments.

After my mother passed away and my father remarried, Katherine made sure that we were able to put up our Christmas ornaments on a special tree and helped to continue that tradition. And even though by this time in my life I would moan and complain about decorating for Christmas. I still really enjoyed it. Although many years have passed I still have quite a few of those ornaments and I treasure them.

This year I was trying to find something I could make for Jayden. I decided that while I am able to be at home with Jayden and I have extra time I should develop some more talents. So thanks to my Sister and Mother in law we came up with the idea to make Christmas ornaments for my little family. I think they turned out pretty good I have included some pictures of them. I am excited that I am able to carry on this tradition that has brought me so many wonderful memories and I hope through the process I will also be able to gain some more skills.

Are we still in Rexburg?

Snow on the bushes outside

Our Impauly covered in snow

In back of our apartment

Jayden out in the snow

Look, an Uncle Steve face

Look how cute he is

He is all bundled up

Well so much for not having any snow. This weather sure reminds me of Rexburg. Whoever told us that they don't get a whole lot of snow here sure lied. They said people still golf here till Christmas. I can't imagine golfing in weather like this. On Tuesday it was over 60* and I had the cool air on in the car. Then between Wednesday and Thursday we had about 8 inches of snow. I think the snow follows us. Oh well. We are doing great. We are in the process of moving to a three bedroom town home with a yard we can garden in and a garage. We will sure be excited for the extra room. Plus it comes with complimentary 70's style wood paneling and yellow and orange counter tops. Actually other than that it looks great.

Jayden had his four month appointment today. The doctor said he looks great. Here are his stats: weight 12 lb 6 1/2 oz length 24 3/4 in. So he is weighing a little small but the doctor isn't too worried about it. But Jayden does get to start trying solids. Yay for the new adventure. He also had his shots but did really well with them.

We are sure getting excited for Christmas and are so excited that we get to see family.

Rolling Over

Jayden is officially rolling over from his tummy to his back . On Sunday he did it about four times in a row here is a video. He is also really close to rolling over from his back to his tummy. I am so proud of him. Our little man is just growing up.

Lots of Laughs

This is a video of Jayden laughing. Derrick is blowing raspberries at him and he thinks it is great. I love his squeaky little laugh.