The Last Four Weeks

After Kanab, we came home and I started school at SUU. This was a spur of the moment decision, but so worth it. I had 2 years left at WGU. With our future secret plans, this was just not going to work. So I called up SUU, activated my admittance, and I graduate in May with a 4 year degree in Family Life and Human Development, Education, and Psychology. I'm so excited to see an end to my schooling. There's a lot more to it, but I will have a degree and be able to be a mom, FINALLY! So there is the revealing of just one of our 'plans.'

My really good friend Jessica has been doing craft night once a month. I'm LOVING it!! It is a win win situation, because I get to talk with some way fun girls, some I've never met, and create an amazingly cute craft to put in my house! THANK YOU JESSICA AND JESS'S MOM! The first craft was in an earlier post, this is the 2nd and 3rd.

This is my first and only 4th of July decoration! :-) And here's my family sign! You can't really see, but the sign comes out from the wall quite a ways, so it looks even better in real life! I LOVE IT!

Dawson is a #1 fan of 'mantis chicken!' Dawson calls it mantis chicken, my brother chad's family calls it Panda Bear Express Chicken, and we had this for our wedding day luncheon. I've learned to make it at home because my son's cravings were getting expensive. :-) BUT, he loves it more home-made! We buy the Panda Express sauce at the store, but everything else is home-made.

Here is Dawson saying, "I love MANTIS CHICKEN!" with his mouth full of it! And a pepsi on the side I might add... lol! He's got Shelley blood that's for sure!

After three weeks of J.D. being gone, we were really needing him to come visit. He came home for four days! He completely suprised us! We went to St. George for a day and once again Dawson stripped. This little guy loves to be naked! He just takes everything off and when he has to go pee he just runs outside on the grass...sounds gross, but whatever!

I came in to find him naked at my mom's while in St. George... I asked, " Dawson, what the heck?"
His reply, a mischevious grin and a "PEACE" sign! lol!

The naked story continued...well Dawson has learned to unlock, and unbolt doors... he does this, runs outside to pee, and comes running in to me saying, "Mom! I went potty!" He cracks me up! We haven't had any cops or neighbors catching him, so I'm still good until we get a lock up high on the door. He still isn't potty trained, but it's not that he doesn't know how... he just doesn't want to. I really don't want to force him if he isn't mentally ready to go big boy all the way. So he decides on different days when he wants his 'big boys' or a diaper.

While J.D. was home we went fishing, swimming, to the movies, on lots of walks, made cookies, had a small bonfire with just us three, and spent lots of time together.
Here we are fishing at the new lake in Cedar city! Dawson scared all the fish away because he was so excited and loud! haha! But we had fun!

He really had a blast! It was so fun to just see him try and fish.

J.D. left for another three weeks, but we got to see him after 2 at the Stevens' family reunion. I didn't get any pics, but there was a huge bouncy slide for everyone, lots of food, and lots of people! Dawson cried and cried when he had to say goodbye to J.D. It was so hard to explain to Dawson that dad wouldn't be coming home with us. Dawson officially hates mom and dad going to school, but he wants to go to Dawson's school.... lol!

BUT........J.D. is officially home again! We couldn't be happier to be together again. We have lots of new exciting things that we hope to work out the way we want, but sometimes it's not what the Lord has in store for you...so we will just update as things start to fall into place. :-)

Dawson is growing up so much! He is talking and becoming quite witty and clever! He catches us off guard all the time! He still loves horses, driving, all animals, dinosaurs, his sleep, SWIMMING, mantis chicken, and working with dad. He is starting to help out with cleaning up his room on his own. I just say, "Go clean your room." and off he goes. He tries to make his bed too! He still has a way with horses... J.D. went to clip his dad's horses feet and he didn't have to chase them down. Dawson was right there and the horses walked right up to him in the truck.
J.D. and I are doing good too! We have been so blessed while he's been gone to have a peace of mind about all of the changes. Until next time....