Birthday Surprise and an Auntie's Joy.

I've spent the last six weeks or so trying to keep the arrival of Jamie, Regan and Mason a secret from my parents.  Now that Jamie lives across the country we really don't get to see them too often.  Jamie thought it would be fun to surprise my parents for their birthday.  I don't like keeping secrets.  Sure, if they are a big time and I'm told them in confidence, I won't tell but when it's something that is so exciting like a surprise, I can hardly handle it.  It's like when Jamie told me she was pregnant with Mason right when she found out and I had to wait like 2 months for her to tell mom and everyone else.  It's hard for me.  But we managed to pull it off.  

They flew into Boise, I picked them up, and we walked in (Cole and Kier had just arrived as well) and boy, did mom scream.  She had no clue they were coming!  I'm not sure how, honestly.  I thought for sure I'd spoiled it when she told me that dad had picked up the baby chicks the day before and my immediate response was "Mason, will love those!....(*insert stomach drop) We'll have to Facetime him when I get there."  The little fiblets were flowing all month long. 

My parents were so happy!  I was happy!  I could honestly write 10 posts about all the cute and funny things Mason did, but I won't because he probably won't love me as much when he gets bigger so I probably shouldn't waste my time, but for the record..right now, BOY does this boy love his Auntie. 

When I got to the airport, I decided to go in to see them out of the terminal and to help them get their bags.  It was almost like waiting for a missionary.  It felt like it had been that long since I last saw them.  Right as they walked through the first door, I saw Mason, he saw me, and he ran to me as fast as he could with his heavy "Cars" backpack on.  I could cry now.  It was the best.  I'm not a mother and who knows if I ever will be, but I count myself lucky for having that little boy who loves me so much right now.  And of course Regan too!  She doesn't love me as much I'm sure, but she's 18 and knows my flaws. haha.  I'm a flawless princess to Mason right now and I love it.  In fact, one day this week when I was taking a nap with him he told me I was his girlfriend.  He better love me even when he's 18. ha. (ew weird. I just pictured him as a teen. NEVER GROW UP!).  He also made me wear my old homecoming queen crown and Jamie's Tip-Off queen crown a couple of times.  Told you.  Princess!

Having everyone together is always great!  We went bowling, watched a lot of TV (and Despicable Me 2 because that's Mason's favorite right now), played with Mason, went to build-a-bear and the mall, visited family, rode the four-wheeler, and just hung out a lot.  The only complaint I have, really, is that my parent's place isn't really meant to have that many people in it.  It was cozy, that's for sure.  But we made it work!  Honestly, just being together was just nice.  I really miss my sister and her family when we have to go that long without seeing them.  Makes me sad.  Just like when Mason kept saying "You can't go back Utah, Auntie.  Not ight now."  Sad!  I didn't want to go back.  Just like I didn't want him to leave.  OK, I like having my own room and my own bed and it's always nice to get back to your own life and space.. but I also wouldn't mind if they were just a couple minutes or hours away.  Growing up and moving away SUCKS.  

Dear Jamie, COME BAAAAAAACK!

Now I guess it's my turn to go back out there.  Preferably because the heat of the summer because Humidity is not my friend. I better stalk looking at flights.

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A quick list of other things Mason said/did so I can always remember them:

He's demanding.  Always wants his blanket and apple juice.

He pulled my shirt out a couple of times, looked down and said "boobies!" I laughed though so the second time was my fault, I'm sure.  The boy is just fascinated with the body and being naked.  He either wants in his "jamma's" or to be naked with just his underwear on and under the covers.  The kid knows what's up. One time this weekend he said "Auntie, naked too" as he tried to lift up my shirt while laughing.  I told him he didn't want me to be naked with him.  He complained but got over it really fast.  I probably gave him candy (candy is the ultimate cop-out and I'm the best at it.  Will work on toddlers and most adults).  

He has the sweetest heart.  If he thinks you're sad, he will ask you if you're alright, or just tell you that you're alright and will cuddle you or give you a hug.  I pretended to be sad a couple of times.  Kier even said that when she was laying down with him for a nap he heard Remi in his kennel and he kept saying "ohh, the puppy sad. It's alright."  love.

Even though he loves you he can still be a stinker sometimes.  I'm sure I was being annoying or was just in his way but a couple of times he held his baby finger up to my mouth and said "SHUT YOUR MOUTH!"  and one time, "Shut your face," and another time "Be quiet, auntie."  Of course, he said it in the cutest tone which made it super funny. 

I caught him in my bedroom with a bottle of nail polish (i'd left him for not even two minutes) and he opened it up and had almost perfectly painted one of his finger nails.  Bright red.  I came in and quickly grabbed it from him and he said "I have makeup like you, auntie."  I can't.  I need a baby niece too, I just decided.

He remembers everything.  He's so smart!  I told him I would take him to the candy store when he was crying one time (see, the candy thing again) and we didn't go that day but the next day he was telling me that he wanted to go to the candy store.  We finally went.. aka the Jackson's gas station in Notus.  It worked.  I honestly am blown away by how smart he is. 

His laugh.  OMG.

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I could keep going on and on but I won't.  It was just so much fun being with everyone. I'm sure 50 percent of my posts are about how much I love my family but it will never stop so, sorry :) I love my family!  I love Idaho! I love being an aunt! My sister is cool!  

Thanks, Jaym for making it a great week. 

The end.

We all have issues, mine are just weird.

I like to think that I'm a pretty put together human being.  Aside from my Netflix binge-watching problem, I know how to sew! I feel like that's pretty cool.  I also have that piece of paper that says I have a Bachelor's of Science (or "BS", if you will, because that's what it feels like sometimes). One time I learned some html coding stuff outside of Myspace profile designs and set up my own website from scratch. And I sometimes find myself knowing way too many things about people I'll never meet or things I'll never do or see.  I know things...

I'm also kind of a hypocrite.  If you quickly jumped to agreeing with that statement you can just imagine me punching you in the face because that's rude and rude people deserve to be punched.  (Crap! I just realized that I'm being a hypocrite now by I'm saying I'm one but not allowing you to think the same thing.) This is a mess.  

I was called out today by my older sister who had a mini intervention with me over the phone.  You see, I hate going to any kind of doctor.  I'm not sure why because I honestly haven't been that many times and don't have any traumatizing experiences that I can think of.  I just don't like the idea that they can look inside you and find things that are wrong.  I also don't like that they can have last names like "Fillerup" when they are a Cooter Doctor. (I threw the word cooter in for my mom because she loves that word.  Me, though? I prefer coochie, hoohaw, vag, or even VaJarna--Parmites, you know what I'm talking about.  Sorry for getting weird just now) If you're still reading and are curious, that is a legit last name of an OBGYN here in Layton.  Vomit.  Also, just know that I don't mean to be irrational.  In fact, I'm admitting right now that I have some issues (not womanly if you were wondering from all the lady part talk I just made you sit through).  The only thing worst than fearing the idea of having things wrong with you is knowing that I can't get them fixed if you don't know they're there and you can't know they are there without getting it checked.  NIGHTMARE!

I've dealt with some minor anxiety issues for a few years but have always felt like I have it under control by myself.  Since my first panic attack in 2009 I've learned that they always quickly pass if I focus on my breathing (rubbing my chest over my heart also helps) and try to keep myself away from super stressful situations.   As a daughter of someone who's dealt with some health issues you'd think that I would be the first person to get myself in to see someone about any issue since I'm always having my mom make appointments for hers.  I always tell her, "if we don't get this fixed then it will never get better." See.. baby hypocrite Jenn. 

So I guess I need to apologize to my mom and Jamie for saying one thing and doing another.  In my defense, though, most of the times I do straight up tell them "I'm not making that appointment." 

No one likes to admit that they have problems, no matter how minor they are because it makes us feel weak.  Of course, this isn't true. I'm not sure what's going on because I haven't actually seen anyone about it yet but I do finally have an appointment to see someone in a couple of weeks (thanks jaym *Winky/Eye roll face).  The thought still makes me want to vomit and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it all day.

I'm not as put together as I pretend to be most of the time.   I have more irrational fears than most people I know and have the hardest time doing certain things that most people don't even have to think twice about.  For example, (just to give you a taste since I'm laying it all out there) I have the HARDEST time going certain places or doing certain things by myself.  Doctor?  Drive-Thru?  Forget about it.  I'm a pretty independent person though so this has always bothered me about myself.  It's like my brain just won't let me do it or makes me think really hard about something I shouldn't have to think about at all. According to my smart mother, that is an issue. I've gotten a lot better at it since I've realized that being single is the fate of my 20's and possibly beyond which means you have to do things by yourself if you want to survive.  Don't worry, I grocery shop by myself like a champ now. *insert facial gesture that shows how proud of myself I am without seeming too cocky because it's nothing to be cocky about at all.*

You're probably laughing at me right now and that's OK, because I like to find humor in things that tick me off about myself too.  I will chuckle with you. We all have problems!! For some reason mine is just this brain of mine that doesn't know when to shut up sometimes. I guess I'm just a baby who needs to grow up and start taking my own advice that I would give everyone else. 

I'm working on it :) Sometimes I just need a little push.  Thank heavens for families and people who love me and know how what's best and how to approach it.  

gah!