Time for change.

I love weekends!  No work, no school, just us!  Today however, Nephi was asked to film a last minute documentary for some lady in Provo.  I was disappointed.  But, after hearing about her story I was touched, then got excited at this opportunity he had to not only meet this woman but spend the whole day with her and her family.  You actually may have heard of her.  Her name is Stephanie Nielson, shes a well known "mommy blogger" who was in a plane crash which burned 80% of her body but because of her positive approach to life she's touched and inspired many people around the country.  Anyways, last night I started reading her blog http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/ and felt... inspired, not only to do something about my abandoned blog but to appreciate more the simple things in life, like the time I have with my son and husband.  I thought of Ezrum.  Im with him almost all day every day and I love it.  But... how many of those hours I spend with him are actually quality hours?  Its so cold outside and I don't have a vehicle a lot of the time so I feel limited, but I think thats more of an excuse.  There are days when I'll just sit with him and watch his little cartoons.  Then i'll watch my show, another episode of the biggest loser.  Other days I'm on the computer editing photos while he plays by himself in his little corner with his toys.  Dang I feel so guilty about that.  Maybe its time for a change.  Im a good Mum, I just don't know where my time goes or how to use it wisely anymore.  It was a good wakeup call.  Time for change.

End of year Vacation

As a gift from Shem and Rachel our family were able to spend about 3-5 days in St George all together.  They booked 3 condos side by side with 3 bedrooms in each. Onsite there was a pool, hot tub, playground, basketball court, fitness center, pond and golf course, it was gorgeous!  Even though we weren't there too long we were still able to have a ton of fun and see and do a lot of things - family pj and talent night, shooting, family photos, cards games till 2am everyday, zions national park, St George temple lights and we ate and ate and ate!  Hopefully this will continue to be a bi-annual event.  We loved every minute of it!

Photography

I love photography!  But.... I need a lot of practice!!  So if you want to help I'd very much appreciate it, whether its giving me the opportunity to take pics of you or giving me advice!  All of it is welcome.
Here is my blog of some of my most recent work.  hayleypjohnson.blogspot.com.  These pics I took yesterday and today are an example of the extreme weather here in Utah.  One day its gorgeous the next its snowing!  At least Ezrum enjoyed it:)

Ezrums little green chair

A few weeks ago, Nephis Mum bought Ezrum and his other little cousin Kae'o matching green chairs on our way to the lake.  He love love loved it!  After pulling it out for him he inspected the back of it, then the legs, then he wanted help getting into it.  So for what seemed like forever all he wanted to do was sit in his chair, get out of it then climb in it again.....  I realized that the smallest, simplest and even the most boring things in life can actually mean the world to your little one:) 

From Hana to New Zealand to Utah

The stark contrast between Hana Maui and Salt Lake City Utah is phenomenal.  Its proof that only God and his infinite wisdom and creativity could have pulled off something like these two totally different landscapes.  I love them both but would have to agree that New Zealand was his best geographical creation!  I don't think anyone will dispute with me on that.  

Our time in Hana, Maui has come to a sad close now that Nephi has finished his documentary project out there.  Im not sure if I ever took the time to explain what life was like out in Hana, I don't think I can compare it to anything.  Ill start with the road to Hana.  This road is world famous for its natural beauty unblemished landscapes and towering waterfalls.   It has over 600 turns (some of them a full 180 degrees) and 54 bridges, most of them have only one lane.  It takes the average person without stopping about 3 hrs or so to make a 35 mile trip.  A lot of tourist websites actually have Road To Hana driving and etiquette tips.   My personal opinion.... I hated the stupid road!  I could never make it from one side of the road to the other without having to pull over and relieve my stomach of it previous inhabitants.  But for those that dont get car sick, it can be one of the best experiences ever.

Once your in Hana its like taking a step back in time.  One word to describe it - RESPECT.  The people there are one of a kind.  If you want to have a great experience there, get to know the people.  Thats what made our trip there so much fun.  Besides that, some of my favorite things I did include diving into Wainapanapas fresh water caves, driving to Ohe'o or the seven sacred pools, the hike up through the trails, the bamboo forest across streams to I think its called Waimoku, the tallest waterfall I have ever seen.  Probably about a 400ft drop.  This is found in the Kipahulu district just outside of Hana.  Hamoa beach.  My favorite beach!  You can swim, bodyboard and surf at this one beach.  It has lots of trees, bbq spots and warm white sand to lay on, aaaaaahhh.  We would also spend time harvesting fresh vegetables at Hanas community garden, spend time at Hana Bay, watch the blowholes at Wainapanapa explode with water, or just stay home and relax.  I learned so much about being here especially from Kara, Nephis cousin whom we stayed with.  She is amazing!  I hope we'll get to go back and visit.  

Random fun sidenote. 

This is Ezrum at 3 months old in Whangaruru New Zealand.  He loves to talk.  One of our favorite things is waking up to the sound of his little noises.  One of the precious gifts of parenthood.

5 months old!!

On the 24th of Feb Ezrum turned 5 months old!  Its crazy scary how fast time has gone by.  This encourages us to soak in every moment we get with him because before we know he'll be wanting to run away from us and refuse our hugs and kisses!  noooo!  It has truly been the greatest 5 months of our lives!

Our Little Tourist.

I've been so bad at keeping this blog thing up, so sorry people.  On my recent visit home to New Zealand my Mum, talking to Ezrum said, "well aren't you just a little world traveler!"  I thought about this and decided I wanted to just write about it, listing the pros and cons of exposing our 4 1/2 month old son to things some people might raise an eyebrow at.  First off Ezrum was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, then at 5 weeks old moved to Hana Maui, then at 2 months we took a trip to Kona for a week then back to Hana.  A month after that we left for New Zealand for a month then back to Hana again.  Next we will be flying back to Salt Lake with a good chance of possibly coming back.  Crazy huh.  Here goes:  Cons first 1.  Rather lengthly plane rides, possibly full of sick people, recycled air and the effect of the cabins air pressure.  (total of 28hrs of flying time so far)  2. Unsettled routines.  This is a big one I've struggled with.  Every time we finally get him into a routine we're off on another adventure causing his routine to change.  We do stick to one routine though, a routine called EASY.  You might have heard of it.  Eat, Activity, Sleep, Your time.  Ever since he was born he has followed this routine except when he's going through a growth spurt or (like recently) begun teething.  Its been very helpful.  3.  Lack of consistent exposure to family and friends.  4.  He doesn't have very many toys.  This could possibly delay his motor skills.  Its quite expensive buying toys wherever we go, so wherever we are we try to use our good old ingenuity and use your everyday objects we find around us.  He does have a little toy monkey that he just loves to chew on!  Any comments about that?  Ok now on to the Pros,  1.  Travelling has definitely helped to strengthen his little immune system.  He hasn't been sick once!  No colds, no fever, nothing out of the ordinary (well yet).  Our Dr told me that as long as Im breastfeeding he'll been ok.  2.  Exposure to different environments and situations that may heighten his senses, different sounds, taste, patterns, people, comfort etc.  Sometimes I just love to watch him and wonder what the heck he is thinking about or how much of what he is seeing is being soaked up, like a piece of bread dipped in milo.  Yummm!  3.  He got to finally meet his Nana and Koro in New Zealand and tons of other close relatives who have been dying to squeeze him!  That was very important for me, I want my Son to know how much he is loved by both sides of his family and how much I love them too.  Of course he won't remember that trip but my family won't forget it, and he will have tons of pictures of him having loads of fun with his cousins!  He was spoilt rotten!  4.  Both Nephi and I agree that by exposing Ezrum to many different things at a young age will help him to have an adaptable personality.  Already we can see it in his little eyes and in the way he interacts with his environment and different people that he is very aware  of his surroundings.  Overall our experiences have brought our little family closer together.  With all our worries set aside, in his first 4 1/2 months of being on this earth he has seen more of the world than most people see in their whole lives.  We love this little boy a whole stinkin bunch and we feel very blessed and humbled to be parents.    We know there is no perfect way to raising a child, only that there needs to be a lot of quality time, attention and love.