Sunday, March 30, 2008

guilt free

Before I say anything, let it be known that this post is extremely long. That's what happens when you're a bad blogger like myself. Consquently, I have come to the realization that I am a bad blogger, and I am not feeling fairly guilt free about the whole thing. Fortunately, or unfortunately, that isn't going to stop me from posting every now and again to keep my family and friends far away updated on our oh-so-exciting lives. Now, it would help me to continue to feel guilt free if all of you would start using google reader. That way, you'll know when I post something new, and I don't have to feel bad my mom checks my blog every day and nothing new has been posted. This guilt free thing is something I am trying to implement in all aspects of my life. No more feeling guilty about skipping a day of exercising, or a little ice cream, or things I have no control over at work... we'll see how long it lasts. :)

Well, since I last posted, many changes have occurred. A) We were much more tan. B) We are no longer. This resulted from a trip to Key West for my work. I am the meeting planner, and had a great time planning a vacation for the top sales consultants from DynaVox. DJ was able to come so I wouldn't be the twenty-seventh wheel. We had fun, but I was a little stressed (too bad I didn't decide to be guilt free before I went ). Here is documentation:

The scenery behind is our hotel--it was ridiculously over priced, but very pretty.

Ahhh... isn't he handsome?


We rented scooters and drove around the perimeter of the island. This was definitely my favorite activity of the trip. We also para sailed, jet-skied, snorkeled, took an eco-tour of new islands forming off of the Keys, ate lots of good food, and took a beautiful sunset cruise. A few pictures below:






Needless to say, it was a nice trip. I wasn't exactly happy to come home to the ice/snow covered roads of Pittsburgh...

Next, DJ had a birthday. He is officially a quarter of a century old. He deserves a full post of his own. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. I've honestly never been so happy, and he only gets more thoughtful as times goes on. I'll stop before everyone closes their browser, but here's a little glimpse of the celebration.


I was going to make a beautiful cake (if anyone saw DJ's last birthday cake, they know that's unlikely), but our car died (read: I left the lights on). Instead, a friend picked up this beautiful cake from Giant Eagle bakery. Thanks heavens for mounds of frosting!

We had some great friends come to a movie with us. We saw Vantage Point, which was just okay. But the company was wonderful!

Lastly, we went to PF Changs for a little birthday goodness. We got our usual dishes along with this little desert for the birthday boy. Like I said, he's a hottie.

Next, I went to California and Utah for a little time the family. I flew to Cali, and spent a day in California Adventure with Paul, Amy, Michael, Abby and Bekah. I have the cutest nephews (including little Aaron) and nieces in the whole world. Proof, you say? You got it.









Bekah's obviously a little worried about her brother running through the water. Don't worry, she survived it.

After my California adventure we made the trek to Utah. We had a slight three hour delay outside of Vegas. The three children in the back seat weren't appreciative of the stand-still traffic, but I think the women in the front seat were much more impatient than they were. In the end, we lived to tell the tale. The next few days were a whirlwind. My beautiful sister Hannah competed in Utah's Junior Miss. She was the most beautiful, accomplished girl on the stage. That's all that matters in my mind.

Isn't she a beautiful girl?

Um, I cut my hair. It's short
No, that's not a dead fish, it's the pony tail she cut off.

The last day, I was so lucky to be able to go to my nephews blessing. He is the sweetest baby. He was perfect during the whole blessing.




Melinda was absolutely glowing the whole time. She is such a cute mom. She gave a well-prepared 'thought' before the blessing. It was nice to hear her thoughts as her pregnancy progressed. Aaron has the best parents. He will grow up to be (in DJ's words) the coolest kid ever, a stud if you will. I can't wait to see what amazing things he accomplishes.


My grandparents have lived to see their family grow into quite the troop. Aaron is great-grandchild number 44 (I think). Since they have to live to seal Lafe, they will live to see several more great grandchildren.

Which brings me to the last thought for the post. Most of you know already, but I figured it ought to be posted on the blog.

We are so excited for a new baby in our family. He or she (Peanut, as DJ calls it) will be here around October 24th. We'll keep you updated...

50 comments:

Dad (TMF) said...

No guilt, everyone. Early to bed. Early to rise!

M said...

So, I stumble upon your blog only to find that you are expecting!! CONGRATULATIONS!! You will be a wonderful mother :)

Cara said...

Ahhhhh! I didn't know you were pregnant! Congratulations! I'm so happy and excited for you. Little Jones is lucky to have such great parents. I'm sure he/she will be a stud too. :)

Your adventures sounded fun. Really fun. I want-to-do-all-those-things kind of fun. Maybe we'll have you plan a vacation for us. :)

And I just have to mention that you are just beautiful! All of your pictures are breathtaking. Oh, and I love the photography, especially of the nieces and nephews. You are one talented lady. punk.

Katie said...

FINALLY!! I, like your mother, have been checking regularly to see when you would update the blog. Don't feel guilty, just loved that so many of us care! :)

A couple thoughts: the pics of your trip are awesome! Hannah is a babe-seriously gorgeous. Your nieces and nephews are all adorable and all definitely look like Frandsens. (Makes me wonder if DJ has any chance of influencing the physical features of the “peanut”… guess we’ll have to wait and see! Either way you know he or she will be beautiful!) Congrats again; we love you guys! Come see us!

Michelle said...

So fun to catch up on you two. I'd like to say I learned about you being pg on your blog but that would be a lie. Lisa is so so so excited to be a grandma and she couldn't wait to tell me. Congrats, you guys will be wonderful parents. Aunt Michelle

Ashley said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I am SO excited for you guys!

Anonymous said...

Libby, I (McKenna, if you remember me) have stumbled into your blog and I just wanted to say congrats! What an exciting journey mother hood is to embark on!

kenna said...

Sorry, that said anonymous...didn't mean it. :) Congrats again!!!

Jill T said...

Wow, lots to report! The haircut is cute. Did you donate it? Keep the pregnancy pictures coming so we can see your growing belly!

Linda said...

Your trip looked amazing! And you guys looked like you had lots of fun with lots of adventures to share. And I'm so excited for you two, congrats on the little peanut:)

Gabrielle said...

Hey, I didn't know!! Guess I'm out of the loop. :-)
Wow, congratulations to both of you!! That is so exciting.
I hope you're feeling ok. You better keep your blog updated more so I can keep tabs on you and baby Jones!!

Stephanie said...

That was a GREAT post!!! It was so good hearing from you, and your hair looks amazing! But, most importantly, YYAAAAAAYYYYY FOR THE BABY!!!

patty said...

The hair cut is very cute. You are quite the photographer, the blessing pictures are especially nice. mom

libby said...

Cara, I would plan a vacation for you any day. Just know, I might spend all of your money doing so! :)

Katie, DJ's convinced his genes won't have any 'say' in what our baby looks like, but I think his family has pretty strong genes--at least they all look pretty similar!

McKenna, good to hear from you! Welcome to my rarely-updated blog!

Jill: I did donate it. That's part of the reason it ended up the length it is. I had to get just enough hair to send to locks of love!

Courtnie said...

Congrats Libby! Kids are the greatest! I have 2 now! :)

The whole hair donation thing. . .I did it 2 months ago and you look SO cute! Very stylish!

-Courtnie Cotterell

Amy F said...

Love the haircut... although it is true that you also had the most gorgeous hair. Lucky you to look great in both!

I love these pictures of my kiddos!! I'll have to get copies from you. It really was a fun time with you... and you made those 13 hours in the care bearable... thanks again for being so selfless with your vacation time!!

And I'm anxious to hear how you are feeling lately! Hope the peanut is treating you well...

Stephen said...

so cute so cute. i like the hair very much. are you going to branson? should i come too?

libby said...

Yes to both! You should definitely come! Can you find a cheap ticket? Try to get there by Friday morning around 8:30 am--that way we're all there around the same time. Dad's coming in the night before, so you could stay overnight with him before we make the drive down to Branson... come, come!

Hina Schneider said...

Congrats to the both of you. We are totally excited. Welcome to the clan of being parents and pregnancy. We hope all goes well for the both of you.

Amy said...

I knew it! Your sister spilled the beans to Lindsey Smith during Junior Miss and she came back to FL and told me!!! :-) YAY! Congrats Libby!!!

kami said...

yay!! congrats! and i love your haircut, it looks darling!!

kara said...

Congratulations, guys! We are SO excited for you! Let us know if you're ever in Northern Utah! I'm going to be in a show at Bear Lake this summer, so if you need a mini-vacation, let us know! Love you guys!
the jarvis'

kristen said...

i LOVE your hair. seriously. it's amazingly cute. AND i'm so glad you posted about being pregnant! woo! i still need to call and talk to you about everything...

Pitcherpost said...

After I read your post, I signed up for google reader. I hear it will change the way I blog! Congrats again! I can't wait for you to stop working and start hanging out with the moms!

Libby said...

congrats!! that is so exciting! i have always thought an october baby would be nice.

Auger Family said...

Libby congrats! Being a mom is super fun, hard, rewarding, exciting, sad, tireding...and the list goes on and on. You will be such a good mom! Congrats and I am glad I found your blog!

kate said...

Libby - I stumbled across your blog, and apparently at a good time! Congrats on the news. Babies are incredible. It's so good to catch up on your life and you look amazing!

Elise said...

Congrats, Libby! Having a baby in October is really great because you're not super big for the heat of the summer and it isn't super cold when the baby comes! I hope you're not too sick right now! It was fun seeing you at the baby blessing. You're an amazing photographer, by the way!

Jackson Family said...

Hey! I don't know if you remember me but I found your blog and wanted to say congrats on the baby! they are so fun!

Brooklet said...

You look so beautiful in all your pics! Pregnancy looks well on you!

I love that you guys went mopeding. I have always wanted to do that. ONe day.

Tish said...

wow! babies are so much fun. i'm so excited for you guys. I hope you don't mind i commented on your blog. i just happened to find your blog through facebook. I think you're husband is in the same dental program as my brother-in-law. he's graduating in may, his name is Kevin McMinn, his wife is Stephanie. well, congrats again.

Gina said...

Yay! I can't believe I find out such important and exciting info from your blog! Hello! I feel out of the loop! I am SO excited for you guys! You better make yourself a cute pillow.

The Boothes said...

Hey Libby,

I just found your blog. Congratulations on an upcoming baby. You will be a great mother, and that baby is going to be so loved by both sides of your family. Hope everything else is great!!!

Michelle Boothe

JoDell said...

Congrats again on the baby! You guys are going to awesome parents!

I loved reading your post! It was fun to read about your trip to Key West and to see all the beautiful pictures of you and your family.

Jonny, Mel, Aaron said...

Oh libby, why must you keep me waiting for an update on your fabulous life? :) I cant wait for pictures of your baby and belly.

Jonny, Mel, Aaron said...

this is mel. :)

Katie said...

I keep wondering how you are feeling, if you're showing, and how life in general is going for the Joneses. Let us know! (Or just call me sometime soon.) :)

Amy F said...

Yes. Not to impose any GUILT or anything... but I think you must post a little, bitty update for your fans...

It doesn't have to be perfect, you know...

Anonymous said...

it's official..your blog is on my favorites list! yay! even though your post was long, I thoroughly enjoyed it! congrats again on being prego! I'm so excited for you!:)

Catherine Faux said...

Hey Libby and DJ. Congrats on your pregnancy. I found your cool blog.

Anonymous said...

update!:)

Chelsea said...

Hi Libby. It's been forever since I've seen you, but I did see your mama at the miss Salem pageant. Just thought I'd drop you a little hello and see how you were. Congrats on expecting - that's wonderful! Hope you don't mind if I drop in every once in a while and see how you're doin!

SF Class of 2004 said...

Libby you have been blog stocked! You have been added as a link to SF class of 2004 blog. If there is anyone you know that was a graduate of Spanish Fork 2004 please comment any info on our blog. Thanks!

Jennie said...

Libby! We are so excited to find our about your special new arrival comig soon-- and to see you are doing so well! Your baby will be your biggest adventure yet! Love ya!

The Bruces

Bart and Kellie said...

This is so random, I'm related to Courtnie Cotterell (my sis married her brother) and I was looking at her blog and scrolled through her BYU friends (we have some in common) and saw your blog. The strange thing is I went to High School with DJ. It was a million years ago (we were in madrigals together at GVHS, my maiden name is Kellie Johnson) and he was only there I think one year and then moved. Just very funny and random to come across you this much later. Just wanted to say hi - glad to see you seem to be doing great and congrats on the baby, as everyone else has said, it such an amazing blessing and so much fun. Congrats again!!

Brett and Rachel said...

Libby, I just found your blog. This is Rachel, DJ's cousin. Congrats on the little boy! How is dental school going so far? Hope to see you guys at thanksgiving/christmas with your new bundle of joy!

Amanda K said...

You should be posting pictures of this baby pretty soon, but I just wanted to add my congratulations to all the rest. Hope to see you sometime when I'm back in Pittsburgh! Tell DJ that Tracy will be home in December for Christmas-- maybe things will work out for them to meet up if you aren't going to be in Utah already.

Colette said...

just hoping things are going ok, and wondering if that little guy is showing any signs of making an appearance. can't wait to see pics of him! keep us posted.

Amy F said...

So it's Sunday night and you are being induced tonight. We are thinking of you, and Michael prayed for baby Mack tonight.

Hope all goes well, and that we get to see him on this here blog sometime soon!! :)

Love you!

kami said...

i hope you are doing well! just thinking about you and wondering when this baby will be here...i can't wait to hear all about it and i hope everything is going well!