The Williamson Family

Family Vacation

2012-01-17T14:53:00.003-05:00

As I reflect back over the past few days, I am overjoyed at the opportunity that was afforded me and my little family to go on a family vacation. I believe this is the first REAL vacation we have been on since my boys are old enough to really enjoy and remember. Who could've guessed that 2 nights and 3 days could be loaded with so much fun!

First was the 6 1/2 hour drive to San Diego from St George! We rented a compact car to drive over and when we went to pick up the rental Friday night the young man working at the desk advised me that he had just given his last "car" away to the client who had just came before me. We reserved the smallest/cheapest car available. Unfortunately for the rental agency the only vehicle available was a sweet, Chrysler Town & Country Minivan! Yep... got it for $19 per day! Woot! We left before daylight on Saturday and as planned were walking on the sandy shore of Mission Beach by lunchtime! I didn't realize how much I had missed the ocean until I saw it. There is nothing more beautiful and awe inspiring than the beauty of the ocean... in my opinion. When I am staring out over the surf I am reminded of how small I am in the grand scheme of things. God has created for us the most beautiful world. How blessed I feel to be able to witness it on a daily basis.

The boys and the beach... Marky, Marky, Marky. Cloudy and sort of chilly weather did not keep him out of the water! I think he's going to be a beach bum like his Mama! After Mark tested the water and Jacob realized that he didn't cry or die... he followed right behind him. Two wet sandy boys! I love it! After we checked into our downtown hotel we decided to walk down to Petco Park where the Padres play baseball. On the walk down... about 20 blocks... Jacob had us stopping at every restaurant and bar to watch the NFL playoffs... he is a serious Saints fan! No idea where he came up with the Saints... Mom's a Dolphin fan...born in Miami and always a fan. Dad doesn't really have a favorite NFL team. I think it's great though. Anyways we had a great time hanging out downtown. The whole downtown vibe was so awesome! I really miss that... that is something I really miss from Orlando and Dallas and Cincinnati is that downtown atmosphere! And downtown SD is so nice and very clean!

Sunday we went to the zoo and then over to the USS Midway late in the afternoon! It was a terrific vacation. Probably the first real vacation we've been on as a family! I know... hard to believe with me being a travel agent... but it's true. We used to go to Disney and Universal and Sea World all the time when we lived in Orlando but they were too little to remember! In Cincinnati we has a membership to the zoo but again... their memories of it are very vague. This was a great vacation and we are really looking forward to doing it again soon!

I deserve to BE a mom they can be proud of!

2012-01-09T20:38:00.003-05:00

As I begin week 2 of 2012 and week 2 of my diet, I am happy to say that I have lost 12 lbs so far! Yippee! Only 15 lbs to go... or 20 or maybe 25. I would love nothing more than to be 145 lbs by my 45th birthday! That is "almost" what I weighed when I got married in 2003! I've said it before and I'll say it again... I can't believe I've let myself get here... again!

I guess I've known for a long time that my weight would always be a struggle for me. I have watched my mother (and father) struggle with their weight my whole life. I remember when I was a young girl and the doctors diagnosed my mother with osteoarthritis. It must've been the early 1970's. There were not a lot of arthritis medications and pain relievers available like we have today. But what I remember (and never forgot) was my mom saying that her doctor told her, the best thing she could do for the arthritis was to lose weight! She never did. Well, I take that back she did lose a lot of weight one time a when I was a teenager... she looked great and felt great but she gained it all back a few years later. And never lost it again.

Over the past several years I have begun to reap the blessing of arthritis... got it in my fingers and my knees. FUN! But mom preaches to me on a regular basis... "Julie, don't do what I did!" "Get that weight off now. Look at me, do you want to be like this when you are older?" "Exercise!" "Get healthy, and stay healthy!" Mom bought me my first jumbo-Costco Size-bottle of glucosamine/chondroitin! I was running everyday at the time and my knees were hurting so badly at the end of my run. But after about a week of taking them (helps with joints and stuff) the pain stopped. Very cool. As long as mom is alive and living in my home she will be a constant reminder of why I need to get my poop in a groove and get this weight off once and for all. I do not want that for me! Nope!

Anyways... this is the last time.... I've said it before but this time I REALLY mean it. It has to be. I'm going to be 45 years old this year and I just can't keep doing this. This will be the 4th or maybe 5th time I have done this! The older I get the harder it gets and I am just so done. I'm ready to look good and feel good and have all the extra energy I can get so I can keep up with my little guys! They deserve to have a mom they can be proud of and I deserve to BE a mom they can be proud of!

Day One

2012-01-02T12:58:00.002-05:00

Today begins a total health revival for myself! No more sugar - no carbs and no fat for 1 month! I have set a goal to be 145 lbs by the time I am 45. I have about 100 days to do it! I hope that putting this in writing will keep me on track!

New Years Day 2012

2012-01-01T13:01:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it's been 2 1/2 years since I last posted on this blog. Right after I made my last post my life changed in a big way. We decided to take a trip out west to visit my mother in Utah and me and the kids have not been back. We decided that St George was where we needed to be. Closer to family, especially my mother.

Since May of 2009, I have started a new business... JT Wills Travel... and Tim has gone back to school to finish his degree in English at DSC. He has 1 more year to go. We have mom living with us and are watching after and caring for her. I love this opportunity.

While the past 2 1/2 years have been some of the most trying times in my life... financially, physically, emotionally and Spiritually... I am grateful for the challenges which have helped me to learn and grow as a person. But quite frankly, I'm a little tired of it. Haha!

I am not going to make a bunch of resolutions that I can't keep. I have decided to take it one day and one month at a time so by the time this year is over I have taken control of my life again. Don't get me wrong... the Lord, will always have control of my life. Meaning.. I will always try to follow His will... but starting now... I am going to spend January getting back on track health wise... exercise, diet etc. By February I hope to have a full time job SOMEWHERE... that will lift some of the financial burden that we have been living under for so long. And each day I am going to try to do all the little things I know I need to do that just makes me a happier woman! ie: saying my prayers, reading scriptures, spending quality time with my boys and attending the temple on a regular basis. For so long the closest temple was 2 hours away! I attended more then than I do now with one right down the road! All these things just make my days so much better.

Happy New Year!

TimeOut for Women

2009-05-17T01:00:00.002-05:00

This weekend was by far one of the best weekends of my life! As the team leader for TOFW here in Cincinnati I was able to watch 7 months of hard work come together into an amazingly inspired event!

Each of the presenters taught me something unique about myself, my Savior and my relationship with my family and with the Lord.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants the best for me.(and my family) I know that He will not give me more than I can handle with the help of Jesus Christ. I know that He gives me chance after chance to get things right and that today I can make a personal decision not to do certain things in my life... not even once. I know that the personality of the Savior is one of patience and love and understanding and grace! He wants me to try again when things don't quite go the way they should.

We all have our own journey to travel, our own stories to tell, but somehow knowing that I have a Father in Heaven who knows my name and a Savior who has felt exactly what I feel helps me to try harder, to be better, to love more, to live more and look forward to a bright future with my family forever by Their side!

Easter Sunday!

2009-04-12T18:11:00.003-05:00

In Memory of....

2009-03-30T15:08:00.001-05:00

Today, In memory of Papa Caplin and Grandma Margaret, we helped the boys plant two flower plants. The purple plant is for Grandma Margaret who died March 29, 2008 and the Gold and black flowers are for Papa who died March 29, 2007. We miss them so much!

Spring has Sprung!

2009-03-23T06:16:00.004-05:00

Jacob's PreK Christmas Concert

2008-12-21T20:19:00.003-05:00

This is a clip of one of the songs they sang at their concert on Friday... just in case... Jacob is the boy on the end of first row...

2008-12-13T21:18:00.000-05:00

We had a great time at our Ward Christmas Party!
Jacob did great in the program! And they managed to stay
awake long enough to get to sit on Santa's lap!

Williamson Look-alike Meter

2008-12-06T15:33:00.001-05:00

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Williamson Look-alike Meter

2008-12-06T15:26:00.001-05:00

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Vintage photos - Family pics

Thanksgiving Weekend 2008

2008-11-28T19:05:00.009-05:00

These are photos of our visit to Woodland Mound State Park. Parts of the park overlook the Ohio River. Jacob led us on a nature hike. He knew the way because his PreK class had taken a field trip to this same park a few weeks ago. We had a great time... it was pretty cold but we still had fun!

Apple Orchards and Pumpkin Patches!

2008-10-04T18:46:00.003-05:00

Jacob peddling!

2008-09-02T12:09:00.003-05:00

Labor Day 2008 - East Fork Lake - Ohio

2008-09-01T19:00:00.000-05:00

2008-08-06T07:24:00.000-05:00

This is our resident Power Ranger! Keeping the Neighborhood safe for all the children!
Oh- Oh Power Rangers!

Summer Swimming

2008-07-14T15:12:00.001-05:00

We have really gotten our $$'s worth at the YMCA this summer! We are there everyday, sometimes twice a day! Swimming and exercising and stuff!

2008-07-10T10:38:00.002-05:00

Today we had our Union Township Fire Department come to the church for our play group! It was so fun! They spoke to all the children about fire saftey and making a plan for our family. All of the kids got to walk through the fire truck and take a turn sitting in the drivers seat! The most exciting part for Mark was a baby frog he found! Mommy caught it and they all took turns holding the little guy until he was traumatized and finally escaped!

All the kids we given fire hats and sticker badges making them honorary firefighters!

Trophy Day

2008-05-17T11:49:00.000-05:00

Today was the final game of the season and Jacob
was awarded his very first trophy!
Way to go Jakey!!

Mother's Day Fashion Show/Program

2008-05-06T10:58:00.003-05:00

Lawn Mowin'

2008-05-04T10:06:00.001-05:00

Soccer Practice

2008-05-01T10:19:00.003-05:00

Jacob's Soccer Game

2008-05-01T09:51:00.002-05:00

When Grandma comes HURRAY!

2008-04-24T06:52:00.001-05:00

Grandma came to visit this week for Julie and Jacob's birthdays! We had a wonderful visit and will really miss her!

2008-03-09T07:56:00.000-05:00

Tim shoveling snow!

Holiday Season - 2007

2008-01-06T19:28:00.000-05:00

Christmas this year was a real treat! The boys were so much fun and made the season so wonderful! We spent Thanksgiving with Grandma and the cousins in Chiefland and had a great time. You can check out the slide show at the bottom of the page for all our fun pictures from our trip!

We are looking forward to 2008!

Backyard Camp Out

2007-05-12T15:43:00.000-05:00

We had great time camping out in the back yard! This was our first family campout! Maybe next time we will actually sleep outside and then the NEXT time maybe we will leave the backyard and go to a campground somewhere!!

Backyard Camp Out

2007-05-12T15:38:00.000-05:00

Backyard Camp Out

2007-05-12T15:33:00.000-05:00

St George Visit

2007-03-24T13:45:00.000-05:00

Visit To St George

2007-03-24T13:43:00.000-05:00

Pictures from Zoo and Mee Maw Pa Paw Visit!

2007-03-19T09:39:00.000-05:00

Snow Days

2007-02-18T09:22:00.000-05:00

I guess this is what an Ohio winter is all about. These are photos from over the past month or so...

Marky's First Birthday!

2007-01-20T16:12:00.000-05:00

We had a great time celebrating Mark's first birthday!

Our friend Trish made the yummy Elmo cake! Doesn't it look great?!

Mark liked smashing his cupcake around better than eating it, or so it seemed at first... once he figured out how good it tasted then the fun began!

It's hard to believe it's been a year already! Time really flies when you have kids!

Holidays at the Williamson's

2007-01-04T08:47:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve together as a family. We acted out Jesus' birth by dressing up as shepards and as Joseph and Mary. The boys had a good time. We read about the Christ child's birth from both Luke and 3 Nephi. Afterwards we set a plate of cookies and a glass of milk on the table for Santa.

Vacation - First Leg - Chiefland

2006-12-04T15:58:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving day! The weather was perfect for our Thanksgiving feast to be held outdoors which is exactly where we had it! It was great to spend time with family and to see Nana too!

Vacation - First Leg - Chiefland

2006-12-04T15:37:00.000-05:00

Vacation - 1st Leg - Chiefland/Thanksgiving

2006-12-04T15:21:00.000-05:00

We had so much fun in Chiefland with all of the family. These are pictures from the boardwalk at Manatee Springs and from Cedar Key. And of course from Meema and Papa's house!

Vacation - 2nd Leg - Disney Village

2006-12-04T15:15:00.000-05:00

Vacation - 2nd Leg - Disney Breakfast

2006-12-04T15:04:00.000-05:00

We started our day off early at breakfast with the characters! Breakfast was inside the Magic Kingdom at 8:15am. As you can see from the pictures we had a lot of fun!

Vacation - 2nd Leg - Disney

2006-12-04T14:43:00.000-05:00

We had a great day at Disney. We practically had the park to ourselves! Jake was a real trooper he hung in there until after 3:00pm. Meema and Papa were troopers too! It was great to have them share in the fun of the day!

Vacation - Third Leg

2006-12-04T14:28:00.000-05:00

These photos are from our stay at the Ocean Walk in Daytona Beach! What a great place! We had such a fun and relaxing time here! The weather was even warm enough for a swim. The boys really loved the pool and the beach!

Vacation - Fourth Leg

2006-12-04T14:21:00.000-05:00

These are photos from our trip from Daytona Beach up to see Grandma Margaret. The torpedo is at the Georgia welcome center. Then the pictures of the family with Grandma Margaret are at her retirement home. We enjoyed our visit with her very much.

Jake and Mommy's First Date

2006-11-04T20:41:00.000-05:00

Today Mommy and Jake went on our first date! We went to see Aladdin Jr. at the children's theater in downtown Cincinnati! We had a great time and look forward to having another date next month when we go to see Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer! Fun!

How do I look?

2006-11-04T20:40:00.000-05:00

Trunk or Treat

2006-10-28T15:05:00.000-05:00

This week our ward held their annual Trunk or Treat activity. This is where people decorate their (open)trunks and hand out candy to the kids. The kids dress up in their Halloween costumes and go from trunk to trunk instead of from house to house. It is always a good time! Jake had an exceptionally good time this year as he has figured out what it's all about.... CANDY!

Here are some pictures from the nights festivities! Enjoy!

Bam Bam!!

2006-10-19T14:52:00.000-05:00

Cowboy Jake

2006-09-28T11:26:00.000-05:00

Meemaw and Papa hooked Jake up with his first pair of cowboy boots this week! Yee Haw! They go great with his hat and 6 shooters! Pow! Pow!

Oh... and check out the law... Deputy Betty!

Apple Picking Day

2006-09-17T10:13:00.000-05:00

We had a great time with Maama and Papa picking apples. We went to Iron's Fruit Farm in Lebanon, Ohio (about 40 minutes from our house) We picked Golden Delicious, Cortlands and Jonathon's. I think we all like the Cort's the best! Jake got a little worn out towards the end, but he managed!

Bathtime!

2006-09-05T11:01:00.000-05:00

Jake and Marky taking a bath... Jake is giving his little brother a kiss on the nose! Mmwaa!

A cry for help from Mark... Jakey keeps pouring water on my head Mom!

Not me! No way!

Jakey! Stop it!

Go Spartans!

2006-08-28T09:52:00.000-05:00

Ben played in his first HS game as a freshman this past Saturday! He did a great job! He played both offense and defense. On offense he carried the ball for a yard or two...(running back) but on defense he did even better... he intercepted the ball and carried it to about their 20 yd line! Way to go Ben!! The Spartans won 41 -6!

His next game is this Wednesday night!

Meet the Team Night

2006-08-28T09:45:00.000-05:00

Jake and Mark at Meet the Team Night last week! They were excited to be there and had a great time!

My Little Cowboys!

2006-08-23T05:11:00.000-05:00

Yee! Haww!!

The Garden

2006-08-11T08:53:00.000-05:00

Jake has done such a great job with the garden. He helped plant the seeds. He has watered it and checked on it everyday. He has been very attentive and excited as they have begun to produce fruits. Today was a very exciting day because he got to pick his first fruit. A beautiful red Roma tomato!

Jake and His Garden!

2006-08-11T08:44:00.000-05:00

Look at the tomato I picked today! The very first one from my garden! Yippee!

Mr. Mark!

2006-08-10T13:06:00.000-05:00

He loves his pretzel rods!! Mmm, mmm, good!

Just Another Day at the Zoo...

2006-07-03T13:43:00.000-05:00

Today we went to the Zoo with Sandy. We had lots of fun... but soon it got too hot and we had to go home for naps.

Jake Tickling Mark!

2006-06-24T18:56:00.000-05:00

Jake had Marky laughing sooo hard! It was tooo cute!

Marky Pictures

2006-06-15T13:56:00.000-05:00

Mark is getting soo big and so fun!!

Flippin' Play Dough Burgers

2006-06-05T15:15:00.000-05:00

Jake made this play dough burger... when he finished pounding it out, he stepped over to the cabinet and pulled out a pan and then pulled a spatula from the drawer and started cookin'!

Papa! I burned my hand!

2006-06-04T16:28:00.000-05:00

This is Jacob calling Papa to tell him that he burned his hand this morning when he picked up Mommy's curling iron. Ouchy!!

A Pitch in the Face!

2006-05-29T15:28:00.000-05:00

Today at our ward picnic, Jake took a baseball to the cheek! Brother Ben was practicing his pitch and Jake stepped into the path. *SMACK*

It was amazing... after a few kisses from Mommy and a piece of fried chicken he was good to go. I can only imagine what it will look like tomorrow! *Yikes*

The Carnival

2006-05-29T15:26:00.000-05:00

Cincinnati Zoo

2006-05-17T14:04:00.000-05:00

Today I took Jake and Mark to the Cincinnati Zoo.

The world famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is rated the #1 attraction in Cincinnati and one of the top five zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey. It has also been recognized by Child Magazine as one of "The 10 Best Zoos for Kids." Over 1.2 million people visit the Zoo's award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3,000 plant species annually.

Jacob liked the gorillas, the rhinos and the bears but I think his favorite today was the giraffe and the Okapi... the Okapi is kin to the giraffe but it has stripes on it's legs like a zebra... http://www.cincyzoo.org/Exhibits/AnimalExhibits/VanishingGiants/okapi/okapi.html
Mark's favorite part was the train ride.

We only went for a couple of hours so we were not able to see everything. But we have a zoo membership so we will see more next time!

Enjoy the pictures!

Mother's Day From The Boys!

2006-05-14T08:18:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Corn on the Jake!

2006-05-10T13:57:00.000-05:00

Jake and I had a great time today shucking corn! He did a great job!

Happy Easter!

2006-04-16T18:38:00.000-05:00

Our home teacher, Bro. Riggs got Jacob a new bike for his birthday!!

Jacob turns 2!!!

2006-04-15T18:04:00.000-05:00

We had a great day celebrating Jacob's 2nd birthday! We played outside alot. Helped Dada work in the yard.

Mark was a good boy today... he helped us celebrate Jake's birthday by being such a happy baby. He even giggled for the first time today!

We can always count on Jakey to give us a great big smile! Cheese!!

And finally.... cake and ice cream!

Jacob turns 2!!

2006-04-15T17:58:00.000-05:00

Jake's birthday is actually on Easter Sunday this year so we wanted to separate the two special days.

He started his special day at his new picnic table eating his favorite breakfast.... waffles!

It took us a year... but we finally got him some sand for his sandbox. He got the sandbox last year for his birthday!

Happy Birthday Dada!

2006-04-10T07:28:00.000-05:00

We had a great day celebrating Dada's 41st Birthday! Jake helped Mama bake the cake (by licking the spatula).

Sunday Boys!

2006-04-10T07:24:00.000-05:00

Manatee Springs

2006-04-01T14:21:00.000-05:00

We struck it lucky this trip to the springs. We saw 4 manatees! One in the run and 3 in the springs! If you look closely at the photos you can see them too!

Manatee Springs with Janielle and kids!

2006-04-01T14:20:00.000-05:00

Manatee Springs...

2006-04-01T11:48:00.000-05:00

2006-04-01T11:45:00.000-05:00

Sea World March 2006

2006-04-01T11:43:00.000-05:00

We had a great time at Sea World. Jake was so much fun! He really got into everything there!

Sea World March 2006

2006-04-01T11:38:00.000-05:00

2006-03-28T12:51:00.000-05:00

Mark and Jake!!

2006-03-05T17:06:00.000-05:00

Elder Williamson

2006-03-05T16:21:00.000-05:00

Say Cheese!!

2006-03-02T11:40:00.000-05:00

Mark in his crochet booties!

2006-02-17T11:17:00.000-05:00

Hip Hop Brothers

2006-02-08T14:56:00.000-05:00

Jake was wearing his beanie around the house today and of course I had to get a picture of him with his little brother!! As you can see... Jake is quite yhe drummer too!!

2006-02-08T13:56:00.000-05:00

Dancing with Turtle!!

Mark

2006-02-05T13:01:00.000-05:00

Mark's Blessing Day

2006-01-29T17:10:00.000-05:00

Welcome Mark!

2006-01-21T11:38:00.000-05:00

Mark Daniel Williamson
Born: January 18, 2006
Time: 6:11PM
Weight: 6 lbs 10 oz
Length: 19 1/2 Inches

He looks so much like Jake did when he was born. We are so blessed to have two heathly sons!

Seasons Greetings!

2005-12-26T20:55:00.000-05:00

Frosty!!

2005-12-10T15:03:00.001-05:00

Our first real snow storm!!

2005-12-09T14:23:00.000-05:00

Popcorn with Gamma and Pappa

2005-12-01T14:36:00.000-05:00

Holiday Train!

2005-11-25T16:08:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving Snow!

2005-11-24T18:03:00.000-05:00

Fall Festival

2005-10-15T14:51:00.000-05:00

Fall Festival

2005-10-15T14:28:00.000-05:00

This morning we went to a fall festival at Shaw Farm in Milford, OH. We had a great time together as a family enjoying the beautiful, sunny fall day! Here are a few pictures to help you share in our day!

The Petting Zoo

2005-09-20T07:15:00.000-05:00

A Day Out With Thomas

2005-09-20T06:53:00.000-05:00

2005-08-27T11:47:00.000-05:00

This morning we got up early for a family trip to the temple. We got Jake out of bed and in the car by 6:05am and we were on the road shortly after.

It's about a 90 minute drive to the temple. We were excited to see it and attend. We weren't quite sure what to expect because this temple is one of the newer "small" temples.

When they say small they mean it. The temple parking lot is actually the parking lot for the Stake Center. (They are side by side) There is only one endowment room and well... that's about all I should say... but it was so awesome! It serves it's purpose regardless of size!

Tim and I took turns taking care of Jake so we could both go in. Jake was an angel. I don't know if it was the Spirit of the temple or just a good day, but he was so much fun. He walked all over the temple grounds smelling flowers and climbing up and down the stairs.

We made it home by lunch time and just relaxed the rest of the day. We are looking forward to making this a monthly excursion!

Here are few pictures...

Welcome to Cincy!!

2005-07-15T08:07:00.000-05:00