Being a Minority

That’s right, I’m a minority. Not because of my ethnicity, but due to my failure to adopt popular technology platforms. I don’t own a TV, a “smart” phone, a gaming system (except an old Ninetendo 64 that lives in the closet), or a new iPod (I do have a second generation Nano, and guess what, it still plays music just as well as a new one :O). Let me make one thing clear, my failure to adopt these technologies is by choice and not due to financial or intellectual constraints. So why don’t I adopt these popular technologies?

Technology should serve a need, not a self-esteem issue. Let me explain. Why should I buy a new and larger TV? Does having a larger/nicer TV really make media consumption that much better? I don’t believe that it does. (In fact, we actually just recently went from talking about upgrading from our 32 inch TV to getting rid of our TV altogether.)

When I get into my TV Zone (The state of becoming so engrossed in what I’m watching and hearing that I don’t hear or see my wife), I don’t realize what the size of the TV is. So say that on a 1 – 10 scale, 10 being the best, that I am watching a show on my computer that rates as an 8. Watching that show on a 50+ inch TV, with a great sounds system, will increase my satisfaction to maybe 8.25. So because I have a computer that I can watch television shows on, why do I need a TV? Is spending $800+ really worth the .25 increase in satisfaction? I don’t see it. It’s all about the law of diminishing returns. I probably reach the point of diminishing returns earlier then most.

Here is one more explanation for my decision. When you buy something expensive you feel obligated to justify your purchase by getting as much use out of it as possible. That makes sense right? However, do I really want to feel obligated to watch TV? TV was made for man, not man for the TV. In my opinion, TV watching and happiness have an inverse relationship; the more you watch, the more unhappy you become.

So if a larger TV doesn’t really contribute to making me happier, then why should I keep buying them? I can really boil my desire to buy a larger TV’s into two reasons. First, “A luxury once used, becomes a necessity.” Enough said on that one. Second, it’s because we got to keep up with the Jones’ and have begun to see technology as a status symbol and no longer as a tool. (This could be said of the housing market bubble as well) This is great news for consumer technology companies, but not so good for the overall well being of consumers. Kind of reminds me of the clothing industry. I have always found it funny that we are willing to pay a price premium for a t-shirt that has a brand name on it. Think about it, we are paying for the privilege to advertise some company’s brand at our own expense! To make matters worse, paying for the privilege of advertising a brand usually comes at the cost of the quality of the actual product. So you are essentially paying for a status symbol to help boast you self-esteem and aren’t primarily seeking to fulfill a need. Sounds like junior high all over again L

So what’s my point? Think before you buy and before you judge. Perhaps you will find a significant improvement in your happiness by having a new TV or by being an early adopter of new technologies. Perhaps you feel that the benefit really does outweigh the real cost and the opportunity cost associated with your purchase. However, some crazy people out there might not share those feelings and that’s okay too.

California

Matthew had a conference in Vegas last Thurs and Fri and so Brooklyn and I drove down with him and flew to California after that.  Besides the plane being 3 hrs late, we had a great time!  I had to document her first plane ride.  Luckily by the time we actually got in the air she was so tired that she passed out, which also allowed me to rest a little.  

We had so much fun playing with cousins and aunts and uncles and nanas and poppas! 

Jackson was such a sweetheart to Brooklyn and it was so fun to see Wade interact with her too!  I think Brooklyn learned a few tricks watching her cousins. 

 We also got to see GG and Poppa (my grandparents) and they loved her!  It was so much fun to watch Grandpa crawling on the floor playing peek-a-boo with Brooklyn!

 We got to go to this sweet girls baptism and be a part of her special day.  Matthew got to give the Baptism talk.  We also got to surprise Matt's parents who were there to celebrate Sydney's big day.  They didn't know we were going to be there too and it was great to see them, as always!

 Of course, what is a trip to California without the beach?  We were able to go twice and soak up the sun.  I loved seeing Brooklyn sleeping under the umbrella because it reminded me of my childhood!

 To add to our already great trip, we got to go to the pool three times!  At Kerstin's splash pad all the little babies had to wear these plastic underwear on top of their diapers and they were all out of the smaller sizes by the time we got there.  I think Brooklyn's face says it all!  haha

We can't wait until we get to see our family again at Lake Powell!  Only 29 more days!!!!

100!

For our 100th post we decided to have a party!!!  Brooklyn started dancing this week and I thought it was so fun. 

 I think she's got rhythm!  What do you think?

Dinner Time

This might only be funny to me and Matthew, but we thought it was pretty cute... so Enjoy!

He was behind me making funny faces and being a silly daddy.

Newest Member of the Family

B.O.B.

I absolutely love this stroller. It is the MacDaddy of all running strollers and is so light and easy to push. Normally they start around$300-400 dollars, but we found this one on KSL for $150! Score! We go over curbs, through mud, and all over the town with this guy. (Brooklyn is usually dressed when we do :) She loves being able to look out and see where we are going, and sits there just smiling the whole time.

P.S. We went to the Dr. today and found out Brooklyn is still a happy, healthy little girl. She did remember the shots though, because as soon as I put her on the paper, she screamed! She knew what was coming. Poor girl! It is so sad to see your baby cry.

Her stats this time were

39% for weight

93% for height

99% for head size!

(apparently all Bos babies have larger than life heads...it means she is extra smart!)

Sunday Photos

I realized that I didn't get a picture with Brooklyn on Mother's Day, so I am going to pretend that these are from last Sunday and say it was our special Mother's Day photo session. Anyways... enjoy!

And here are a couple from this past week that I thought were super cute. She likes to have her clothes off, but somehow her shoes and bow were still on... they are usually the first to go.

I love being a mommy!

To My One and Only

I can't believe it has been three years! It has flown by and been so much fun. I have enjoyed every minute of every day and look forward to many more years. Thank you for your patience, and respect. Thank you for sense of humor and your ability to laugh with me and at me. Thank you for giving me support and encouragement throughout my many endeavors. Thank you for going to work each and every day to support our family so well. Thank you for being such an upstanding priesthood holder and an example of selfless service. Thank you for helping me bring a beautiful daughter into the world. Thank you for being so excited to come home each day and play with her even though I know you are tired. Thank you for your love and for being such an amazing husband. I love you so much!

Happy Cinco de Mayo/Six Months!

Brooklyn's half birthday falls on Cinco de Mayo, so it will always be a fun way to celebrate! (Let's just hope she likes Mexican food :) I had to get some pictures of her turning 6 months so my talented husband took a bunch and then we celebrated by eating cupcakes. Brooklyn seemed to love them!

We sure do love having her in our life. She has brought so much joy and fulfillment into our family. It seems crazy that she is already six months but then it feels like she has been with us forever. Lately she loves to scream at the top of her lungs, play with all the kids at the park, and has just recently started giving me hugs! I love it! She is getting good at sitting up, can roll over whenever she wants, and has started to crawl (however she moves backward instead of forward...one day she will figure it out.) One of these days she will sleep through the night (fingers crossed) but for now, I am satisfied when she wakes up less than 3 times. She is such a happy girl and is always smiling. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Bos for singing half of the happy birthday song to her yesterday. We love our family! Happy 1/2 Birthday Brooklyn!

All cleaned up and screaming before bed!

Easter Eggstravaganza

The Easter bunny was a little under the weather this year, but we still managed a trip to Thanksgiving Point with Nana and Papa. Thanks for visiting! We had fun dyeing easter eggs, going to dinner and having family time. Brooklyn got a cute new easter dress so we had to take pictures.

Unfortunately her hair is messy in her Easter pictures...

...but that seems to be her M.O.

Lovin the Park!

Now that the weather has been a little bit warmer, Brooklyn and I love to go to the park. It has been so fun pushing her in the swing. She screams at the top of her lungs and gets so excited! She also loves staring at all the other kids at the park. I think she gets tired of seeing my face day and night so when there is somebody new, she loves it! I realized that I am in a new phase of my life as I am now a park mom meeting other park moms... I love it!