iLove

I recieved an iPhone for Christmas from my parents. This gift was one that I thought long and hard about. For a long time I was pretty convinced that I did NOT want an iPhone or any smart phone. I was content with my old standard free upgrade phone. It finally got to the point though where I had to shake my phone and hit it to get the screen to show so I knew that I needed to make my decision about what phone to get next.

Here are my reasons why I was very hestitant:
1. Did I really wanted to be connected to the whole world all the time? Before this I did not have internet access on  my phone and sometimes it was nice not to have to be connected.
2. People who have iPhones are addicted to their phone. They are constantly on it and it can be hard to feel like you are having a genuine converstaiton with somebody when they are looking at their phone all the time. I didn't want to become that person.
3. When I'm with Eva, or really anybody that I care about, I want my full attention to be one them. Not only did I not want to be addicted to my phone, I didn't even want the option of constantly checking my phone or the internet.
4. I'm not that into the latest technology fads. VCR? Had it until a few years ago. Blue Ray? No thank you. Most of the time technology upgrades are just an added expense and I don't feel like they improve the joy in my life. Yes, it was nice a few years ago when we got a new TV but my life was fine with the old one.
5. Thievery. I never worried that somebody would take my old phone when we were at the swimming pool and it was in the stroller. If they had the joke would have been on them. The same thing applies to letting Eva carry it around the house. Now I'm more cautious about where I leave my phone. 

But obviously, I did end up deciding to get an iPhone. I went with the 4s because it is more compatible with things we already have (like our iHome) and Ryan and I could share car and house chargers (he has a 4S too). And honestly.... I LOVE IT. There. I said it. You totally won my over Apple company. You were right iPhone users before me. You told me so, Ryan Bradley.

Here are my reasons why I love my phone:
1. The quality of camera. My old phone had a camera but it wasn't good. This camera takes great photos and even the video quality is so clear. Before I always carried my extra camera with me but now I can save space in the diaper bag.
2. The quality of texting. I thought I would hate not having a key pad but I don't mind at all now. I like how the texts look like a conversation. It is so easy to send a quick photo of Eva to my mom. My old phone only held a limited  number of texts so I was constatnly having to go in and delete them, the iPhone holds a gazillion texts. Plus I can now read group texts! Before I would have to awkwardly text the person back and let them know that my phone wouldn't open their message. Lame.
3. Instagram and Pic Stich. For somebody that loves sharing photos from their life these aps are awesome. And I enjoy seeing everybody else's photos!
4. Pinterst Ap. It is so conventient to have this. I actually do/make a lot of what I pin so this is so conventient. I can use it to cook from in the kitchen (instead of my laptop) or I can look up something in the store.
5. Pandora Ap. Free music? Fun!
6. Target/Walmart/Costco Aps. I can see what is on sale.
7. AnyList Ap. This allows me to make my grocery list on my phone, store the items I buy weekly (so I don't have to renenter them), and cross off things as I shop. Seriously, this ap has changed how I make my grocery list. It even puts things in catergories so it is organized and trips to the store are quicker. Get this ap!
8. Facebook Ap. Because let's be honest, who doesn't want to instantly know what everybody thinks and is up to?
9. Hobby Lobby Ap. The 40% off coupon is just a click away.
10. Internet Broswer on the go. Want to know anything about anything any time of the day anywhere you are? Google it.
11. Email. I am not an email junkie. I mostly assume that people wouldn't email me important info very often so before I was terrible about checking my email. Having it on my phone makes it easier for me to check it and delete it quickly, no more 350 messages left waiting in my inbox. I also get coupons emailed from different stores and restaurants and it was so nice to be able to just show them my phone instead of having to print off a coupon and remember to take it with me. 
12. Toddler Aps. I do not use my phone as a babysitter but it is nice to occasionally be able to let Eva play games on it when we are waiting at a restaurant or the doctor's office. We even got the Fisher Price apptivity case that holds your iPhone more securely so that when we are all three in the car together I can put my phone in it and hand it to her in the backseat during long car rides. She doesn't realize that I almost always have this with me so she doesn't expect it, but it's nice when we need it.
13. Google maps. When we got a Garmin for the car a few years ago it would be an understatement to say it was a good thing. So long Mapsco and printed Mapquest directions! And with the map ap on my phone I can even find a place online and it will tell me exactly how to get there!
14. Voice command. Yes, the 4s is worth it for Siri. I like being able to ask, "Where is the nearest__?" or saying, "Call__." I realize that some other phones have this feature but my old one didn't.
15. I'm cool now. Before, kids I knew would ask to see my phone (as in younger kids, not teenagers) and when they would ask me what my phone could do I would answer, "Make calls." That was basically it. Now when people see me stroll into the room they can tell I'm a iPhone user. Hahaha, okay so  I know that doesn't really make me any cooler, but it's fun to pretend.

There you have it. My confessions about all the wonderful things an iPhone can do. I am still very guarded against using it too often when I should be doing better things or having real conversations. But I would recommend that you get one. UwillLove it.