Lovin' Every Minute of It!

GOIN' PRIVATE!

2009-05-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

Please email me all of your email addresses so I can invite you to our blog. I am going to have this be a private blog from now on.

Thanks!!!

email me at fooshniki@live.com

EMAIL ME QUICK!!! :)

Habit Appliance #1. One more to go.

2009-04-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

She was actually excited to go to the dentist to get her habit appliance put on.

To be honest, I am not quite sure she really knew what it was. Or that it would be turning her life upside down. Or at least her sleeping life upside down.

She has gotten to the point where she will only suck her fingers at night when she is sleeping. I am really nervous about tonight. I am expecting not to sleep all that much!!

She is waiting for the dentist and still really excited.

TA DA!!!

I know, my camera is a piece of garbage!! The pictures suck.

And you can't even tell it is there. . .

She was a champ! She didn't cry and didn't seem scared. The dentist said she was his favorite appointment of the day and of the week because she did everything he asked her too.

I hope the investment works and she will stop sucking her fingers! If it works well, Landon will be next.

Swarm Ball

2009-04-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

One of the sports activities that Korbin wanted to play in this spring/summer is Soccer. We signed him up and then got a call several weeks later that said they didn't have a coach for the team and the kids wouldn't be able to play unless they found one.

In case you can't tell, this is JJ kneeling as the COACH (haha) with the kids before their first game. He didn't want Korbin to miss out on playing soccer so he offered to be the coach.

It has been nick named "Swarm Ball" because the boys all charge the ball. It is really fun to watch. You can tell they have all been taught well on how to share and not hurt others, because once everyone gets close to the ball no one will kick it. They will look at each other giving the look of "you go ahead first"!!

Here is Korbin taking his turn at Goalie. He is dancing if you look closely. We all know how important the requirement of dancing is when you are a goalie! Ha ha ha :)

Next up T-Ball. Can't wait.

Finally...A post!! Amazing

2009-04-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

This is as good as the Easter Pictures got! They did not want to have a picture taken and were hopped up on sugar from the Easter Bunny resulting in 1 semi-decent picture out of about 25 taken.

This year the Easter Bunny brought baskets full of bubbles, chocolate and super cool Rocket Blasters.

We had a great family day and the weather was beautiful. Couldn't have asked for a better day.

Blogger's Block A.K.A. Writer's Block

2009-04-09T20:13:00.001-07:00

It Sucks!!

Come What May and "Trying" to Love it.

2009-03-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

I am finally in a place where I can write about this. . . December 5, 2008 we found out that we will not be having anymore children.

7 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome), oddly enough this is not the reason why we can not have another baby. Because of this lovely disease I struggled to conceive with 2 out of my 3 children. After several infertility treatments I was able to conceive my first two children. Shockingly, when my number 2 baby was 6 months old, my number 3 baby just happened! I had mixed emotions when I found out I was pregnant with Landon. I was thrilled to be adding another sweet baby to our home, but was so sad that Hadlie would have to grow out of babydom so quickly. But because of our history of infertility I took it for what it was worth. We felt like Landon needed to come to be a part of our family at that time!

Landon was about 3 months old when I started feeling there was still one more. Maybe I am cuckoo, but I just knew that I needed to have this one baby. I knew that once she was here my family would be complete. The small yearning to have this baby slowly grew into a feeling that consumed my life (and still does). I feel blessed and am very grateful to have the 3 children that I do. That I was able to experience the joys of being pregnant and experiencing the amazing feat of labor. And of course the joy of Motherhood.

I have struggled many many times since December with finding peace with our new situation. I felt like our trial and lessons to be learned with infertility was accomplished with my first pregnancy. Now I know that I did not learn the lesson I needed to the first time.

In the October 2008 session of conference Elder Worthlin gave a talk titled "Come What May and Love It". I have clung to the words in this talk and am continuing to apply them in my life. JJ and I attended the temple two weeks ago and this brought me such comfort. I don't think I have cried once at the sight of a random stranger with a huge pregnant belly, since we went to the temple. :) Yay me!!!

Knowing what I know now and reflecting back on baby number 3 "just happening" reminds me that this is not my plan or my timeline that I am living. I am continually amazed at how much the Lord knows me and gives me certain blessings and trials when I need them most. My faith has been tried and my testimony has grown because of this trial. I think because I know what I am missing out on, this has been one of the most difficult situations for me. Even harder than when I couldn't get pregnant for the first time.

I have made a few goals to help me move on:

1. Be the best mom I can be to my 3 children

2. Stop trying to analyze situations that are out of my control

3. Be the best mom I can be to my 3 children

4. Really take the time that I have been given to focus on me

2009-03-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take some time and blog about the women I love. We first met when I swept her off of her feet with my dashing good looks and charm. OK so some of that is true. We met through my cousin and Heidi was not my biggest fan, but like a good fungus I grow on you and she eventually agreed to a pity double date that never turned out well. Time went on and we spent a long night talking about our likes,dislikes, futures. It was then I knew I wanted her to be my wife. We were engaged and then married on June 2, 2000. Many of you know her as Heidi but I know her as super mom, and Mrs. everything..... She takes care of it all and does it with a smile the whole time she thinks of everyone but herself.

I am thankful everyday to have Heidi in my life and when I watch her with the kids it just warms my heart. She has great faith and that only strengthens mine. I want to tell you Heidi that I love you more and more each day and you are my rock. I love you..

I am learning!

2009-03-09T19:10:00.000-07:00

I would say about a year or so ago I started feeling this incessant need to start my food storage for my family. When I actually started to think about what would happen if I could not take care of my family in case of an emergency, it really scared me. With the help of my mom I am learning how to start my food storage. We have 72 hour kits but felt like I was missing something.

Thanks to a friends blog, a new website is part of my favorties!! http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net

This is the best website for dummies like me. I really had no clue about some of the stuff that would be important to have on hand or ready to go "just in case". Please take a look at it! It tells you how to get started and direction on taking "baby steps" to be prepared. And it is SUPER user friendly. Good luck!! :)

Has it really been 3 years???

2009-03-05T07:34:00.000-08:00

Where has the time gone? After fertility treatments with my first two children, Landon was our "Surprise". Hadlie was 6 months old when we found out I was pregnant with Landon. At first I didn't know what to think. It still feels like such a blur because time went so fast.

March 5, 2006

My pregnancy with Landon was relatively easy. I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, and that happened to be my only complication. I handled it well and because of it, I really knew his routine with the foods I ate.

On a Saturday night I ate dinner and noticed he was not moving like he normally would after I ate. I dismissed it thinking that I was getting close to the end and there was not much room for movement. The next morning I purposely ate a piece of toast with Jelly and had a glass of Root Beer hoping the sugar would get him moving. We headed to church and I sat waiting to feel his movements. Still there was nothing.

We left church after Sacrament so I could call the Dr. He had us come in right away to get monitored. I was not having contractions but the monitors were showing decelerations in his heart rate. For this reason, they admitted me and induced me.

They started me on the "PIT" drip and within in two hours or so I had my first real contraction. I had my epidural because the Dr. freaked me out saying he was going to be a big baby because of the Gestational Diabetes. Lucky me, the epidural did not take. (If I have the opportunity to have a next time, I won't be getting the epidural because it almost kills me every time. My heart rate drops and the nurse always starts to freak out. But that is another story for another day.)

From the first real contraction to the time Landon was born was only 3 hours and 45 minutes. His labor was the easiest I have had. He came into the world weighing 7lbs 14oz and 18 1/2" long. When he was born the cord was wrapped around his neck and he was a bit blue. I am so glad that I really was in tune with him and our story ended well. I hate to think of what could have been if I didn't call the Dr.

He was this round little baby because he was so short. He was so cute and I can remember feeling the most familiar feeling with him. I can also remember feeling a bit overwhelmed. When he was born he had the LOUDEST cry I have heard from a newborn baby. Normally that would not be a big issue, except he started crying the day he was born and did not stop for at least 18 months. The only break we ever got was when he was asleep.

Every little accomplishment Landon had, he would become a happier baby. I really think he was angry that he was not born with the ability to walk and talk and be free to do what he wanted.

At this point in my life, I can look back and say how happy I am that he is a part of our family. I have always been grateful for the blessing of having another baby, but things were hard for the first two years.

I can look into Landon's eyes and know that he is supposed to be here at this time. He makes our home a fun one.

He has a way of looking at me and smiling with his ear to ear smile that seems to make everything better for me.

Happy Birthday Landon!!! You are my heart. I love you.

Love ~ Mom

REJECTION - - Fear of it at any age, even 6.

2009-02-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

We took a trip to Tai Pan last week to browse. We got to the flower section and Korbin threw an absolute fit about buying a flower for someone at school. After many many minutes poking and proding about who the flower was going to be for he very quietly said "Avery". Oh great! Another girl that he has a crush on.

I told him no, because I don't think he needs to be encouraged (at the age of 6) to be buying or taking flowers to anyone. Of course he threw a tantrum and we tried our best to ignore him and the outbursts of wanting to woo someone.

***Spoiler alert***
You will find out that I am the best mom in the world because I decided to give into my 6 year old sons complaining, wining, and outbursts. Ha Ha. ( I am pretty sure I am not the only one that has done this during motherhood )

As I mentioned before I gave into Korbin. I did not buy him a flower, but I compromised with him. (ok bribed) I told him that if he was good the rest of the time I would let him look at some of my fake flowers that I use for hair clips and he could have one.

As we left the store, I really really wanted him to forget I had mentioned anything about having a flower for him. But I couldn't be so lucky, he asked for it first thing when we walked into the door. He forgot about taking the flower to Avery for a whole week. I was hoping it would be for forever.

This morning on the way to school, he said today is the day! I am going to give Avery her flower. All I can picture in my head is a phone call from a teacher about angry parents.

When I go to pick Korbin up the first thing I asked him about was the flower and what happened. He said that he didn't give the flower to Avery but to another boy! WHAT?? I was a bit confused. He said he gave it to his friend to give to his friend's mom. Korbin was too nervouse to give it to her.

I am more than relieved this is how this little situation turned out but also learned that fear of rejection starts really early. Korbin is such a sweetheart and tries to be a Casanova. I think I am in over my head for when the teenage years get here.

A to Z about me.

2009-02-17T09:58:00.000-08:00

I saw that Heidi tagged me 7 days ago! Wow, I have not been on the computer for a while.

A to Z about ME
A–Attached or Single: Attached to JJ for the last 8 years
B–Best Friend: Probably my mom next to JJ
C–Cake or Pie: I used to say cake, but I am having this new appreciation for pie.
D–Day of Choice: Any day of the week that JJ does not have to work.
E–Essential Item: Gum it gives my mouth something to do
F–Favorite Color: Red
G–Greatest Accomplishment: Having 3 beautiful babies
H–Hometown: Spanish Fork
I–Indulgences: Getting my nails done
J–January or July: July
K–Kids: Korbin, Hadlie and Landon
L–Life is incomplete without: My Family
M–Marriage Date: June 2, 2000
N–Number of Siblings: Four
O–Oranges or Apples: Apples
P–Phobias or fears: fear **Spiders!!!**
Q–Quotes: “I see how you are.” Thanks Todd :)
R–Reason to Smile: My kiddos
S–Season: Fall! The colors, and the weather.
T–Tag 5 Friends: Brooke, Amy, Angie, Ang, Mandy
U–Unknown fact about me: I LOVE college football and March Madness!!! :)
V–Very favorite store: Tai Pan
W–Worst habit: Over analyzing any and everything.
X–X-ray or Ultra Sound: Love the Ultra Sound - nothing better than seeing your baby for the first time.
Y–Your favorite food: Chocolate
Z–Zodiac: Gemini

Funny You Tube

2009-02-04T12:24:00.000-08:00

For some reason I can not get the video to stick. Please click on the link to watch this!! Poor kid. . .But SOOOOO funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b8Q5BK3-ZQ

Happy Birthday JJ!!!!

2009-02-04T08:57:00.001-08:00

JJ ~ I hope you have a very Happy Birthday today. I love you so much and you are my best friend. I am lucky to have you be a part of my life. Remember. . .You will always be older than I am! :)

A Teeny Tiny Daisy

2009-02-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

This is our new little puppy Daisy. We just had to have her! She is soooo little. As you can see she is not much bigger than Hadlie's shoe. I am just hoping the kids (Landon) do not hurt her.

So Excited.

2009-01-24T14:24:00.000-08:00

So over the summer I was a bit of a klutz and a ditz, (I know, no SURPRISE!!!) I had three really big problems!

#1 I started my kitchen on fire. This is a very embarassing (notice I never blogged about it) and LONG story that I won't entertain you with at this time. Luckily, no major damage.

#2 I was pulling into my garage when I pushed the visor in my car up accidentally hitting the garage door opener button. Normally, I have to almost beat the snot out of my opener to get it to open my garage door. Well this one time, lucky me, a teeny tiny touch of a very small fingertip closed the garage door as I was pulling into the garage. I am sure most of you can figure out how the story ends, but I will share the details anyway. The garage door came down on my car and I continued to pull in. Of course this majorly dented and derailed the door. As JJ was at work, I was able to get a bit dirty and fix the door enough to work. It was not pretty anymore but it did function.

#3 I broke my ankle while carrying my very petite 2 year old who weighed 35 pounds at the time. I tripped over a toy and was afraid I was going to drop Landon. In an effort to not drop or hurt Landon I rolled my ankle and ended up cracking it in 2 places.

Back to the #2, I think because of how cold it has been the door cracked in one of the panels that I broke with my car. Because of the crack the door buckles and will not come down once open. Because of my error we are now buying a new garage door. We decided on the insulated model and I am VERY EXCITED about this. It is a bit more money but he promises it will help keep our home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Thanks to Fieldstone (by the way you suck!!), we have a very hard time at keeping our house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I hope this makes a difference.

Anyone have an insulated dooor???? Does it make a difference for your house?

This one's for you Wendy!!

2009-01-21T09:05:00.001-08:00

I know it is not 185 wpm, like Wendy can do. But not too shabby for not being on the computer every day, anymore :)

82 words

Speedtest

The best kept secret EVER!

2009-01-16T09:26:00.001-08:00

Walking with Dinosaurs. . .Oh my gosh!!! Several months ago we heard that Walking with Dinos would be stopping in Salt Lake. Tickets were purchased and then we wait!

Korbin asked us several times to take money from his bank account or from our Disney fund to buy tickets for this show. The answer was always the same. "Sorry, not this time." And every time he would pout.

The story we gave the kids this night was that we were going to Temple Square, Again. We blindfolded Korbin when we got close to the Delta Center.

When Korbin took his blindfold off, this is what he saw. When he realized that we were not going to Temple Square, again, and that we were going to see Dino's any minute he started to bounce all over the place.

The kids so excited before we went in.

As we waited for the program to start sounds of dinosaurs could be heard. Every time the sounds would be made Landon would get a bit scared.

This was such an amazing production. The baby T-rex has a grown man in it. That can kind of give an idea of how big the T-rex is.

All of the kids loved watching this and actually sat still the whole time. I highly recommend this!

Summer. . .Oh how I miss thee

2009-01-13T11:53:00.001-08:00

A tribute to the fun we had over the summer. I know it is only January 13th, but I am ready for the spring and summer to be here.

We went to the park daily and enjoyed being outside.

The kids could play in the mud and be hosed off without forming icicles.

One of the many camping trips. . .

. . .And another.

We miss the zoo!

The pool, our best friend from June 2nd until Labor day!

Many many afternoons were spent baking in the sun and turning into prunes in the pool!!!

The spring equinox will arrive on March 20th this year. I am counting down!!!!

Yay for dance!

2009-01-12T16:08:00.000-08:00

Hadlie has officialy started dance!!! She loves it and we love the outlet. There is a sister in our ward that offers dance classes for free (perfect for our budget). Every Monday afternoon we head back to the church where the boys and I spend 45 minutes watching seven little 4 year olds "dance".

Of course the class starts with warm-ups and stretching.

Here is stretch, a head taller than the rest of her class. They use the stage as the "bar" and practice foot and arm positions.

I know, I still need a new camera! But this is Hadlie in action, she was doing her slides across the cultural hall.

She loves this class! I am glad that we have such a generous neighbor who is incredibly patient and takes the time to teach these little girls. She makes them feel so important. I look forward to the recital in December.

Tis the season.

2009-01-01T21:45:00.001-08:00

After many days of continual nagging of a 6 year old boy that lives in my house, who will remain nameless, we finally went sledding! We found the perfect hills to go sledding on at a Jr. High around the corner. It wasn't until after we were done that we found the sign that said "sledding was not allowed on the property"!! :) If anyone knows me, at all, they know I am quite the klutz! After the two attempts I made of sledding down the smallest hill without getting hurt, unsuccessfully I might add, I decided it was best to remain at the bottom behind the camera!

Landon's first time sledding! This was one of the few times he would stay in the saucer. He would rather slide down the hill on his stomach.

Little Miss flew down the hill and the farthest because the girl weighs nothing! She has absolutely NO fear and the scares me to death. :)

I think his face says it all.

I now have 3 nagging kids, instead of the one mentioned previously, to go sledding. These requests are now coming daily!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! and a Happy New Year

2009-01-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I am a little late. I really love this time of year. I look forward to it every year because it is the one time of year my entire family gets together and spends good quality time together. We did our traditional decorating of gingerbread houses and gingerbread men on Christmas Eve. Of course we enjoyed way too much yummy homemade pizza and lots of snacks.

Christmas Day was special this year. We did something a little different and it worked out very well. Because of the changes that were made this year, it felt like we could focus a bit more on the reason for this special day. I am all ready counting down to Christmas 2009.

I am making a FORMAL complaint

2008-12-16T07:34:00.000-08:00

I will just do this once, because I am sure no one wants to hear me complain!!! I hate when my husband is out of town. I hate that he is going to be gone until Saturday evening. I hate that he is gone the week before Christmas. I hate that this is his 3rd business trip this year.

Ok, that is all!!

I HATE Laundry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-14T09:31:00.001-08:00

I wish I could find the time to do laundry twice a week! By Saturday morning, this is what 7 loads of laundry looks like. I HATE IT.

Anyone up for the job? I can pay you in Gold Fish and Gummy Snacks. . . Anyone?

You can't fool me!!!

2008-12-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

Me: Why are you guys playing in the mud??

Kids: We haven't been playing in the mud. . .

Me: Why are you covered in mud?

Kids (more like Korbin): We think it just jumped on us some how.

Me: Uh Huh. That mud sure is some tricky stuff. It always finds a way to jump up on you.

Feeling the Spirit at Christmas Time

2008-12-10T08:23:00.001-08:00

Every year at Christmas time we always make our way to Temple Square to look at the lights. In the last few years, and especially this year, I have started to appreciate it so much more for the spirit that is felt there. Not only is it an awesome teaching experience for me as a parent, but it is also an hour or two of peace & comfort away from the worries of every day life.

Even though it was cold and windy the kids were troopers and loved being there too!

I love this picture! When we go to Temple Square to hear of the birth of Christ and be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, I thought this picture was so fitting that the moon looks like the star of Bethlehem.

2008-11-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

My favorite cousin, Jill got another tag, so she tagged me!

1. Go to your pictures file.
2. Go to the 4th file.
3. Go to the 4th picture.
4. Post it and tell the story.

This is a picture of JJ and I taking our FIRST vacation alone. That's right NO kids. We went to Tampa Bay Florida September 2007 for the sole purpose of going to a football game. JJ has been a life long Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan and lucky enough I don't mind football.

Unfortunately, it was not the best trip. If you could overlook the airline loosing our lugage, the hotel giving us a room with a bed that had been pee'd in and the linens not changed (yes, we checked out right away and ended up in an awesome vacation villa), and the both of us getting the stomach flu, the game and DisneyWorld was absolutely FANTASTIC.

We look forward to having a "make-up" trip just to experience Florida in better conditions. But I say Hawaii first! :)

5. Tag 4 more people:

Karey

Cammi

Candice

Jeanna

Today is Hadlie's Birthday!

2008-11-22T09:27:00.000-08:00

Today Hadlie turned 4! I consider the birth of all of my children a VERY special day tucked away in my memory bank, as most mothers do.

I woke up on Sunday November 21st 2004 feeling kind of crampy and thought "I AM SO DONE WITH BEING PREGNANT, I am going to have this baby today". Lucky enough, it was Stake Conference and that gave me a great excuse to go walking instead of sitting on a very hard bench with a two year old, being very pregnant for more than two hours. I got Korbin bundled up, put him in the stroller and off we went. After two hours of walking and my mom at my side to keep me going and entertained Korbin was done! We headed home just to drop him and then again we would go. We continued to walk for another hour and became bored of the same houses, mud puddles, and leaves on the ground. This is when we decided to go to Walmart and just walk, it was warmer and nice change of scenary. :)
The walking really worked! The entire time I walked I had contractions, and lots of them. Unfortunately, after my four hour walking excursion the contractions stopped. I went home very tired, uncomfortable with cramps, and not the end I had hoped for that day.
Finally at 10:15 pm I put my head on my pillow for the night and experienced my first "real" labor contraction with this pregnancy. Right away my contractions were incredibly painful and they started 4 minutes apart. After walking the floor for about an hour called the Dr. and he said to come in. After many attempts to wake up my husband so we coud head to the hospital, he got up. I can remember he had to turn the defroster on high because I was breathing so hard the window had a permanent fog on them for our car ride.
Once at the hospital I was only at a 2 and the nurse said that I had to at lease dialate to a 3 to admit me. This wonderful nurse saw the pain I was in "made" me a 3 by the end of the hour so they could admit me. I had NEVER experienced this kind of pain during labor with Korbin and now know it was because Hadlie was posterior.
Because of my previous c-section, I was confined to the bed hooked up to all sorts of wierd monitors and such. Being stuck in a bed without being able to be up and around was terrible!Thankfully, Hadlie arrived much quicker than Korbin. I again labored all night and started to push at 8 am Monday November 22nd. After two VERY LONG hours of pushing and 12 hours (to the minute) Hadlie arrived at 10:15 am. She was born with this blood blister on her left index finger and automatically thought that something was wrong with her skin. To my surprise nothing was wrong, she just sucked her finger in utero creating a blood blister because she enjoyed it to much!
I can remember holding her and having the most wonderful feeling of being complete, my other half.
Hads. . .My heart is so full to have you in my life. You keep life interesting, fun, & loud. I enjoy having your infectious laughter near me all day. You are my best girl!
I love you SO much! - Mom

My camera is dying!! The pictures are not great. Or maybe this was at the crack of dawn this morning!! :)

Korbin Had a Birthday!

2008-11-22T08:44:00.001-08:00

When I sit back and think that my oldest son is 6, I just don't understand where the time has gone.

I have such vivid memories of the day Korbin was born.

After experiencing preterm labor at 34 weeks, Korbin was able to hold on until 38 weeks. November 5th 2002 I woke up at 4 in the morning experiencing some mild irregular contractions. But because I could sleep through them I knew it was nothing! I "woke" up for the day at 7 got ready and headed to work, while still having contractions. When I got to work my contractions quickly intensified and became two minutes apart. I called my mom to take me to the Hospital because JJ was working nights at the time and I did not want to interupt his sleep for another false alarm. So I headed to the hospital where I was monitored and sent home!!! My contractions were still two minutes apart and uncomfortable. But because there was not enough change in my body with the contractions they sent me home. Being the spaz that I am, went back to work. I did not want to sit at home and labor alone with a sleeping husband in the next room. So I toughed out 3 more hours at work, tried to talk on the phone and breath through contractions and sit during a meeting. Finally I could take no more and went home to wake up JJ and inform him this was really it! FINALLY!

After running a few errands and eating a very light dinner decided to go back to the hospital. They finally admitted me and apologized for not doing it earlier. I can remember My Dr. breaking my water and the feeling of "HOLY CRAP!" there is no turning back, started a very long night of walking the halls of the hospital. Lucky for me, I labored all night with nothing to watch but the GOP convention. I walked for HOURS with nothing happening. Finally at 8:30 on November 6th my Dr suggested a c-section. After 29 long hours of labor the c-section sounded like a great plan.

At 9:01 AM on November 6th 2002, Korbin finally came into the world and warm arms of two parents anxiously awaiting his long arrival.

Now that I know who he is, I am sure he was holding himself in there and knew the only way he would come out was if we made him!!

Korbin. . .I love you so much and are SO very grateful for your sweet spirit in our home. I truly have been blessed with the opportunity to be your mom. Everyday I look forward to the hugs you are so good at giving and to see your smile light up the room.
I love you with all my heart!!! -Mom

This year we decided to have a very quiet and quant birthday party just with our little family. We took the kids to go see Madagascar and have a Red Robin dinner. It was just perfect.

I am not as creative as I thought I am!!! I should have known by the cinnamon rolls I tried to cook during the summer that doing a "homemade" birthday cake would be the same disaster. So here it is, U-G-L-Y as can be. Korbin was thrilled with it and gave me the biggest hug and told me it was perfect. Thank goodness for his tender heart!

Korbin was very thankful for the gifts and cards he recieved from all the Grandmas & Grandpas, Great Grandmas & Great Grandpas, and Aunts & Uncles.

Bone Hunting

2008-11-03T09:44:00.001-08:00

For any of you who know my 5 Year Old, he not only has a great love for dinosaurs but a true obsession!! He has informed us that he will be a paleontologist and that he is going to be the first man to recreate a dinosaur. (I think he has been watching to much Jurassic Park)

As a mom I am soooooo sick of dinosaurs, but I continue to support Korbin because it is his passion.

Last week he decided to have a "dig" in our backyard, looking specifically for Trex skulls and larger leg bones of carnivores. He was so generous to publish this dig and post a sign on the front door and hold a picket sign and walk in front of our house letting the neighbor kids know to come over. Sadly, no one showed up!! :)

I am glad that he has such passion for something in life. I think I would get an A in the dinosaur section of Earth Science only because of every little detail Korbin has taught me!! Love ya Korbin.

Finally a New Post!!!

2008-11-03T09:34:00.001-08:00

For some reason, I could not get around to posting over the last month. So this will be kind of a repeat of a previous post.

Halloween was a hit! (When is it not?) The only problem was our camera. I can't take a picture without it being blurry. Guess it is time for a new one. . .

So as you know, Landon will not wear a costume. This has been a battle with him since his first Halloween. We were able to convince him to wear his pumpkin shirt to at least be festive!

Yay for TrIcK - oR - tReAtInG!!!

The kids were SO excited about wearing their costume to school. I can't imagine much work was done at school this day. :) Goodbye to Halloween this year.

Supergirl vs Venom and the Crabby Pirate!

2008-10-01T16:55:00.001-07:00

We decided to get ready for Halloween a bit early and bought costumes today. Korbin thought necessary to get into full character with his Venom costume.

At least they are pretending to like each other for a minute. . .

I even decided to try the mask on!!!

And here is the crabby pirate!!!! Every Halloween he screams, cries and throws a tantrum about the costume he has to wear. It does not look like this Halloween be any different.

GO COUGARS!!!

2008-09-20T17:03:00.001-07:00

This was a great game! BYU shut them out 44 to 0!!

JJ an I love going to the BYU games, one of our favorite pastimes. This is a great way for us to get away from the kids and be loud, well for JJ to be loud. This is our 2nd year of season tickets and love the people we sit with. We have a group of about 15 that have sat in the same spot for years. SO much fun!

Ty Detmer was the one carrying the white "Y" flag today.

The FAMOUS touchdown tower. This is one of the guys we sit with. Everytime BYU scores, everyone surrounding us gives Steve their hats and he wears them until BYU kicks their extra point after the touchdown.

We look forward to the BYU football season every year!

WARNING!!!!! Nudity

2008-09-17T14:38:00.000-07:00

As a mother, I HATE potty training the most!!!!! My first two were incredibly difficult and defiant in following through. They were so difficult that it took a trip to Primary Children's to have a doctor tell us that my child was just plain lazy! I learned after that, but still had the same difficulties with #2. Landon has been telling us for months that he just pooped or needed to go poop. I have been so reluctant in training him because of the issues of my first two kiddies.

It was 8 days ago that I started training him. I put the potty chair on a towel in the family room and told him this is where he needed to poop and potty from now on and that we had no more diapers. To my amazement, that is all it took with him!! He had his first accident yesterday (7 days into training), and it was on the way running to the potty!!! I feel SO lucky this time around. I just don't think I could have dealt with another hard one.

I know he feels like a big boy and we are so proud of him for his accomplishments. And even more proud that he has made our lives a bit easier!! :)

Don't know that I am ready for this. . .

2008-09-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

We had a little rain storm yesterday that turned into a small hail storm. It made me realize how quick the snow is coming. I love the winter, but I hate how cold it can get. The kids are crabby and bouncing off the walls because they can not go outside and play all hours.

I don't think it would be bad to have an "unseasonally" warm winter this year. You won't hear me complain about that. :)

My FIRST purchase with Hollow Tree!!!

2008-09-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

YAY! My first order with Etsy! I started making these frames as gifts. I just love making them and spending time being creative that I decided to start selling them! I have NO expectations of selling any or making any money so that I won't be let down. But I do love the creative outlet it gives me to make them.

Weekend Fun and Games

2008-09-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

This better be the only bars that he is looking out of!!!! Fun at the park.
Look at these two cuties. I really like the ears, he wanted to wear his brothers hat even though it is too big..
Mini Me.
Korbin fell on his scooter so we put it in the back of the bike trailer and he freaked out when he had to ride on the handle bars of my bike. He screamed for about two blocks before Hadlie stepped up and rode the rest of the way home on the handle bars of my bike.

Heidi hard at work on her newest picture frame. All of them can be seen at www.hollowtree.etsy.com and soon at www.hollowtreecreations.com. Order while you can for the holiday's I am sure that you want to get your shopping done early!!!!!

This is why I DON'T bake!

2008-09-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

I try so hard to be domestic and it just really does not work. This is my first attempt at cinnamon rolls and obviously they did not work.

A lot of work for nothing that is truly edible. Yay for Betty Crocker, Sarah Lee, and Little Debby. Ha Ha!

My First New York Trip!!! Thanks IKEA

2008-09-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

The New York Stock Exchange, all blocked off with cops all around. Neat to see that this building mashed in between all the other high rises.
This is a piece of the World Trade Center. This building had many memories that were hard to see in person. Very emotional to be at ground zero and to see all the people still working and putting it all back together.
The Brooklyn Bridge was awesome to see walking up to the view area and looking down at the cars passing bye.
If you look just behind the small dome glass building this is were tower 1 stood and to the right of the building in the middle is were tower 2 stood. This shot was taken from a tour boat on the Hudson River, behind me is the New Jersey shore.
Here she is Lady Liberty, Pretty neat to see her in person. I wasn't able to stop at the island, but that is something that Heidi and I are going to do when we return to New York for her first trip.

First Day of School

2008-09-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

Korbin has been counting down the first day of school ALL summer.

Hadlie was more than excited to finally be going to school.

It feels as though Christmas has come early this year!! Being a new stay at home mom has had its adjustments and now that school has started I think I can relax a bit. I know it is only a few hours a day, but the semi alone time is GOOD. Korbin started Kindegarten last Wednesday and Hadlie started pre-school today. Just having Landon at home is a breeze. I think he also enjoys the one-on-one time he gets to have with me.

Camping at Payson Lakes

2008-09-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

Landon. . .as dirty as they come! The dirt seemed to find him and jump on him and stick with some evil power. We could do nothing to keep him clean, but I guess he is 2.

Hadlie. . .almost as dirty as Landon.

I was waiting for one of them to fall in.

This is Korbin's first fish.

Thankfully they found their own entertainment.

JJ and I actually survived the kids.

A little over a week ago we went camping. We try and go at least once a year, if not more. Last year was such a mess with keeping the kids entertained and trying to get them to sleep in the trailer. So this year, I over prepared and brought board games, the portable DVD player and lots of treats for bribing! We had a wonderful time. JJ, Korbin and Hadlie all caught a fish this year. No one fell in the lake (which shocked me), and no one bled or broke anything (which also shocked me). We hope to go one more time this year before it gets too cold.

Our Annual Zoo Trip

2008-09-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

For some reason I just don't care to go to the zoo!! So I suck it up once a year to take the kiddos. I tried to enjoy the zoo a bit this year and see "everything". So here we are watching the elephant encounters.

We really had a great time. We went on the train, which was a first for me. But I blinked so I missed it. . . Better luck next time I guess! They have a new Merry Go Round, which was fun as well.

All in all, it was a great family day together. We needed the quality family time.

2008-09-02T14:32:00.001-07:00

A true miracle might happen if they could all look and smile at the camera at the same time.

2008-09-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

Korbin and Hadlie with the Gorilla

2008-09-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Landon trying to take the camera away from me. . .