Tiny Dancer

Ballet

Jazz

Laylah got her dance pictures... I thought they turned out pretty cute. I can't believe how grown up she is getting...

Shhhh... Don't Tell Mom...

A couple of days ago, I had made the kids lunch and then came down to the office and was typing on this very computer. I was actually doing something productive for once (paying bills) and I heard the kids giggling and laughing. They always play around if I am not up there to remind them to continue eating. I called up "Eat your food!" and then kept on with what I was doing. A few minutes later I hear little feet running around, more laughing, etc. I just ignored it- even though they are not supposed to leave the table if their food isn't gone- so THEN, I hear Laylah say "Oh no... my sandwich is gone! Where is it?" Right away I knew that Sadie had jumped up on the chair and had stolen Lay's sandwich. She has done this before to Jonah, who remembered that Sadie had done it( And yes, I am trying to break her of the filthy habit- she only does it when food is left on the table, hence one of the reasons the kids are supposed to eat all of their food before they leave the table!!). He says "Shhh, don't tell mom" in the loudest voice ever. Don't you love how kids always think they are so quiet, when really they are incredibly loud. Funny. Anyway, he continues on with "That happened to me, but I told mom, and I got in trouble... don't tell her, just pretend you ate it." I decided to just ignore this conversation. Sometimes I just get sick of lecturing my kids and so, what I pretended not to know couldn't hurt them, right? :) Plus, I thought it was kind of cute that Jo was trying to protect his sister. Anyway, made me laugh. And Sadie was delighted. She got to eat her favorite- peanut butter sandwich.

The little thief

This picture has nothing to do with this post, but I just thought it was cute.

The Best Mom in the World

Yes, it's true... I am the best mom in the world. At least that's what my kids think. They told me so. Today in fact. And Laylah went as far to say that I made the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches EVER. Wow. It's when kids say things like that that you know it's all worth it. Every second. :)

Happy Happy Birthday Cristan!!

Okay, so I am, once again, late. My best gal pal's birthday was Saturday, and I wanted to wish her a very happy birthday, but also embarass her. So, voila, here ya go!

Cristan and I were babies together, lived across the street from each other, grew up together, have spent every signifigant moment of life together (well, almost- if we were not together, the other heard about it soon after :). Her family is my family, and vice versa. I talk to her constantly, can tell her ANYTHING and she will know exactly what I mean. I love her!

I wish I got to see her more, but she lives a little ways away (about 2 hours) and I don't get to see her and her darling kids as much as I would like. We do have the perfect situation though- she does nails and I do hair, so we switch our services. I love this because I always have beautiful nails, but the reason I love it the most is because it guarentees that I will get to see her at least every three weeks or so and we will chat for hours upon hours about anything and everything.

We have been through so much together. I have old shoe boxes full to bursting of old notes, letter, and pictures of us. We went to school together, were always in the same church classes, and danced at the same studio growing up.(Our birthdays are only a month and a half apart). You'd think people that were together that much would get sick of each other? Nope, not us! So, for you Cris, here is a big hug and an even bigger HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Love you lots girl!

Here is a quote that my roomate had in her room a long time ago- when I read it, it reminded me of Cris and me. "Friends come and go throughout the years, but there is always one that you are stuck with for life!"

* I would like to post a little disclaimer. I had to scan all these old pics in and they are not in order whatsoever- just us throughout the good ole' days. Also, please excuse old, ugly styles ;) I do however, give you permission to laugh.

Rachel's Visit

My sister Rach came up a few weeks ago for the Draper Temple Open House. It was a very quick visit but oh so fun, and we filled the one day we had together to capacity! We met up after I picked up my kids from school for lunch along with my mom and dad and my sis Suzanne. We went to Kneaders (yummy!!) and then headed over to South Towne for some shopping (of course!) We picked that mall because they have a little play area for the kiddies. So we shopped until the kids dropped and then went and played at the play place and also went on the merry-go-round. Kids loved it, we loved it. We then went over to my moms and put the little ones for a nap, stuck the bigger ones in front of a movie, set my dad to watch them and then took off to do more.... shopping of course! (I think we have a problem...) Then we went back to moms where Andy met us, and made dinner, played some more and finally headed home. Fun fun day! I love my sister.

6x6 Picture Tag

Rules:

1. Go to your pictures on your computer

2. Go to your 6th folder

3. Go to your sixth picture

4. Post it

5. Blog about it.

6. Tag 6... Cristan, Breanna (Maybe this will help you update your blog?? :), Tara O. (You too... although I know you've had a good excuse :), Teisha, Becca, and Jasmyn.

This picture is from September of 2005. I was 5 months pregnant with Daphne. Jonah had just learned to walk ( I know, because the pictures before this are the day he learned to walk :) He was about 14 months and Laylah was almost 2 1/2. We were having a great time at the zoo. And I remember that it was a free zoo day. Good times!

Grateful

Today I had to take Baron to the doctor because he has had a weird rash. They told me they could barely squeeze me in because they were so full, and that I would probably have to wait awhile, but that I could still come. (That is why I just LOVE my pediatrician. He ALWAYS gets me in the day of, no matter what)

So anyway, I had to take all of the kids because Andy has a class on Monday afternoons. I got to the office and we did have to wait awhile, but my kids were being very good. They are pretty well behaved usually anyway, but I was especially grateful today. There was a woman waiting with one little boy, probably about Jonah's age. I think he must have been autistic (I'm not positive, because I am not an expert by any means at knowing those kinds of things) and he was throwing a tantrum, crying, throwing things, yelling, etc. His sweet sweet mom was so patient with him and was being so kind and loving. I couldn't understand it. Here is this woman, who probably deals with this all day every day, and she was acting like this.

I am not a patient person, and I am probably a little harsh with my own children sometimes ( And I am constantly working on this, believe me!!) and I could hardly comprehend the love this woman was showing her child. It really opened my eyes. I am incredibly blessed. Heavenly Father knows me. I know handicapped children are choice spirits of our Heavenly Father and their parents are chosen because of their gifts and abilities of being able to handle these spirits. I just do not understand how they do it. They amaze me with their love and compassion. I feel very very blessed that I was given the children that I have. I don't know if I would be strong enough to do what those parents do every day. It just made me really appreciate and feel a surge of love for my kids. I love each one of them more than even I can explain or comprehend. And I am very grateful.

Bowling- 2 Kinds- Regular and Wii!

We have been a bit bowling obsessed at our home lately. For our FHE activity the past few weeks, we have had Wii bowling tournaments. The Wii is seriously the most fun/ best nintendo system, especially if you have kids (thanks again for the GREAT Christmas gift mom and dad!!) They are better than me!

Andy and I have also started taking the kids on one-on-one dates. He's doing the girls this month and I'm doing Jonah. They get to pick whatever they want to do. We've only done Lay and Jo so far, but they have both picked bowling for their activity. I am sure Daphne will pick bowling as well. We love bowling!!

Mom and Jonah's Date

Okay, I know you can't see this very well, but YES, I bowled a 154!!! My best ever, and only Jonah was there to see. I had to document it. :)

Daddy and Laylah's Date

Andy's measly 128... I am seriously a way better bowler ;)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Even Sadie got some leftovers that fell on the floor from Bear's highchair :)

So, on the 17th I tried to make it a fun St. Paddy's Day because I was a bum on Valentine's (we had some family things going on) and I'm surprised I even got them dressed in red and pink and that Cupid even made it that night to deliver some treats. I had wanted to make pink pancakes, do a fun activity, etc, and none of that happened ( I didn't even get ONE pic of the day!), so today I tried to make up for my lack of making it a fun holiday. We all got up and got our green on and I made green pancakes and we had green milk, The kids loved it. Later we had green cookies. Fun stuff :)

Time Out

I just thought this was so cute and funny. Jonah and Laylah were fighting one day- hitting, shoving, screaming- over some toy (sometimes they REALLY get into it) and I told them to go put their noses in the corner. A few minutes later I hear them giggling uncontrollably. I go look at them and Baron is climbing on them and laughing and patting them, probably trying to get them to turn around and look at him. Pretty funny.

And I just had to add these because I think my baby's pretty cute. I know he's going to be walking soon, and I just can't get over how fast time goes by. I know I say it a lot, but it's true. In only a month my baby will be ONE! How does that work?

Draper Temple Open House

Well, we finally made it. Barely! I think the last day you can go is Saturday and we finally went on Monday. It was just amazing. I absolutely love the temple and the wonderful, beautiful, peaceful feeling there. During the video at the church I was just bawling. I don't know why I was so emotional, but the spirit was just so strong and I just have such a testimony of eternal families and a testimony of the whole exhistance of temples. I love them.

Anyway, after that, the kids were so excited to go on the bus up to the temple. They were all so good (we left Bear home though, he's at the stage where he doesn't want to be held, wants to crawl, etc, and we just didn't want to deal with it) and they were so reverent and they loved it. I loved being able to explain to them what each room was used for and show them where Andy and I go when we tell them we are going to the temple to do work for the dead. Laylah was especially excited about it. She's at such a fun age where she finally gets stuff and really understands. She loved it. After we had our refreshments and got back on the bus to go back to our car, we asked the kids what their favorite room in the temple was. Laylah said the baptismal font, and Jonah said that was his favorite too. Laylah said she also liked the room with the huge chandelier (celestial room). And Daph said she liked the room with all of the things in it. I asked her "What things?" and she said "You know, the room with the cookies?" Made me laugh. I was so glad my kids got this experience in their young age, and I'm so glad we get to see the Oquirrh Mountain temple in another few months. I love to see the temple...afterward we went to an early dinner and counted it for FHE. It was a really fun day.

On a not so bright note, ever since last Friday we have had the flu bug in our house. It has slowly gone through all of us. I thought last night that we were finally over it until Daphne threw-up in her bed. Yuck! But today I think we are all back to the norm. The bigger kids went back to school yesterday for the first time. Daph says she feels much better and has eaten and been okay. Hopefully that bug will stay far away for a very long time. It was NO fun at all!

Pay It Forward

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a handmade gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. There's a small catch...You knew there would be didn't you? Post this on your blog then come back and leave a comment, telling me you're in. Fun, huh? Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift. The race is on! P.S. You might need to leave me your email address so I know how to get a hold of you outside of blog world!

( This is supposed to be a hand made gift, but because of my lack of craftiness and know-how, I reserve the right to BUY a gift to send you. But I promise I won't disappoint :)

Once Again I Present...

Funny Kids!!... I know I do this a lot, but it's for me, so feels free to skip this post!

-Daphne is going potty and I hear her whispering "Why won't you come out poop? Just come out of there! I'm tired of sitting on this old potty, so won't you just come out?"

-Jonah and I sit down in sacrement meeting and he points up to the big thing that the organ music comes out of above the podium ( I don't know what it's called, sorry) and he says "Mom, who lives in there?" I tell him "Oh, nobody lives in there, that is there to make the music louder and more beautiful." He gives me a sly grin and says "Well, I think Heavenly Father lives in there!"

-Laylah tooted and says "Oh, excuse me, I just broke wind."

I love these kids.

Finally... Riding Lessons

Laylah has been begging to start riding lessons for awhile now and my wonderful sister Kaylie volunteered to teach her. She had her first lesson last week, and I must say (because I'm not biased or anything :) she is very good! She has a lot of natural ability, and she just loves it. We went to the tack store to pick her up a helmet, and she, of course, HAD to have the pink one- even though it cost $25 more (I don't blame her... they are ugly enough as it is, so I didn't mind a bit!). The next day she was already asking how much longer to her next lesson. Oh, and Jonah had to have a quick ride after Lay's lesson was over.

A New Bed

I bought Sadie a new bed last week after I (accidently, of course) ruined her old one in my washing machine.... looks like she's not the only one who loves it :) I'll just grab one for Baron next time I'm at Target... it's a lot cheaper than a real bed!

Jonah Update

Well, Jo had another eye dr. appointment, and we were pretty discouraged this time. I was hoping he had doubled his improvement again, but he didn't even come close. In fact, he hasn't improved AT ALL. The dr. said he is still where he was 8 weeks ago. He said that Jo will have to double his patch wearing time, and also he will have to have drops put in his eye twice a week that will dialate his eye. It will make his vision blurry in his good eye, so that even when he is not wearing the patch, his good eye will have a hard time seeing and his bad eye will have to do most of the work. I know how horrible this is because of my iritis. The drops burn so bad and it is so frustrating to have blurry vision all the time. I feel so bad for Jo, I just broke down in the car on the way home and started bawling. I felt like a terrible mother, like I could have tried harder, or done more, so that my little boy wouldn't have to go through more than he already has to. I was so frustared for the most part because the dr. said that if he doesn't have any improvement in the next 8 weeks, there will be nothing more we can do. He will just be blind in his left eye. It makes me sad because Jonah talks about being an astronaut, or a pilot when he grows up, and of course, he would probably never really do that, but I hate to have the option taken away from him. It's so hard being a parent and having to see your kids go through something so hard. I just wish I could go through it for them. Jonah hates the patch, and now with the increased time he has to wear it, he has to have it on during school, and I just hope kids are nice to him and he doesn't get made fun of. Being a mom is hard! I don't want to get all churchy, but it really reminds me of our Heavenly Father; how must he feel when we have trials to go through. He must want to just take all the pain away, knowing he can't, else we would never progress. I know Jonah will learn from this experience, even at such a young age, but I really wish he didn't have to. I just love him, and all my kids so much. If I would have known being a mom was so hard... I know I still would have done it :)