BunchesB

Been So Long

2011-11-28T18:25:00.001-08:00

So, I was looking at my blog today and noticed it has been over two months since I posted!!
A lot has happened. Let me mention a few things. Curly started school and is signing like a champ! Rooster has the best handwriting for a six year old I have ever seen! LB started a new pre-school, and he can read!! I am working less and being home more, which I love!!

My hunk is working two weeks on and one week off, we miss him! Umm, my monkies are as crazy as ever and continue to wear each others clothes!! ha ha

Curly is almost completely potty trained!! Ahhhaaaaa ( those are angels singing) He has been in pull-ups for a long time, and one day he decided he was a big boy. I tried to give him a pull up and he said "NO, I not a baby ana mowa!" He took off running into his bedroom and came out with only underwear. He has been wearing them ever since. Not without accident, but still.

Conversation In The Car

2011-09-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

Today we were in the car doing some errands. I love times like these. Crusing around jamming to tunes, singing at the top of our lungs sometimes with different accents! So much fun!

As I was in pure form (singing at the top of my lungs) I notice Rooster was looking at me, I looked back and contact was made. She nervously smiled and said "Remember how you taught me that if I have something to say that is not nice, I should keep it in my mind?" I assured her that I remembered that lesson. "Well, I'm doing that to you now." "Oh, you are?" Honestly I was a bit surprised. I mean HELLO? Have you met me?? I'm like one of the coolest people I know!

She continued with "your singing is not that good today, and I think I am a little bit better singer than you are Mommy." All I could say was "oh, well considering I have had a cough and been sick for 4 weeks, I thought I sounded pretty darn good." "Mommy?" She said then paused. "Yeees," I said back. I'm doing it again.

Holy Crap!!

2011-08-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

How's that for a title eh?

I can not believe I haven't been on here talking about my wonderful children! Or better yet myself! So many things have happened that it's just impossible to try to catch up on things!

Rooster just turned six yesterday, and is starting FIRST GRADE in less than a week! She is growing up so fast I can't believe it! She is an old soul, very wise for her age. She was telling me about something about me she wishes was different. It broke my heart, mainly because I too wish it was different. I promised her that I would try my best to change that one thing, that I would do anything for her and her brothers. She looks at me with the most loving eyes and says, "Mommy, you just have to trust in yourself! I know you can do it Mommy! You can do anything, and if you don't believe in you, believe in me cause I always trust in you! Umm, yeah I cried! How did I get so lucky? I have amazing children!

LB is going to his third year of pre-school, this year we are calling it the "Little-big-school." He is tired of going to "baby school" so to get him to cooperate with going we changed the name. Everytime he is naughty he tells me "Don't worry Mommy, I'm only going to be this way until I am five!" Come on October!!

Curly, is quite the little man. Trying to talk up a storm. Refusing to sign! Getting ready to start JMS (school for the deaf) pre-school! Boy, was that a fight!! The Granite School District did not want to qualify him for "special -ed" because he is "too-smart!" They told me to just put him in a "hearing" class room and once he falls behind they will test him again!! I was PISSED!!

I couldn't believe they would even suggest that! To make a loooooong story short after two weeks and a FOUR HOUR IEP meeting I got what I wanted!!

Fragile

2011-06-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

Dentist these days are SO cool!! I mean really! Toy rooms in the lobby, video games, TV's on the ceilings playing your favorite movie, and my favorite of all medicine to calm the kids!

I feel so ripped off! I never had any of those things when I was young, I think maybe once I got to wear some head phones from a Sony walk-man! My monkeys love the dentist!! My hell, I would too!!

They all went in for check ups, and Rooster had a lot of cavities. She had to get two silver caps, and like three fillings. Not all in one visit, thank goodness! On her last visit she seemed a little more high than normal. I asked her how she was feeling and she said "I'm fragile today Mommy." Then she fell asleep. Oh and the boys had none!

Facebook Has Taken Over

2011-05-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

Seriously, the last time I blogged was too long ago! Facebook as taken over my computer time! Looking for old friends, deleting rude friends, posting status updates, reading updates, watching video links, and so on and so on!

I can't believe I haven't made time for my dear friend blog! Too many things have happened to try to mention here know this....Life is complicated and hard, but we're surviving! That's what we do!

Keep on keeping on, and hope to blog more soon!

Slacking

2011-03-18T05:35:00.000-07:00

I know it's been awhile since I've posted. Trust me it's not due to lack of exciting, funny note-worthy things happening. It's all the OTHER stuff going on that keeps me from posting! Life is crazy, as I'm sure it is for most of you. Unfortunately, the Super in my Mom hasn't come in yet! Are you thinking....yeah, my life is crazy too and I still have time to make multiple posts? GOOD for you, over acheiver!!

Grocery List

2011-02-24T12:26:00.000-08:00

I love having my days at home. I miss my morning shift at work 6 to 12:30. It's the BOMB! Right now Hunk is working in the mornings so I have had to give up my shift to be home with the kids. Oh what a sacrifice. Are you sensing my sarcasim? It was a hard choice staying home and a BIG finiacal sacrifice. Money is tighter than ever, ut it's worth it for moments like today.

It's no news to anyone that is close to us my kids need new shoes. They each only have one pair and as fast as they're growing there getting to be a bit small. So today was the day for a shopping trip. For reasons I won't mention these have been especially hard for me lately, but I'm working on it. Anyway....when I mentioned to the kids we were going to by shoes they were SO excited!

LB looks at me with his big blue eyes and says, "Mommy, do you think we can get some food too? Cause we're getting a little low on things." Of course I say, what kind of food are you thinking you want to get? His face lights up, and he runs out of the room. He returns shortly with his dream journal and a pencil. "We can make a list!" He exclaims. Sounds like a great idea buddy, let's do it! And so we did, and here it is a grocery list made by my little Monkeys.

Chips
Eggs
Rice
Hot Dogs
Dog Food
Treats
Cookies
Juice
Apples
Bananas
Oranges
Strawberries ( for smoothies, cause we want to make smoothies cause we have a blender you know!)
Milk (Curly yells "ill ill, I ah ill" which translates to milk milk, I want milk)
LB says, Mommy did you know that Walmart has a different kind of "dog milk" for dogs? One day Daddy and I went into a different kind of Walmart, and they had milk for dogs. We should buy some so that Rusty and Rebel can have some milk, cause milk is good for our bodies. But not dog milk for us, cause if WE drink the dog milk we will become dogs. Yeah, cause it's just that magical!

The list continues with Shoes, crayons, markers, paper, and last on the list is ROCK STAR toys, guitar for Curly, that he has to share with Rooster cause he's still a baby. Drums for LB, and a microphone for Rooster! You see, it's times like these my sacrfice pays!

Oh Boy

2011-02-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

Okay kids, that cute little "tutu bummie" belongs to my handsome little LB! My monkies were playing dress up today, and yes! Momma had batteries in her camera that weren't dead! Haaaaalleeeeeeelujah!! Soooooo, not only did LB wear Roosters barely used tutu, he also wore her.....

Swimsuit!! Notice that Rooster is sporting her favorite "boy panties" Yes, in case you were wondering I will be black mailing them with these pictures! Just below is a side view for your pleasure, and to prove that bummy does in deed belong to LB!

Rooster runs up to me in her brothers swimsuit and says "Mommy, I think Heavenly Father made a mistake. He should have made LB a girl and me the boy!!" Umm, okay. Yeah I'm at a loss for words with that one.

So you're not confused as to who is who...Left sporting some sweat shorts, "bum ba" PJ top, and "pida ma" snow boots is Curly. In the middle we have LB wearing a Da da da da da Dora swimsuit, and bed head. Finally on the right we have our resident tomboy Rooster in her favorite Hawaiian swim trunks WITH panties! Have I mentioned lately I love my children?

Scary Times

2011-02-23T16:57:00.000-08:00

The other day Hunk, Curly, and I spent all day at the Primary Children's Hospital. Testing, and waiting, and more testing. We went to the hospital in Riverton thinking that it would be faster than going all the way down town, boy was that a mistake! We were there all day! When they finally fit us in for an MRI they told us they couldn't do the test because Curly had had a bite yes a BITE of cookie! And that we were now after being there all day, being sent downtown to wait for them to have an opening for the MRI! I was pissed!The rath of Kimm came out and I cleared the room in .01 seconds! I didn't even feel guilty about yelling at them either! I was tired, and worried!

I guess I should explain why I was worried. While the kids were playing the day before this I noticed that Curly's face was a little droopy, okay a lot droopy! He had a crooked smile, and the side of his face didn't move. That night I was telling Hunk about my concerns when he told me that Curly had had a bad fall getting into the tub the night before. He was climbing into the tub and fell backwards landing on his head right on the tile floor!

All the tests came back as normal, and we were told that he has nerve damage in his face. It should clear up between 4-6 weeks. So now we wait! I don't like to wait, it makes me feel helpless and as a mother that is the last thing I want to feel!

Family Rules

2011-02-11T23:07:00.000-08:00

Last week the kids and I were watching one of our top 5 favorite shows...Super nanny! I use her time-out method, and her bed-time routine. It works! I like to watch it with the kids so they can see what "naughty kids" look like. LB said, "Mommy sometimes we're bad too, is Super nanny Jo going to come to my house?" I wish! Then I thought about it, umm Jo probably wouldn't like me telling my kids "I'm going to kick you in your teeth if you tell me no again!!" ha ha

On one of the commercials Rooster said, "Mommy, I'm thinking that our family doesn't have rules. Does that mean we can do whatever we want to?" I started thinking about it, and she is right. We haven't set clear rules, how can I expect them to live up to my standards if they don't even know what they are. SO tonight we gathered around our white board and discussed some family rules:

No biting, pinching, smacking, hitting, pushing, shoving, kicking.
(yes, I have to use all the verbs, because to them smacking and hitting are different!)
No yelling
No interrupting
No wining
No back talking
No jumping on the beds or the couches
No calling names
No getting into the fridge without asking
No slamming doors
No swearing (that one is mostly for me...I know you're surprised!)

SO funny, when we came to the "No Swearing" rule Rooster says, "except for me and Mommy when we have our special time." Hunk says "Oh really?" She looks at me like uh oh what did I just say. Turns to Hunk and says, "Yes! but that's our secret, so you just forget I said it and I'm zipping my lips!" She zipped em and threw away the key! At bedtime the kids let me know too that I was breaking the family rules, when LB said "you're bweaking the rules Mommy, you'we ewupting me! That's your warning." Wait a minute I thought to myself, I thought the rules were for everyone else!

Dreams

2011-02-11T18:24:00.000-08:00

As I sit here writing this blog my cute little Rooster is sitting on the arm of my couch (which she knows is mostly forbidden) writing in her own little notebook. I love that she is "journaling" at FIVE!

I love to journal, I haven't always been real good at it. When I transferred into the British Deaf Programme, I met the most amazing missionary/person I have ever met! She was Sister Farley, and she saved my missionary life! She was like I said that most AMAZING person. She taught me to sign, to teach the gospel, to work hard, to be patient, and to sacrifice. We made sacrifices so that we could find people to teach the gospel. Keep in mind some of the things we "sacrificed" were things that would benefit us.

I learned from Sister Farley that if you show the Lord you are willing to do whatever you promise, he will bless you! We did, and he did!! I could seriously go ON and ON about this wonderful person, and one day I will.....BUT today my point is this. One of the things that we promised the Lord we would do is to write in our journal, I kept that promise and we were blessed! 18 months is a long time to do something regularly and not continue it after. That's right! To this day I journal regularly....I love being able to look back and read about all the great times I have had, and the not so great times too! Thanks Farley!!

Now back to my Rooster, she is keeping what she calls a "dream journal" it's going to be full of all her dreams! I have to help her spell, and she is using lots of pictures and I LOVE IT! I love being able to learn about her! So far her dream journal has her 5th birthday when Spiderman came to her party. She has a picture of her and her daddy in their garden, pictures of her with her brothers, and pictures of her and me in my room having "special time" telling secrets. She also has a page with the words DISNEY LAND, and KAWASAKI because she wants one before her 13th birthday.....Oh boy!

Curly

2011-02-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

My baby! There has been a lot going on with little Curly. He is getting to be SO big, and wanting to try to go to the potty. I'm having mixed feelings about that. I'm ready to be done with diapers, but not sure if I'm ready for my "baby" to be a big boy!

I'm not sure if I have mentioned in my blog yet that Curly has hearing loss. It was a long drawn out road to get to that conclusion. Unfortunate for him, he is behind with his speech and language. Since we got test results showing the hearing loss we have been cramming signing down his throat! I mean I signed with all my kids anyway but not as intensely as I have with Curly. He is like a sponge! I love the progress he has made through the use of sign language! It's almost like he knew all the words before, but didn't have a way to express them!

I read him a "Signing Time" book once, and the second time through he knew all the signs! He is talking (not real clearly) a ton! Signing even more, and most important he is learning language! I love being able to watch his little personality come to life, and his facial expressions are awesome! I feel so blessed to know sign myself. I'm glad that my knowledge was able to break a barrier for him!

I Want Something

2011-01-23T22:42:00.000-08:00

Today my little-big boy comes up to me and says "Mommy, I want something Delicious, Delectable, and Delightful!!" I start naming of things, a cut of cheese, fruit snack, apple, I even tried ice cream. LB answered NO to every one of my suggestions. I said delicious, delectable, and delightful, he said. I tried a few more things and then I found it! I figured out what his pallet was craving, Macaroni & Cheese!

I should have known!! Delicious, delectable, and delightful!! I love being this kids mother!

Field Trip

2011-01-22T13:29:00.000-08:00

LB's preschool had "P" week, they learned about penguins. What better way than to SEE one in real life! His class took a field trip to the living aquarium, and we decided to make a family day out of it! The boys sized themselves up!

Here's Curly looking at the penguins.

Say Cheese!!

Or pull faces, whatever works for you...

That was better, maybe next time he'll look at the camera! Hey, a girl can dream.

Next was the stingrays. The kids couldn't believe that they could actually TOUCH them. LB kept asking "Are you sure they won't bite me?" I tried to convince him they wouldn't bite but he wasn't having it.

Curly and Rooster couldn't get enough of touching those slimy creatures. I had one brush by my fingers, and I almost screamed!! Of course I didn't though, I kept it together like the "big tough Momma" I am! It was tons of fun!

Fishies, and sharks, and turtles.... Oh my!

At the end of the day LB was crying! He didn't want to go home. He wants to live at the aquarium! "Don't worry Mommy, you won't miss me cause you can take a field trip and come to visit me! I'll be with the penguins or the giant spider!"

Just The Right Time

2011-01-11T22:07:00.000-08:00

You know kids really do say AND do the darnedest things! Perfect example happened just the other night, or day rather. Curly's speech-sign specialist was visiting practicing with the kids. LB had to use the bathroom. After a few minutes Rooster came running into the living room shouting "he peed on himself! LB peed on the step stool and it splashed on his face."

I look at the therapist and we both just laugh. Poor LB was screaming in the bathroom, Hunk ran to his rescue while I and the therapist tried to get it together enough to continue with Curly's therapy.

Oh the things kids say.....unfront of others!

Toothbrush Power

2011-01-05T19:03:00.000-08:00

Brushing time has always been a challenge in our home. I hear all kinds of belly aching like: Ouch that's too hard, the toothpaste is too hot, I'm too tired, and my favorite one... it gives me a tummy ache. Unless I wanted my children to look like they were from the back woods of West Virgina (where people have two teeth tops) something needed to change.

So, you can imagine the choir of angels that sang in the recesses of my mind when I found battery operated toothbrushes for like five bucks each! They're FANTASTIC! They each got their own little character Rooster got Spider Man (of course), LB got his new super hero, Iron Man, and Curly got Thomas the Train.

I had to literally pry the toothbrushes out of their hands! I think LB brushed his teeth like 50 times in one day and I'm NOT exaggerating!! No more dreams of toothless hillbilly children running around town dating their cousins for me! Thank you Oral B!

Year In Review (in pictures)

2011-01-05T12:41:00.001-08:00

Some random pictures

I came out of the bathroom to find Curly on the front porch in this outfit, with Rooster's back pack on signing "school".

Getting ready for Santa

Feeding his reindeer....(oatmeal and glitter) We put food out for them so they could help Santa find out house. A new family Christmas tradition!

Rooster showing her bag of food.

Christmas...

Day after Christmas ice fishing trip. Hunk caught 54 fish! No kidding. We have pictures! He is always SO proud.

This has been a crazy and hard year. Nothing really worked out the way I wanted it to, but it's all in the past now. I'm looking forward with eyes of hope!

Time Is Up!

2010-12-31T00:33:00.000-08:00

Man, I really blew it this year! So many amazing and funny things happened and I missed the opportunity to blog about them! I still have a love and desire to blog, just not as much time now that I have an addiction to FaceBook! Who invented that damn thing anyway!! It sucks up all the "spare" time I have!!

My next post will be my "Year In Review In Pictures" post, I'm looking forward to that! I have also almost finished Rooster's first three years of life memory in picture book! She's only five so I'm okay!! Thenn next will be LB'S book.

Here's to next year being better all around!!

2010-12-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

Get Daddy!!

2010-12-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

I love these moments. When the monkies are happy, and getting along with each other. No crying, no screaming, no tattle telling, and no whining!

We are all sitting around watching a show, when I begin to notice some quiet communication going on between Rooster and LB. They start with eye contact bewteen the two of them, then some head nods, followed up with eye gazing toward Hunk. Then all of the sudden they yell "GET DADDY!!!"

Three against one doesn't seem fair, unless it's children against Daddy! I almost peed my pants, it was hilarious.....They took turns farting in his face, and at one moment Hunk looked up at me with a green face and said " I could taste that one." ha ha ha ha

Gross

2010-11-29T19:39:00.001-08:00

Me: Ouchie Curly that hurt!!

Rooster: Mommy, what happened?

Me: E put his fingers in my eye.

Rooster: Gross, did he pick his nose first? Cause that would REALLY be gross!

Smile

2010-10-28T09:18:00.001-07:00

Backyard Fun

2010-09-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

Who needs a water park when you've got the Little Tikes Water Ball! One of my favorite things to do is watch these little monkies run, laugh, and play!

Their belly laughs could be heard through the whole valley!

Trophy's

2010-09-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

Cheese

2010-09-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm a dork! For most of you this is no news! Let me explain...I enjoy playing make believe with my monkies, and sometimes when I do this an accent is required! On this particular day I chose the accent of a famous Chef. I'm not sure what exactly I was going for, but it came out slightly Russian! I pulled the five pound block of cheese out of the fridge and in my "chef" voice said "Vhat is dis?" Rooster and LB screamed in unison CHEESE! Then I asked them a few thought provoking questions like.. "what is it used for?" "where does it come from?" I got some really great answers too, like.."cheese goes on top of food to make it better" "it comes from the cheese farm" After a few minutes of talking about that fact that cheese really does come from cows milk I decided to watch an online video about how cheese is made. Then.......

We made our very own cheese!

After we made the cheese we decide to make home made pizzas to go with it! We love flat bread pizza! It's healthier, and fun to make!

Each one is different, and made to perfection....just like us!

Captain Naked

2010-09-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

I feel like I need to start out by saying, I have NO idea where he comes up with these things! We were chilling at home, each of us doing our own thing. When all of the sudden I notice LB was missing. As I was just about to holler out his name he came running around the corner. Completely naked!! With his hands in "Super Hero" position he screamed in slow motion. " I AM CAPTAIN NAKED!!"

Without missing a beat he ran to Curly's toy phone, picked up the receiver and said, " Hello, I am captain Naked! Here for your rescue, he stops to listen....and continues, Yes, yes, I understand. Okay, don't cry yuby I will save your little brother, he will be saved by me CAPTAIN NAKED! Yes, I will save you too little girl never to fear." He hung up the phone and was on his way

To rescue the girl. He ran up to Rooster and saved her!! "I am here to save you, hold tight to me, and I will saaaavvvvvveeee you! I AM CAPTAIN NAKED!!"

Lost Smile

2010-09-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

The other day my little monkies were running around the house with "grumpy" faces. When I asked them what was wrong they simple stated "We've lost our smiles." I have no idea where these kids get their ideas! Okay, okay I do know, and I'm proud too!!

When I asked them what they were going to do about their smiles LB answered for both of them and said... " I think I could find it if you go to Mcdonalds!"

I'm five now!

2010-08-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

I never thought this day would really come! She's five!! My little "prince" is five! Yes, I did call her my prince, I would be disowned as her mother if I called her a princess!

That's something I was sure she would have grown out of by now, but NOT! I'm totally okay with that being a "tom-boy" myself. Rooster came to me on her birthday and told me, "I'm a big girl now mom, I'm five! That means you don't have to help me with things, I can DO THEM ON MY OWN!" I'M FIVE!"

Who knew this was her magical number? She had a list of things she could do now, it was as if she was looking forward to it.....haha just a few things on her list

Shampooing her own hair

Doing the washing part of the dishes

Helping LB shampoo his hair

Get after Mommy for not putting her shoes in the right place

Use a knife, only if someone grown-big is watching

Not have to do anything if SHE doesn't want to.

Go to school!

She, and her brothers are growing before my eyes! It's amazing to think that it was just five small years ago she came into this world, and changed my life forever!

Trees

2010-08-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

I look up and I see LB staring at me with his eyebrows furrowed. We lock eyes and he starts to walk toward me. With a stern voice he says "MOMMY, WE NEED TO TALK!"
I'm thinking I'm in trouble so I say "about what buddy?" he is now in my lap and says...Trees!

Tell me what you know about trees Mommy! So, I asked him what HE knew about trees and he said. "I know animals live in them, and they move when it's wind like this ( he puts his arms out and sways side to side), and I know they're GREEN! My favorite color, and the fairies are trying to protect them from the big black monster!"

I asked more questions about the fairies and figured out he had watched Fern Gully that day. After talking about trees for a few minutes his scowl turned to a smile! He looked up at me again with his big blue eyes and said "Thanks for the talk Mommy, let's do it again sometime!"

I Cleaned It

2010-07-26T08:17:00.001-07:00

Rooster comes bouncing in the room, with a proud smile on her face.

Me: What ya doing?
R: Nothing.
M: What's that behind your back?
R: It's your phone. (She pulls it out from behind her back and shows it to me)
Mommy, when I got your phone I thought you might me mad at me for touching it, cause you said not to touch your phone when you're not there. BUT my brain told me to touch it, and I can't make it stop. It keeps telling me to do naughty things. Argh, that brain!
M: Your brain?
R: YES! my brain, and it tells me to do naughty things, like touch your phone, and get into your make-up, and not listen to you and Daddy, and be mean to my brothers!
M: Oh, I see. That must be frustrating, so what about my phone again?
R: well, my brain told me to try to play a game, but I couldn't find one so I cleaned it instead!

My stomach sank, as this is a new smart phone and I was imagining her "washing it" in the sink. With a big gulp I said.."Washed it?"
She said "Yeah, I washed it like this." She demonstrates as she explains. First I hold the phone close to my mouth, then I lick it all over, then I use my hands to wipe off the spit, and sometimes I have to use my shirt too. Then I look at myself in it to see if I sparkle. She looks in it and says " I do! See Mommy, you will sparkle too look!"

Cinderella??

2010-07-11T20:09:00.001-07:00

Hunk and I were watching TV tonight, and LB came in and said......

Mommy, Daddy, did YOU know that Cinderella's God mother turns into a witch? But not the kind with a wand or a broom! One with (he puts his hand at the side of his mouth and whispers) a sleeping apple!

Terp Expo

2010-07-11T07:48:00.001-07:00

Things are a little out of order. I have been struggling with a bout of "bloggers block."When it comes down to the book the order of events isn't really the most important part anyway!So, terpexpo is a weekend of learning and fun! I was able to go this year to Norfolk VA with some girlies from work! It was a good time, we laughed, we cried, we walked, we ate, and we rode, BUT we...didn't get much rest! Here are some pictures of our trip!

I hope you can see the small ones! I had such a good time with these gals! I can't wait to go again next year!

Am I In Trouble?

2010-07-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

LB has recently developed a habit or running off and doing whatever he wants! He is so independent! I'm happy about it, but at the same time wish he would realize he needed me more.

We were at Grandpa Milty's house visiting with James, Shannon, and Clay. (Hunk's brother, and his family) It was great to meet Shannon, and see the boys again, it has been TWO years since we saw them! We were all sitting around chatting, and I noticed that LB was missing. I hobbled around the house looking for him, and couldn't find him anywhere, so I went outside. I noticed the van door was open so I crept up to the van. I saw him buttoning up his pants, and said LB!

He jumped to attention, with eyes wide open said, "What?" He looked guilty! There was no way to hide that! "What do you have?" I asked. He looks at me with wide-open-guilty eyes and says, "nothing, and there is nothing in my pockets either Mommy!" I give him my "mother" look and ask him if he was sure, to which he replies....Will I be in trouble?

I told him if he was honest he wouldn't be in trouble. Then he said, "what about time-out?" By this time I was getting frustrated, so I said firmly "LB, just tell me!" He looked around, pulled out his pockets and pulled his shorts down, looked up at me with a smile as big as Texas and said "I put on Curly's swimming diaper, am I in trouble?"

I laughed and said "no buddy, you're not in trouble" He said "I love you Mommy, thanks for not getting me in trouble." and in the house we went!

Yoga

2010-07-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

So one day, I was looking through the "On Demand" kids section on the DVR. I wanted to find a cool kid focused exercise for my little monkies to do, and I did!! Yoga, and they love it!! They do a real great job following the instructor, and love the tree pose! Curly likes to dance around the other two while they're "working out," and I love to sit back and watch them. I could do it all day. Actually since my knee surgery that is exactly what I have been doing all day!

Papa's Potty

2010-06-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

We were at my Mom and Dad's the other day, had a nice loooong visit! My monkies love going there and playing with their cousin Boogie!! After we left, Hunk and I were parched so we went to The Maverick, they were having buy two get one free Gaterade! ( gater-ate as the kids say)

As Hunk was walking in the store Rooster says, "Mommy, I'm going to pee my pants! I can't hold it, I need to go!" I check with her to make sure she REALLY needs to go, as often she claims bladder eruptions when really she only wants to check out the facility! She assures me that this time she really has to go. Just about that time Hunk was climbing in the van. I told him the good news, and we were off.....back to Nanny and Papa's for the potty!

We arrived shortly, and Rooster jumped out of the car and hustled in to the house. She ran down the hall way and into Papa's room. My dad works early so he goes to bed early, and he had just gotten in bed when Rooster bursts into his room and says: "Sorry for the "trusion" Papa, I have to pee, and I ran into the house, but not too fast cause I don't have my shoes on, and Sassy is in the other bathroom so I had to come and use yours Papa, I couldn't make it all the way home without peeing my pants, so that is why my Mommy and Daddy brought me here to your house okay Papa? Well, I'm done now Papa, BUT I have to wash my hands first. Okay, love you Papa bye!

Papa says.....Umm Rooster girls are supposed to close the door when they use the potty. She throws her arms and him and says "Oh Papa, it's just us!!"

Month in Review

2010-06-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

It seems like AGES since I have posted anything here! Of course there has been plenty going on!

Just to name a few things....I went to a TERPEXPO in Virgina with some good friends, Rooster graduated from preschool, I had knee surgery and have been off work for too long! I think that is the reason I haven't posted really. It hurts a little bit too much to sit at the computer! I have decided that I will use some on my Facebook entries to provide you with an over view of what has been going on......

Time to hit the sack on my new Sealy! That's right, Momma spoiled herself! Ahhh sweet dreams! I have been needing a new bed since LB was conceived! Oh, is that too much information?

Remembering when having a day off work meant: I get to lay around and relax all day!! NOW, I can hardly remember what the word "relax" means.....

Ready for surgery, well as ready as I can be... here's hoping for a speedy recovery, I'm scheduled to work next Wednesday! For the record I posted this comment on May 27th and have yet to go back to working full-time!

Dear Percocet, I love you.....the end!

My kids have been home for only thirty minutes and I have been jumped on THREE times! Its going to be a long week! PS I still love you percocet!

I've decided crutches are NOT I repeat NOT fun! Is it 14 days yet? On a positive note due to pain meds, I can no longer feel my nose! (crutching away chuckling) I have enjoyed lots of time under the influence of pain medicine!! It's been nice, and I've been told I am hilarious (like I didn't already know that)

I'm starting to get cabin fever! My DVR is empty, and I'm about to reach my limit of PPV's! Ahhhhhh, can't wait to get back to work on Monday, even if it is only FOUR hours!

Nine days post op! It's time for Mister Pain to take a long walk on a short pier! Are you starting to see a pattern?

Kenny and the kids went to Grandpa's house, so its just me, the TV, my crutches and Mr. Percocet! Ahh, its gonna be a good day! Now where's the remote?

Mr Percocet and I are having a special moment, sitting on my patio swing watching a Robin eat worms from my garden. This is,well...I'm hoping real cause its pretty cool!

Are crutches considered lethal weapons, if I beat my kids with them? Not that they're being bad. I'm just a little bored!..........calm down I'm totally kidding. OK partially!

Dear inner bikini model: Come out, come out, wherever you are.......

It's been a really long month, and I haven't hardly done anything but take pain pills and complain! ha ha

Slacker.....

2010-05-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

WHAT? Are you talking to me? Well, you should be!! I can't believe I haven't had a post since Mother's Day! I know you are all dying to know what is going on in my life, and I am more than happy to tell all........as soon as I get some time!!

Peace, Love, and Days Of Our Lives!

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T17:50:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day, is a wonderful day, isn't it?

I had a great one this year! I was able to sleep in until about TEN am!! Woah!! I felt like I was going to have a headache from "over sleeping"! LB and Hunk woke me up with smiles as wide as the Mississippi River! Shortly after that I was served TWO fried eggs on a plate, by my Little LB. Rooster spent the night with her Nanny, so she wasn't home. LB kept saying "Happy mother's day, it's your day Mommy!"

I love him! I love all my monkies, and Hunk! I got a beautilful patio swing! I love it!

Surprise!

2010-05-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

So Today while I was at work I got a picture message from Hunk! It was a cute little picture of LB and Rooster. I laughed a lot! I worked for a few more hours and was surprised when I got home and saw this......

Should I be worried??

Boy or Girl?

2010-04-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Tonight my "mother of the year" self took the kids to Arctic Circle for dinner. Can I just say I love that place? I spent a lot of years of my life there, and I'm not talking about going for meals! I was an assistant manager for years, and LOVED it!

Anyway, my little monkeys have been on this kick lately. For some odd reason they want to know the names of everyone we see! So, I have been saying "Hey, what's your name?" A LOT lately. Tonight as we pulled up to the window a tall skinny "boy" welcomed us with a smile and said "hi, that's $14.27." I could see the wheels in Rooster's head turning. I was praying not to hear what I heard next. "Mommy, is that a boy or a girl?" The person at the window handed my mom her change and we locked eyes. It was as if the person was waiting to hear my answer! I smiled and said thank you.

Rooster then says, "that was weird Mommy, "it" looked like a boy, but the voice sounded like a girl." Was "it" a boy or a girl? I was trying to think of another subject to talk about, but NOTHING was coming!! "Well, I don't know sweetie." Was all I could muster.

Suddenly Rooster was confident! She had figured it out, and shouted I know! It's a he and a she!

Have you?

2010-04-14T19:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt like you're surrounded by a BRICK WALL?
Or, no matter how hard you try at something, you'll NEVER GET IT RIGHT? Have you ever felt like you have surveyed each and every option, and still found NOTHING?
Or that you're OUT OF OPTIONS?

Have you ever felt that being told no is merely a CHALLENGE and an opportunity TO PROVE YOURSELF? Or, that no matter how many times you fall flat on your face you will GET RIGHT BACK UP again? Have you ever felt like the POWER to make a CHANGE is in YOU?

Yeah, me too!

Frustration!!

2010-04-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

Today we had our meeting with Granite School District. I was really looking forward to getting LB signed up for their "Special Ed" preschool! Something good for him in a range we can afford.

We spent about THREE HOURS filling out one questionnaire after another! They did some of their own tests on him. They validated the fact that he is on the clinical level for everything. Adaptation, anxiety, depression, and others. He was no where near "average". They weren't telling us anything we didn't already know. I mean we have had more than one opinion on the matter!

In the end, we were told that his diagnosis of Autism although valid would not "HINDER" his education! He was not eligable for thier preschool! I almost lost it right there!! I mean HELLO!! They just got done telling us that he was at clinical level! BUT he is so smart!!

He wasn't "autistic enough"!!! He freaks when anything is out of his "normal", he doesn't play with other kids, he lines all his toys up, walks on his tippy toes ALL THE TIME, and, and , and....
He's just too smart! Therefore I am back at square one! And pissed as hell!

I guess I should clarify....I AM very happy that my little man as one less thing to contend with as he is growing...but come on!! The kid needs to catch a break! I need to catch a break, before I have a break down!

Flowers

2010-04-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Already April

2010-04-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

My hell this year has gone by SO fast! I can't believe it's April already! I also can't believe I woke up yesterday to a yard of snow!!! What happened to spring? I know! It's nuts!

So, the other day Rooster and I were "getting ready" which basically means brushing our hair and putting some make-up on our faces! She asked me if she could have a turn with the brush. I of course said YES! She started brushing my hair ever so gently and said "Mommy, have you ever thought about what you want to be when you grow up? Like, maybe you want to be a person that paints on peoples hair, or a doctor maybe. I've been thinking about it "myseth", and I'm not ready to pick yet. I want to be everyone! BUT for now I'll just be me, is that okay Mommy?" "That sounds fantastic to me" I said, and we hugged! It was a very sweet and tender moment! I miss them, you know, working and all! It was nice! I love being a mom!

I love having these little people around me daily! They teach me SO much more than I teach them! I'm not trying to get sappy, I just want to say I'm grateful.......the end!

My Journey's Just Begun!

2010-03-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

The Biggest Loser casting directors had no idea what was coming there way!! Me and my Momma!! What a great day!! My brother won us a VIP front of the line pass from KBER!! So we didn't have to stand in line all day! We had a FANTASTIC audition!! I was sure they were going to pick us!! I was waiting by my phone from Saturday until Tuesday, every time it rang my heart would race! They didn't call, and that's okay! All is not lost! We have to make a video, there is still a chance! PICK ME! PICK ME! oh yeah, and my momma too!!

There were 1250 people lined up that day for a chance to change their life! What an amazing sight! It was inspiring! I realized something really important that day too, I CAN DO IT! With or without the show, I can! I finally came to grips with the large reality which is ME, and it's time for my inside and outside to match! It's time for a change, a BIG change! Whatever it takes I'm willing! I'm going to do it for ME! Yes, I realize doing for me is a new concept I will have to learn, but this old dog is ready for a new trick!

Teaser........

2010-03-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Story Time With Rooster

2010-03-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

At bed time last night, I was telling a story. My kids call it The Three Bears story. I was about half way through the story when Rooster says "Can I tell the Goldie Locks story now?" I was a little confused at this point since that is what I thought I was doing, and of course I wanted to hear her story, so I said "sure!" This was her story........

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Goldie Locks.

She had "boingy" hair. She was walking in the forest one day, carrying a basket.

When all of the sudden out jumped the BIG BAD WOLTH, and he said

(using a deep voice) Hey! What's in your basket?

(using a high squeeky voice) It's cookies, for my Nanny, she is sick.

(using the wolf voice she says) Well! I'm going to eat them all up!

And then the wolth took a short cut through the woods to nannys house.

He knocked on her door, and when she answered he shoved her in the closet!

She fell asleep! The wolth put on Nanny's clothes and got in her bed. He was pretending to be the Nanny. Goldie Locks was tra-la-la-la-laing to her Nanny's house.

When she got there she saw Nanny in the bed and said, (using voices again) why Nanny what big ears you have. All of better to hear you with my deeeear.

Why Nanny, what big eyes you have. All of better to see you with my deeeear.

Why Nanny ( at this point she was getting louder, and louder)

WHAT BIG TEETH YOU HAVE. ALL OF BETTER TO EAT YOU AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!

And the wolth chased Goldie Locks around the house! She ran outside, and saw a man chopping down a tree and said "help me, help me, the wolth is chasing me!"

And the man took the wolth and tied him up to the tree and chopped his head off!

Then Goldie Locks went back to her Nanny's and she woke up from her nap, and they ate cookies!

The wolth untied himself, found his head and put it back on. He said he was sorry to Goldie Locks and Nanny. Happily ever after.....The end!

She was SO animated! I love that there are parts of the story that I tell her in there, and lots of her own!! She told me I could film her, so I will try to post that too!! She is a hoot!! I love her! She is one of my besties for sure!! I love love love all my kids for sure, and never one more than another! I do love the relationship her and I are developing!! I hope it remains strong over the years!

Cheating Me

2010-03-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Granny Hawk is visiting us at the moment, so my monkeys are a little......HYPER! After the long week I have had, I was ready for them to go to bed at 4!! This seems to be happening a lot lately! They do go to bed fairly well, when the sun goes down they know it's time for bed! That's why I'm SO sad we have to change our clocks again soon! I have SO loved Mr. Sun going to bed at an early hour!

Tonight I reached a moment I was ready to pull my hair out, and had this conversation with LB...

Me: It's almost bed time.
LB: No, it's not!
Me: Yes, it is. The sun is going down, it's getting dark outside, AND that means bedtime. LB looked out the window, furrowed his eyebrows, and then looked back and me and said

" Are you cheating me??"

I laughed, Granny Hawk laughed, and then LB not having any idea why laughed too!!

I love laughing! I love the way Roosters eyes disappear when she laughs! I love that I can see LB's tonsils, because his mouth opens so wide! I love that Curly uses his hands to cover his mouth when he laughs!

I love the bending over, slapping the knee, holding their sides laughing my monkeys do when they tell each other their own "made-up" jokes! That I laugh at even though they make no sense to me at all, like I love you......in a cup!

Laughing! I hope I never forget how to enjoy you friend! Even if it's by myself about myself!

Shave

2010-03-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

Finally An Answer

2010-03-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

We have been attending The Children's Center as a family for awhile now. LB has been struggling with things at home for some time. If I really sit down and think about it, it goes back to when he was a young baby. I always thought that something was different about him, but anytime I brought up concerns they were quickly brushed away as "hormones."

After hearing "Oh you're just paranoid" for so long you start to believe it yourself! But, when I went back to work full time things really changed. I thought at first he just needed time to adjust, but he didn't seem to get used to it like Rooster did. He started acting out more, and more! There was an incident that peaked my concern, and I went in search of help. That's when I found The Children's Center. They're fantastic! A little slow, but worth the wait! After tons of family meetings, questionnaires, and a lot of paper work they have come to the conclusion that my little monkey is autistic.

Yeah, I'll be honest, it's hard to swallow! I have hopes and dreams for my children! What they'll do and who they'll become and then, someone slaps a label on them that makes me question if all those things are still possible! Will he be a scholar, an athlete, a missionary, a husband, a father? Is he going to have to work super hard and fight for everything? I have no doubt he can, but that is not the dream I had for him.

I'm sure most of you are thinking in one way or another, Really? I know I did. But yes, really. He is definately on the higher functioning end of the spectrum, for which I am grateful.

I don't mean to sound all gloom and doom. I do know things will be fine, LB will be fine! I just have SO many unanswered questions, it's frustrating! I want to give him every opportunity to have the most success! I don't know how to do that now.....

Ahhhh! Anyway tomorrow is a new day, LB starts a new pre-school at The Children's Center I'm attending a parenting class and doing the best I can to keep my head above the water with all that is going on in this crazy life of mine.....this issue only being one small part of the BIGGER picture!

I believe I agreed to all this, before I came to earth. So next time, I will be reading the fine print!!!!

The Words Coming Out Of My Mouth

2010-02-20T18:35:00.001-08:00

DO NOT put your naked bum on my couch!
We don't hit in this family!
Keep your hands out of your pants, and to yourself!
Furniture is for sitting...not jumping, standing, or sliding....
Bickering will cost you TWO TICKETS!
It's time to go potty.
You pooped your pants again?
Thank you, you just earned two tickets!
I think it might be bedtime! ( at 4 pm)
Yes, Mommy HAS to work tomorrow!
I love you too baby!
It's not nice to pull hair.
Touch your nose if you're listening!
Great job!
I am immune to your tears!
Clean up, everybody, everywhere... everybody do your share!
Ahh...You're naked!!
What ARE you doing?
It's time to park your cars, and go to bed!
If you stick your tongue out again it's MINE!
No I won't read the same book again, pick another one.
Let's sing a song!
WHO MADE THIS BIG MESS??
Time to put the microphones away for awhile!

Levels of Love

2010-02-13T19:49:00.000-08:00

LB and I were sitting on the couch tonight, cuddling and reading books. He looks up at me with his big blue eyes and we have this conversation....

Mommy, do you love me??

Of course I do buddy!

I love you too mommy. This much, and shows me two fingers....

I love YOU this much, and I show him all five fingers.....his eyes get really big...and he says....

MOMMY, you love me with your heart AND your boobie!!

These are the moments I live for!

Sick Again

2010-02-09T14:03:00.000-08:00

Seems like every time I turn around one of my family members is sick! I mean come on! Enough is enough already! I can't wait for spring! Curly took another trip to Primary Children's Medical Center again. This time he didn't have to stay! YES! I say hallelujah all the way home! He did have to go the a respiratory clinic though. During his first visit there the specialist discovered he wasn't getting enough oxygen in his little lungs, so we they sent him home with his very own oxygen tank!

It was a shock to the system to say the least! I really don't know how Mom's with children that are really seriously sick keep it together. I was wavering on basket case! What am I saying "WAS" I still am. I worry way too much! He had an appointment today, and it went well! He is still home, and as you can see from the pictures in good spirits! We had to basically use a whole roll of tape on his face to keep him from pulling the oxygen tube out of his nose! He is one tough little boy! I think he gets it from his Momma!

So....this is the at home oxygen tank/bed massage! Our bed at moment is just a set of matress on the floor, so you can image the vibration this little puppy was giving our matress! We had to put it on a blanket so we could get a good night sleep!! Ahhh....the things I could say, the places I could go with a story like that........but don't worry...I won't!

Glitter Time!

2010-01-26T20:41:00.000-08:00

You would know by the looking at her face in this picture, but Rooster loves making glitter art! As soon as Curly is napping her and LB run to me with their "puppy dog eyes" begging for glitter!

How can I say no! LB loves making a mess! I mean come on, he IS a boy after all! After his glue is covered he dumps his glitter on the table. "oops, I better clean that up", he says. He does, using his hands! So, now his hands are COVERED with glitter! He looks up at me with a mile long smile and says " Moooooomy, I'm glitter man!" He walks over to his Daddy and gives his cheeks a little pat pat pat! Holds his hands in the air, and in true super hero fashion shouts " I'm Glitter-man!"

Rooster's Spanish

2010-01-26T19:55:00.001-08:00

Tonight I asked Rooster if her room was clean.
She says.." A few things, Mom. and that's Spanish for just a little messy!"

Dinner With Batman

2010-01-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

Okay, so he's not the REAL Batman, but to my kids he is a "Super Hero" Unka Jordan! We don't get to see Jordan and Kelly as much as we would like to, because we don't live close, which is a total bummer. So, we invited them for dinner, and had a fantastic time! Dinner was fabulous, as to be expected, I am married to a chef after all!

They played Batman, rode their plasma cars all over the house, played hide-and-seek, and any other game the kids wanted to play! Unka Jordan is always willing to play no matter the game, and my little monkeys just love that!

After hours of running, screaming, hiding, counting, riding cars, trying to go potty,laughing, and having a great time, LB says "Unka Jordan, will you read me a book?" Of course I will buddy, was his reply. So everyone piled on to the love seat for a quick read, and some pictures!

Kelly and Jordan have only been married a little over one year, but I feel like I've known him a lifetime! He is about the neatest guy I have met in a long time! I'm SO glad for his special example, for his friendship with my children, and with me! You ROCK Unka Jordan!

I feel lucky for my kids! They have the coolest Aunts and Uncles in their lives! I'm glad for that! Each with their own unique examples! Thanks to all of you for the love you show my monkeys! Families are a wonderful blessing! I'm grateful for mine!

Faces

2010-01-19T18:08:00.001-08:00

Rhyme Time

2010-01-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

Rooster is learning a lot this year in preschool! She has learned to write her name....quite well I might add! She has learned to count to THIRTY, recognize letters and their sounds!

This month they must be learning to rhyme. She walks around the house constantly asking me if two words rhyme, sometimes they're random words with nothing in common but the first letter! Other times she will take the ending sound of the word and add an "L" and make it rhyme, like: School and lool. Or door and loor...always followed with the question "does that rhyme?"

She's starting to get it down, tonight while the monkeys were playing around she was practicing again block, lock, hawk. Box, fox, hox, lox, then there was school, gool, hool. Innocently playing on his own LB makes his own rhyme......Truck, luck, f**** I think you can fill in the blank!

As soon as he realized what he had said, his eyes were as big as Texas! "Sorry, Mommy!" he said, as he was walked toward the "time-out" chair and sat down. I told him "good rhyming, but we don't say words like that! Sadly, he said " I know, I'm sorry Mommy." After a couple of minutes he got up and said, "Am I done with my time out now?"

2010-01-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is a Spider-man shirt underneath her "girl" sweat shirt. It's the only way we can get her to wear girl clothes!

He used to flash me such a handsome smile, and now all I get is this! grrr!

Ahh, my sweet little Curly!! Love his smile....

Two Minute Memories

2010-01-08T19:01:00.001-08:00

Life is a series of memories, that are made in a matter of minutes! Tonight my little family was able to make a few with G-ma D, and G-pa M! The two of them stopped by on their way to Ogden, to drop off some ice fishing tackle for Hunk. Since this is the first time they have been over since Christmas, the monkeys had to "show up" their toys! After riding their cars for a few minutes, LB came and got G-pa "Close your eyes, I want to show you something." He said. G-pa of course obliged! LB then led him into their bedroom, and showed him the limbo game. The monkeys love it!

"Let's play limbo!" said LB "Yeah, limbo! it's SO fun!" shouted Rooster. In unison they began to sing "Limbo lower now, how low can ya go?" G-pa's face gleamed with joy for a short moment, and then he announced it was time to go. There was no time for limbo tonight. The monkeys wouldn't take no for an answer, and continued chanting "limbo lower now" Let's limbo G-pa, we want to limbo!

G-ma and G-pa looked at each other for a brief moment, and G-ma D said "Okay, we can stay and play limbo for TWO MINUTES, and then we have to go! With ear to ear grins the monkeys ran into the living room, limbo game in tow!

"You have to play the song, Mommy! Huwwy up! Did you get it?" bellowed LB with great excitement! "Yes, I got it!" I said, as I pushed play on the song, and grabbed my camera!

"Limbo Rock" came blasting out of the speakers, and the game was on! The kids wanted G-ma to go first and so she did! It was a hoot! She had this funky hand thing going on and did you see the huge grin on her face? Second the monkeys had their turn, and lastly was G-pa! G-pa, did a little "warm up" jig to get the blood pumping in all the right places. "I'm only doing this once." he said, and he was off! They limbo'd and danced until the song was over!

As they left all the monkeys lined up at the door to wave good-bye! They were blowing kisses, signing I love you, waving bye-bye, and at the last moment before I closed the door Rooster sang " Oh what fun it is to write in a one whore open sleigh, and good-bye!"

Two minutes of limbo, and a lifetime of memories!! Thanks G-ma and G-pa! We love you!

What About Mine?

2010-01-05T15:12:00.000-08:00

Is what LB asked when Rooster got her nails painted! "Mommy, I want mine colored too" he said. I explained to him that it was a "girl" thing. "Boys don't have painted nails, Bubba" I'm sorry. You want to read a book?" I was trying the distraction method. It didn't work! "NO! I WANT MY NAILS COLORED!"

As you can see from the pictures, he got his way! For the record it was not my choice! Him and his bestest friend/sister Rooster snuck into the other room, and she painted his nails! I came in and saw this.....him picking the colors out, a different one for each toe. Just like Rooster had done on her feet! I'm SO glad she thought of getting a towel! Whew!

Sometimes they do things that make me ANGRY! They also do things that are just too cute to be mad at! Bath time that night was from H E double L!

LB didn't want to put his newly painted toes in the water because they would "melt away". After a little coaxing, a couple of furrowed eye brows, and slight raise of the voice... he enter the tub! The paint however survived, and for a few more days my little man had the twinkling toes of a princess!

Cookies With Katie

2010-01-03T19:45:00.001-08:00

As you might know Hunk is the cook in our family, so when my little monkeys told me they wanted ME to bake cookies with them I was a little scared! I mean, I can follow a recipe...well kind of! I once thought a "splatter screen" was a "pizza pan" with a super duper rubber handle, and put it in the oven! OH the smell was horrible!! I also started the same stove on fire while cooking some eggs for breakfast, and burned oatmeal cookies to an unrecognizable crisp!

Umm let me think.....one other time about 5 years ago, I pre-heated the oven to make cookies, but forgot to check INSIDE the oven. Let's just say the Domino's Pizza box didn't survive! Hence the facebook status today that read: Three excited monkeys...check! Pre-made cookie dough...check! Fire extinguisher, on hand and ready at any moment...check! Ahh, fun times baking with Mommy!

Hunk had left to go to watch the UFC fight with Uncle Casey in Tooele. So I was flying solo! Just me, the monkeys, and the oven!

By the time I found the courage to bake, it was about 8 pm! I had everything ready to go, and then I hear bling bling come from my cell phone. It was my friend Katie, she wanted to come over! I was excited! At least I didn't have to be alone with the oven!

It just so happens she is a PRO in the kitchen, and loves to bake.....so we all had some fun baking cookies....and eating them! Lunch Box and Rooster had a great time, and bragged about how they already knew how to bake cookies, because they did it once with their Auntie Kelly!

I was watching a show on the Food network tonight, that I might have to try out for....Worst Cooks in America, I think I might have a chance to actually win!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T06:42:00.000-08:00

Well, it has come to and end! One more year has flown right by! I hope this year was everything you all dreamed it would be, and more, and that next year will be even better!

Have a safe and happy new year!

Year In Review (in pictures)

2009-12-29T19:50:00.001-08:00

Sorry, no explanation for all these pictures. I'm slurping my blog to a book and I wanted these in it, so I had to add them in. Enjoy them anyway! Thanks for reading. I will return next year!!

Santa Time

2009-12-28T19:15:00.001-08:00

LB started Christmas this year with a midnight snack!! This kid loves any kind of cheese! I have actually caught him gnawing on a block of cheese....and yes I have pictures!

Rooster dreams of all the Spider man things she is gonna get, although I don't know how she sleeps! I couldn't handle being stared at all night long by Spider man! Kinda creepy!

And this is the only time Tornado is at rest.......excuse me while I bask in it for a moment.......

Ahhhh, the plasma cars!! This was the best gift! Even Hunk has been enjoying riding them around!

LB was SO excited when he opened his Batman costume! He had to call his Unka on the way home to ask him if he wanted to come over to play it with him! He runs arounds singing nuna nuna nuna nuna batman!

Here's our new T.V. we love love love.....I seriously don't know how I ever watched non HD television EVER! I hope you all had a great Christmas! My favorite part was watching my kids be so excited about their gifts. I feel like I need to be sappy, and thank my Heavenly Father for all my many blessings. I try not to make this a "testimony blog" so I'll keep it brief! I'm SO excited to be a mom, it's what I've always wanted to be when I grew up! My children give me more joy than I can put into words! I know that everything I have is because of the Lord, and his sacrifice! I am grateful for his love, and for the atonement! Without it, where would I be!

2009-12-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

A Little Afternoon Fun

2009-12-16T15:34:00.000-08:00

LB and Rooster, having a little bit of fun......they decided to play "jail", not sure where they got that idea. LB put on his "jail face" for the pictures, which speak for themselves!

The Helk

2009-12-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

What a handsome group of men eh? Looking cold though! Hunk went elk hunting this year (he's the one kneeling, for those of you that don't' know) with his father, (back row, black jacket..no hat) Unka J, (left side to Hunk's Dad) and Unka J's brother and father-in-law. ( the other two in the picture) Rest assured they had a good time, and have a story to tell. One that includes walking around in the cold snow all day tracking the elk. Finally spotting the animal, setting the rifle sights to the neck region, (this is to save the meat) firing the gun, watching the animal fall, tracking the wounded elk, finding the animal no longer living.Finally, hauling the enormous body back to camp. Fun stories for them to share, BUT this is my blog, and there will be no talk of that!

Hunk was gone for the weekend, on Sunday night Tornado, LB and I ventured to Tooele to pick him up. (Rooster...aka Spiderman was having an extended sleep over at her beloved Nanny's house) I explained to LB where we were going and that Daddy and Grandpa and got an Elk. He innocently asked "What are they doing with it?" which sparked up an interesting conversation that went something like this...

Me: Well, we're going to cook it up and eat it.
LB: But it will kick us...
Me: No, baby Grandpa shot it with his gun, it's dead
LB: No, no it's not Mommy!
Me: Yes it is baby.
LB: You mean the helk got dead?
Me: Yes, the elk is dead.
LB:So, he's in the sky?
Me: Yes.
LB: (without missing a beat) I know Mommy! I can put on my mask and magic cape, and wiggle it like this. (He starts moving his little arms and body back and forth, up and down.)
Me: Okay, that sounds like a good plan
LB: Yeah, then I will fly to heaven and get that "helk" I will wiggle my magic cape to get there, and I will kiss that "helk" better. I think it might have blood, so I will clean it up and give it a bandaid too, okay mommy?
He has such an imagination! I'm not sure where he comes up with all these things, but I do love listening to him go on and on about how HE is going to save the world!

Cake Face

2009-12-02T20:22:00.000-08:00

I was looking through my tens of thousands of pictures, and wanted to share these three! It's each one of my babies with their "first" birthday cake! I can't believe how quickly they grow!

I'm sure within a few blinks they'll all be graduating school, getting married, and having babies! Hopefully a mission or three in there somewhere too! I love being a Mom! It is definitely challenging, and tiring, but WORTH it!

I never knew I could love three people this much! I love that I laugh everyday at least twice at these monkeys, and I love that they love me too!

Favorite Movie

2009-11-27T20:24:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up one of my favorite movies to watch was The Sandlot! It was tied with West Side Story, and The Princess Bride! I'm totally dating myself here! You see, when other kids my age were making out in cars, drinking their parent's alcohol and blaming it on their brothers (cough), and finding all kinds of trouble. I with a small select group of friends, watched movies!

During the summer I would hurry to do my chores, and run off to my best friends house to watch our favorite movies, OVER and over! It was disgusting actually! We knew every word! Ahhh, the stories I could tell. Hey, there's an idea for my first book! Anyway, I digress!

Seems as though my children have found the same love for The Sandlot! We were flipping through the channels one day, and there it was! Of course I, being "in charge" of the remote said "this is it!" There were a few grunts and groans, but as the words "You play baseball like a girl" came out of the surround sound speakers. There was silence! They were drawn in like flies to a steaming pile of, you know what! There could have been an earthquake, you know like the one that is going to take out half of the Salt Lake valley. They wouldn't have known!

This pleased me! It was time for a commercial, and if you follow my blog you know what that means! This time was a little different. (whew!) L.B and Rooster turned in unision and said "What is this movie called?" "It's called The Sandlot," I said. Then explained to them it was one of my all time favorite movies. "Sand lock, do we have this movie?" asked Rooster. As I began to answer the movie came back on. Their heads spun like a top toward the TV, and I no longer exsited!

During the next few weeks they begged me everyday to buy them the "Sand lock" movie. Because I liked it, I did!

Anyway, to the point of my post. The other day L.B was chasing Rooster through the kitchen and down the hall way. Rooster looks at me and shouts " Ohhhhhh shhiiitttt!" I said, "THAT is a BAD word!!" To which she replies, "uh, I know that Mommy, (rolling her eyes) BUT we're just playing "Sand lock". Well alrighty then! Does the fact that I let my children watch movies that swear make me a bad parent? Or is it the fact that I was laughing so hard I couldn't punish her for bad language? Either way I guess!

2009-11-27T08:25:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Snowing

2009-11-25T10:04:00.000-08:00

We took the kids to see a movie the other day. Planet something. (ugh, I forgot) It was a cute movie about an alien planet. I won't say anymore about it, don't want to ruin it for you!

Anyway, on our way into the theater it started to snow a little. Rooster looked up to the sky in amazement. She turned to me with her eyes wide open, and the biggest smile her face could make, and said "Mommy, can you believe it?" She looked up again, then back at me. Still smiling.
"Mommy, it's raining popcorn!"

I love this girl!

Commercials

2009-11-20T09:08:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, who doesn't love a good commercial? ME that's who! You see, this is the reason I love love love my DVR so much. Here's a little glimpse of what it's like to watch commercials at my house.

An add comes on the TV advertising for any product geared to the female gendered child.......

R: Hey Mommy, I want that
Me: ( thinking to myself: Here we go again) Okay.
LB: Will you share with me? I want it too
R: NO! It's only for girls
LB: (sadly) ooohhh

Second add comes on for a product for male gendered children......

LB: I WANT THAT!
Me: Okay.
R: Hey, are you gonna share, cause sharing in the nice thing to do
LB: I have to think about it, (in the same breath) No!
R: MOOOOOM, he won't share his toy!!
Me: oh, I'm sorry. Were you going to share yours?
R: NO!
Me: Well then....
R: Stomps off to her room!
About a minute or two later she returns, and calmly states: LB, I have an idea! I will share if you do, and we can use "team-work" when we play. Does that sound like a good idea?
LB: okay!

Lastly, an add that is not gender specific.....

R: I want that Mommy, for my birthday
LB NO, I want it for my birthday!
R: Well, then I want it for Christmas!
LB: No you can't, it's mine for my birthday! I won't share it!
Their volume has already reached deafening decible by this point. They continue...
R: You HAVE to share!
LB NO, I don't!
They go on and on for what seems like eternity! My blood begins to boil! It starts in my toes and goes upward. My body is warm all over, my hair is on end! Suddenly, out of my own control, my voice roars like thunder..

There will be no more Birthday or Christmas EVER if you two don't stop it!

They're stopped in their tracks, frozen with fear! LB turns to Rooster and says, "Oh No! We made Mommy a monster again!" She looks at him and says "Yes, we did!"

My New Do

2009-11-17T15:25:00.001-08:00

I posted this picture on Facebook, so for those of you that follow both......Sorry! I really like the way this new color and cut look! It's amazing how a little chemical and some scissors can change the way you feel about yourself. I mean I always knew I was a beautiful person somewhere, and now I know.....It's my hair!!

Remembering Reid

2009-11-16T14:02:00.001-08:00

Today is my best friends birthday! Sadly though he is celebrating in heaven. Reid was killed in an ice climbing accident January 28, 2007. I miss him all the time! I met Reid when we were missionaries, in England. Our bond was instant! It was as though we were friends before, and I believe with all my heart we were!

Once we were both home, he took me to the Deaf ward and introduced me to some of the best friends I have ever had. He helped me with my transition from BSL (British Sign Language) to ASL (American Sign Language)! He pushed and encouraged with just the right amount of love and respect! Later we attended Utah State University, and became roommates. I cherish those times! Reading and studying the gospel. Talking about anything and everything under the sun, until the sun came up!

You couldn't be around Reid without experiencing his joy for life and the energy that he had! He shared it with everyone around him. I love you Reid! Happy Birthday Brother! I miss you! Till we meet again.....

Brothers

2009-11-15T10:26:00.001-08:00

With this being the season of thankfullness, I thought I would post about three people I'm very thankful for. I know I don't say it enough, it's not our family way. BUT I do love my brothers, and am glad to have them in my live! Growing up with three brothers made me tough! That's right, I am TOUGH!!

I can always count on these three, to be there for me whenever I need them. Even if it means driving across country to bring me home and returning without me cause I changed my mind! Keeping it real, when I don't really want to hear the truth! The jokes! Hair cuts with a pocket knife! Coming to my rescue time and time again. I could go on and on!

Thanks guys! For helping to make me the person I am today! Thanks for being three of the greatest uncles my children could ask for! Most of all thanks for being YOU!! Love you!

Thinking Of Going Private

2009-11-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

So, I'm thinking of going private with my blog . What do YOU think?

Big Fish

2009-11-08T15:20:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks ago Rooster and L.B went fishing with Grandpa M, Grandma D, Great Grandpa, and Grandma Smith. It was great, especially being ME at home with only one baby, need I say more? Rooster was able to drive the boat...."All by myselth, and only I caught the fish!" she said. That's right my little girl is a fisherman! When I asked her if she had fun she said "well, yes! But I don't like to have to touch the fish in the mouth, and I don't want to eat it!" At her birthday party we decided to serve the fish she caught! She was SO proud she had to show everyone! She was a little upset that people were going to eat it, but eventually came around.

I Need A Fork

2009-11-05T22:26:00.001-08:00

Tonight while we were driving home L.B. and I have this conversation........
LB: (whispering) Mommy, I need a fowak.
Me: What Baby? I can't hear you
LB: I saaaid I neeeeed a fowak! Please!
Me: What for?
LB: To get the boogers
Me: Do you mean "burgers" that you eat? Or, "boogers" in your nose?
LB: The ones that are in your nose Mommy! Duuuaaaah!
Me: okay, but what for?
LB: Well Mommy, I need the fowak to get the boogers. The ones that the ants put on my head. I don't like ants, they're bad! They bited me on my fingers!
Me: (holding in laughter) Oh really?
LB: Yeah Mommy, duuuuaah! Mommy?
Me: What baby?
LB: Umm.... AND there is a big ant monster that came bited my finger, and ate me! THEN he spitted me out cause ants don't like to eating humans, they like apples!

Man's Best Friend

2009-11-03T16:24:00.001-08:00

Our crazy dog! This is how he sleeps! I used the "clone" tool to remove a coat that was behind him. I bet you never even noitced! Ha I love Adobe Photoshop Elements! We got this crazy dog when L.B was a baby. So, we had two babies and a puppy! It was SO much fun ( are you picking up on my sarcasm?) To be honest I didn't really like him for a very long time! Like yesterday when I took these pictures! Okay I started liking him a little before yesterday, not much though!

See the coat now? uh huh! Looove it! In case you were wondering what little "tom boy" that is sleeping with our crazy dog. She's mine! She loves her brothers camo shorts and polo shirt. At bedtime she came to me, and motioned for me to bend down. It's secret time! Rooster has been doing this a lot lately. Her "great idea" this time was for me to hide her clothes in my room so she could wear them the next day too. "Cause red is my favorite color, and I like these shorts too! Isn't that a great idea mommy?"

Isn't that a precious picture? I think that one is my favorite! We do love Rusty, and once we got him fixed, and bought another dog for him to run around with he turned into a real good boy!

There were, no there ARE times I want to give him and Rebel both to the pound! Then he does something cute like this! Man's best friend? So true!

Bust

2009-11-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

One word to describe our Halloween this year! With everyone being sick we decided to have it indoors. Umm let's just say that didn't work out the way I had imagined it! The plan was to have our own little parade, and then I was going to hide candy for the monkey's to find.

Well, I ended up having to work from 1 to 6, with no choice, since I had used up all my time when Tornado was in the hospital....total bummer! Rooster, L.B, and Tornado dressed up in their costumes at around noon. My mom and dad were coming by with some treats, so they wanted to show them. Tornado was a stunt car driver, a hand-me-down from a good friend. Rooster wanted to be Spider man, which is no surprise! Until she saw L.B's ninja costume and changed her mind. Hunk, at the last minute ran to K-mart for another ninja costume. It was 50% off so that was good!

Nannie and Papa came by with the fullest bag I have ever seen, candy, popcorn, toys and clothes! They're wonderful! The kids took their costumes off before Nannie and Papa left and even before I could get ONE STINKING PICTURE! Yeah, I'm bitter! Pictures are my thing, ahhh well!

I ran off to work, which was kind of busy considering it was Halloween. Returned home with excitement in my heart! I was SO looking forward to passing out the three pounds of candy I bought, and see all the kids in their costumes! It's one of my favorite holidays!

We ate dinner, and waited. We cleaned up after dinner, and waited. We watched some "kid friendly" scary movies, and waited, and waited, and waited! Not one knock on the door! Not one kid! What the?

We do live off of a busy street, down a dark dirt path.....maybe that had something to do with it! Next year I will have to come up with something to catch their interests! For now, what am I gonna do with all this candy??

Something A Little More Manly

2009-10-31T20:16:00.001-07:00

Hunk has been catching a lot of flack on Facebook for his bag. I think everyone is jealous myself!

He asked me to post this tool belt he made for L.B, also out of jean parts. L.B loves it too! He has already filled it with his "tools" and walks around "fixing" everything!

Yes, my hunk of burning love has a manly side too! I think he has a good chance of being called as the first male to lead a Family Enrichment-Sewing Night at our local church! I think it's fantastic! He says....it's ingenuity!

He's At It Again

2009-10-30T15:14:00.001-07:00

Yes! I said he! Hunk is at it again! Tis the season. SEWING Season! Hunk has been saving his "crotchel blown" ( yeah, I made that up) jeans. He is planning on making a rag quilt with them. For hunting season. This week, he found the time to cut his jeans into squares, and start sewing rows together. Yes, I will have pictures of the finished product a little later.

Anywho, he came up with this great idea to make Rooster a handbag with the pockets! He also started a tool belt for L.B. He cooks, he cleans, he does laundry, AND he sews! He's my little Martha McConnachie! ha! He will be so mad at me for putting that in here....ahhh the sweetness of pay back!

What a creative and handy man I have! Am I lucky or what?

Flu Season

2009-10-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

It's ALIVE! The flu, is alive and thriving in our home! Last Wednesday I had to take L.B to the emergency room. He was very sick! We spent a few hours at Primary Children's Medical Center. They tested him for every flu under the sun. He came back positive for Para Influenza. Despite our efforts to keep L.B sequestered, the flu spread. First to Rooster, then Daddy, Tornado was next.

Because he is so small he was hit real hard! I returned home from a wonderful interpreter workshop on Saturday to find All my babies sick! Hunk informed me of the fact that Tornado had been sleeping all day long! "Have you checked his breathing? I ask as I'm freaking out inside! "umm, yeah he's fine" says Hunk half dead from the flu himself. So, I went in and checked on the baby. You can imagine my pleasure to find him breathing...whew! I gave him a bottle and put him back in bed. Sunday morning his breathing was fast and shallow. I took him right away to the ER, we were in the hospital until today. It was hard seeing my baby sick, and even harder knowing that my other babies were home sick! Hunk was even sick, so let's just say it was a VERY hard week for me!

All is well now, well almost. I am completely and utterly exhausted! Emotionally and physically! Big thanks to everyone that prayed, and sent good vibes to the universe on our behalf!

I'm glad that everything turned out good! Everyone is in recovery, everyone that is BUT me!

So, I'm about to take two of these..whatever these are, and sleep in in the morning!

My Little Tornado

2009-10-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

Obsessed?

2009-10-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

I'm sure this will be no surprise to most of you, my children are obsessed with Spider Man! Rooster is red, L.B. is black! They love anything and everything Spider man! So, I enlisted the talent of a long time friend of mine to paint a mural. We decided on one wall, but Steph just couldn't stop! We love it!!

Okay, I think the "lights" in the windows are my favorite detail!

Can't have Spider man without Mary-Jane!!

Thanks again Steph, you rock! Recently few people have asked me "what will you do when they don't like Spider man anymore?" To which I answer....Paint over it!

Birthday Bash

2009-10-20T22:31:00.000-07:00

This year we decided to have all three birthday parties together. We wanted to save a little money, and with the kids being so young we figured they wouldn't mind. They didn't! The fact that their birthdays are one after another helps too. Here's a neat little fact about their birthdays, the dates are 8-15, 9-14, and 10-13! Is that cool or what!? You can't plan that!!
Anyway, the party was a success!! Tornado devoured his cake, without making too big of a mess!

The kids got coats that came with beanies and mittens! One of their Aunties made them blankets, LB has been carrying his around ever since. He calls it his "can-o-flaj" blanket!

Of course there were toys, toys, and more toys!! Our living room looked like Christmas! It's a good thing we just went through the toys and donated a bunch!

AND, best of all, we had a special guest!! Spiderman! That's right, he took a few minutes out of his busy day to come and get his picture taken with the kids! Rooster was a little leary at first, so was LB, but they warmed right up to him. While Spiderman was getting his picture taken Rooster comes running up to me, waving her hand. "Mommy, I have a secret!" She gestures me to bend down, and starts whispering in my ear. "Ok, Mommy, I have an idea about spiderman, I think that is my Uncle Chayne in there, and not Peter Parker!" She then runs off, has her picture taken and comes back with another secret. "Mommy, how about I go and get my Spiderman suit on too, and show him that I AM SPIDER MAN TOO!! Isn't that a good idea??" I was heart broken! Her suit was in the washer! Dang it! Good thing she is understanding, she ran off and slung some webs with Spidey before he had to leave!

Thanks Spider-Man!! Looks like Spidey's red gloves were in the washer too! I'm so glad to be a mom, and glad for the people that made the time to be with us at the party! It was a great day!!

Auntie's Make-Over

2009-10-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

My Auntie Alice, with "The Hair" as people have called it. You see her hair as been a little wacky, as long as I can remember! It's always been the topic of conversation, and the but of many jokes. She's a tough lady though, she can handle it! When I say tough I mean it too! I once saw her throw a woman through a door! That's a story for another time, but know this. My family owned 3 bars for many years, one night I was with my mom and my aunt had to "regulate" I have never seen anything like it before! I make it a point not to get on her bad side too!

Anyway, the make-over. The stylist in this picture is a long time friend/family member of mine. She had a contest, the prize was a make-over. My mom and I nominated Alice, not only because of her "out of control", "wind-blown", "adds character" hair do! We nominated her because she is a very self-less person, with lots of love for everyone. I was SO excited for her! Here she is getting a new color!

And a facial! I was drooling with jealously the whole time I wathced this. It looked SO relaxing! It's like getting a mini face-lift without the surgery. I want one for Christmas!! *cough, hunk*

Next, the cut.

Finally, the style and make-up

I spent the day with four of the most amazing woman I know! At one point of the day Lady Gaga's song "Poker Face" came on in the salon. We all starting dancing, and laughing, it was great! My mom did a little jig, which I recorded and will post to my Facebook soon! I had to adjust my monkies birthday party, but IT WAS WORTH IT! Spending time with my Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, and friend....Making memories!

Here she is after!

Happy Birthday!

2009-10-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

LB was born on Friday the 13th! He was a planned C-section. One of those, show up at 10 and have a baby! It was a nice change from Roosters birth!

Rooster checking out the baby!

Here is my handsome baby at six months old, with his good looking momma! I look SO young in that picture, I now have wrinkles and grey hair!

Devouring his cake at his big ONE party!

Rooooar!

All smiles at two years old!

His favorite past time is fishing with Grandpa! During this particular trip he told me they didn't catch "one yittle fish" BUT Auntie "telly" got a rat with big teeth!

I love this kid! Of course I love all my children, there is something special and this teddy bear!

Always while I'm in the bathroom....I come out and find LB, face, hands, and shirt covered with Spider-man cake. L.B?? Yah momma. Did you eat Roosters Spiderman cake? No, Mommy it wasn't me, I didn't eat it, I pwomisss!

As I was looking through all the pictures I have of this handsome young man, I noticed a theme. This SMILE! I love it! It warms my heart and fills my soul with joy! I love you son, Happy Birthday!

Bedtime

2009-10-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

Around 7:30 pm everynight, give or take a few minutes/hours. My kids and I begin chanting. Bath, books, bed! Bath, books, bed! I'll shout "What time is it??" They yell "bath, books, bed! Bath, books, bed!"
Then LB without fail will say "And Mommy, wemembera... one little song, or two...yeah two" Rooster says "Yep two LB picks his favorite, then me! No me first! My favorite first, cause I beat him! I won, I always won! She talks so fast by the end of a thought she is panting for breath!
Tornedo gets his shower/bath and goes directly to bed. Then Rooster and LB have thier bathtime/swimming lessons! Then it's books! Always Cat in the Hat, and Henry's Awful Mistake, which they basically have memorized! It's cute to have them "read" it to me!
"Okay," I say. "One song each, what will it be?" Roosters is ALWAYS " Mother I love you, from the primary book. I end up singing it 5 times! I have to replace the "mother" with each one of our names! Then, it's LB's turn his favorite is a Kimm original! Titled: The Dragon and the Castle! To save you from asking I will just sing it for you now....

Once upon a time there was a Dragon,

Who live in a castle on a hill.

He spits fire from his mouth, and farts out smoke

We call him ...(pause)... Jack or Jill?

I know, I know! BUT the kids love it!! They laugh and laugh, then LB will say "do it adin, adin mommy!" SO of course I end up singing IT 5 times, cause I've got to be fair! I throw in "Castle on a Cloud" as MY pick, and it's nighty night!

Last night the plan was the same, chant, bathe, read, sing, sleep! We're still in the process of un-packing (such a pain), so the chair I normally sit in is unavailable for sitting. Being me, I quickly substituted the chair for the closest "something to sit on" I could find. In this case it was a pretty blue cooler with cup holders on the lid and wheels!

As I was finishing up with books and songs, I told my ready for bed, well behaved, do what my momma tells me to *cough* children good-night! At that very moment, LB started to throw a "fit" it was a mother of a fit too!! Still sitting on the cooler, I leaned over to rub his head. In doing so, put just enough pressure on the side of the cooler to shoot it out from under me like a cork from a whine bottle! I fell right to my rump on the floor! Yes it hurt! Yes, I cried a little, and LAUGHED a lot!! It was a great "end" to a wonderful evening!

More Baby E!

2009-10-02T22:36:00.000-07:00

Baby E, from now on will be called Tornado! He has come into his own little personality! He is in to EVERYTHING! You can definitely tell when he has been in the room. He can walk, yet he refuses to let go of whatever he is choosing to hold/push at the time. Hunk is "dadada", I am "yaya". His other favorite word is "uh uh" (his own version of no).

I have been trying to teach him to moo, so far I just get the "ooooo".

I can't imagine our little family without him! He is just a joy, even when he is breaking everything!

Me

2009-09-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

Not that I don't LOVE talking about my children, and sharing all of the funny things they do and say. I have decided this post is going to be about me! That's right ME, me, and me!

I really only have one thing to say..... deep within the depths of ME lives a bikini model! I've been trying to coax her out with choclate and peanut butter, but for some reason it's not working!

Come out, come out, where ever you are!!

Happy Birthday Grandmother!

2009-09-19T21:39:00.001-07:00

Today is my Grandmother's birthday. She is 82 years young! Grandma Great, as my kids call her, is an amazing woman! She was the first woman welder in the state of Utah, she was 14! She spent most of her life working, at the same time raised SIX of her own children, and fostered many others. I have always looked up to her, and been impressed by everything she has accomplished! She truly is my hero!

Dr. Crosby, always knew how to make things better. She had all the best remedies, and they worked!

My children love her, I love her, everyone that has ever known her loves her!

Sadly she developed Alzheimer's a couple of years ago, and the Grandmother I have known and loved is slowly disappearing before my eyes.

I treasure every moment I have with her, especially the lucid ones!

I'm so thankful to have such a special example! I cherish the memories, and lessons learned! Thanks for loving me Grandmother, I hope you have a great birthday!

Smile

2009-09-18T23:59:00.001-07:00

Isn't she SO stinking cute?? I could take her picture all day and night! Oh wait, I DO take her picture all day and night. I actually had to take a break from taking pictures. Every time I would go to get my camera my little monkeys would run away screaming...."NO, Mommy, NO MORE SAYING CHEESE!" I'm going to have to get sneaky about it...

Happy FIRST Birthday Baby!

2009-09-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

We had a little bit of a rocky start. Baby E spent his first two weeks in the NICU! It was the hardest thing I have ever been through. I wasn't even allowed to hold him for almost one week. His lungs were slightly underdeveloped. As he was being pulled out, he swallowed some amnotic fluid. He was on a ventilator, developed pneumonia and finally jaundice! Poor baby!!

He was the biggest baby in there!!

I don't know, they MIGHT be related!

He could decide if he wanted a bottle or a cup, so he just "double fisted" it!

This was the morning he had tubes! He makes that gown look good!

I love his curly hair!! The longer it gets the more curly it is!!

I can't believe he is ONE!! Time really does fly! I love his little BIG personality, he is such a joy!

Proof!

2009-09-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

The man behind the swing, my Dad! If you look real close you can see him smiling. He loves doing fun yet "redneck" things to put smiles on the faces of his grandchildren. Thanks Dad, for being such a fantastic Papa!

Well, there you have it! In case any of you were wondering WE ARE REDNECKS, AND WE'RE PROUD! Enjoy the video

Side To Side

2009-09-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

So, I was having one of my "mother of the year" moments the other day. With everything going on lately my patience has been thin! They were in one of their "we can't hear a word you say mommy" moods. I was getting VERY frustrated with the kids, and started raising my voice to them.

Rooster in her wisdom calmly walks up to me and says. "Mommy, go side to side, side to side." She starts to rock from one leg to the other. "Try it Mommy! Side to side, side to side. When you start to get mad and it grows bigger and bigger, and you get madder and madder try going side to side, side to side (she is rocking back and forth again) try it with me mommy, I'm gonna teach you how!"

I start to rock back and forth, when I am immediately corrected by my sweet little girl. "Mommy, you have to SAY side to side while you do it, if you want it to REALLY work! "Oh, okay, I'm sorry. Where did you learn this little trick?" I ask. "Well, I was watching Kai-Lan, and her friend was building sand castles at the beach, but the water was coming in and out and in and it was wrecking the castle! HE was MAD! Ya-Ya taught him side to side, and he wasn't mad anymore! So mommy, now I am teaching YOU!"

Now, everytime I start to get a little frustrated at anything, or one for that matter. I have my little Rooster in the back ground saying "remember to do your side to side mommy!"

My Life

2009-08-25T15:32:00.000-07:00

I got this picture off the web! I think it's a true-life Sorenson picture!! I even know the cute as heck girlie in it!! This is my life!! Sorenson Video Relay Service, Interpreter 171, that's me!

I'm working full time right now, as many of you know! Why am I putting this information on my blog? You ask yourself.....go ahead....ask yourself! Well, it's my excuse, or should I say reason for not blogging lately! Also, we are in the process of moving back to the Valley! NO not "happy valley".... Salt Lake"! I'm excited to live closer to work! Hunk starts culinary school this week too, so we will be closer for him.

I am going to miss my "Mornings with Milty" though! I have loved the time together with him, even if it was at 4 am! I couldn't have gotten any luckier in the "father-in-law" department! Was that sentence correct english?? I don't know, oh well!! Lucky for me there are no "red pens" online!

Chitter Chatter

2009-08-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

I know I have already posted about funny things my kids say, but I just have to do it again!
I'm sure they will appreciate it when they get older. Having a record of all the funny things they said and did!! Plus I will enjoy showing their future "ands". For those of you that don't know what an "and " is I will explain. Kenny "and" Kimm, John "and" Jane, Jack "and" Jill.

So to the "ands" in my children's life, I hope you enjoy these stories, and feel free to make fun!
To the point of this post. Last night as we were driving home the Rooster and LB were arguing. It's like nails on a chalkboard to me! The two of them are like an old married couple! I tell them they need to stop arguing and be nice to each other. To which they reply (at the same time) "we're not fighting, we are talking!" Rooster then says, "Mommy, see how WE let each others take turns yelling, that means we're not fighting! I tried to teach you and Daddy that idea too!"

She continues, "we like to listen too, cause we are getting all growed up, and when your growed up you listen and don't fight, cause we're friends and friends don't like to fight, friends like to play and have fun, and go swimming." I don't think she took a breath the whole time. "Speaking of swimming, how was your lesson today guys?"

LB says: I didn't go swimming today, I was drowning! My teacher was there and she watched me drowning.
R says: Let me tell you some words about swimming, I closed my mouth and jumped into the water, and because my mouth was closed I didn't choke with water!
LB: Mommy, when I went to drowning I was a little shy to my teacher, are you shy too sometimes mommy?
R : NO, Mommy is brave like me! She's not shy, but but but sometimes I get shy though too. I'm getting big mommy! My head and my legs are getting bigger and bigger all the days!
Me: Yes, you are both getting really big! I can't believe how fast you're growing!
LB: NOT ME! I'm not getting big! I'm shrinking! Like "Little Bill" I watched that show and he was shrinking and Im shrinking like him!
R: Well, I'm getting bigger and bigger and bigger! You can shrink if you want to LB but that doesn't seem like a good idea to me!
These are the times I love the most, driving in the car listening to them "talk", it gives me joy!

Happy Happy Birthday Rooster Dear!

2009-08-15T20:56:00.001-07:00

What a quick four years it has been! Happy Birthday Baby! Thanks for choosing me, I couldn't ask for a better little princess (oops, I mean Spiderman)! You came into my life at just the right moment. My life was heading down a scary path, you changed everything! For that I will be forever grateful!