Family Life

Wow!

2010-10-24T18:35:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how long it has been since I have updated this blog! Amazing how quickly, and busily, time flies by! I am now into my 2nd year of teaching. I taught the 2nd grade last year and had a wonderful class. It was a ton of fun. I am currently teaching the 4th grade (still at Falls Valley). I am really enjoying working with the 4th grade team - I am working with the teacher I student taught with (who is amazing!) and another fabulous teacher who I really enjoy! The kids are all in school - Jaden is in the 4th grade, Austin is in the 2nd grade, and Kaylee is in kindergarten. I can't believe how old they are getting. :) Kaylee is LOVING her first year at school - her teacher is wonderful and Kaylee thinks she is pretty cool!

This summer, right before school started, my dad passed away... We all knew it was coming, but that didn't really make it any easier. He had been bed ridden for a while and had had to move out of the house to an adult care center. My mom had taken family medical leave, but it had run out and he needed 24 hour care. He was only there for 1 1/2 weeks before he passed. He wasn't happy there. I'm just glad I was able to take the family to go visit him in Seattle a few weeks before so that he could see the grandkids - who he loved! They sure loved him as well. Kaylee now says that she is her grandpa's sugar and always clarifies it by saying her grandpa that is in heaven. I love my dad and we all miss him!

Hmmmm.... what else????? Austin has been playing football (he just had his last game yesterday). He made a fabulous touchdown a couple of weeks ago and yesterday he made an amazing interception. Unfortunately, I wasn't there to see it! I was so disappointed! But, I'm glad he did so well. He has also had some awesome catches, passes, and runs! So proud of him!

The kids had their primary program in church today. They all did very well and had their parts memorized.

Well, I'll just keep this short.... We are all doing well and are keeping busy! I'm going to try to keep this updated much better! ;)

I need to be better...

2009-06-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

at keeping this blog updated and current! I have been terrible about it lately! Oh, well, at least I'm trying right? We've been pretty busy this past month or so - I signed my first teaching contract - I am so excited to be teaching the second grade at where I did my student teaching! I already feel like I have support there and feel comfortable at the school. The boys will attend Falls Valley with me - so only Kaylee will have to go to daycare (or stay with grandma - we still haven't figured out all the details!). It will work out nice to have the kids just come to my room after school is over. That way they can finish their homework while I get finished up with my stuff! I just feel so fortunate and blessed to have a job - especially one that I wanted so bad. There are quite a few wonderful teachers who I did my student teaching with that have not been able to find a job - due to the cutbacks in education. There just aren't many schools hiring right now. Anyway, I was able to see my classroom last week - I am so excited to get it all decorated! (It's one of th only square classrooms in the school, but it also has a window that looks out into the hall - so it's a little diffferent...)

After I was finsihed up with school, Guy and I went to Las Vegas to celebrate our 10th anniversary and my graduation, and his acceptance into the pharmacy program at ISU. It was so much fun! We were able to go see The Phantom of the Opera, and it was fantastic - the Phantom was just amazing. We also did a LOT of walking - I got the blisters to prove it! :) It felt nice to be able to do things together without having to worry about the kids. We were also able to see a variety show and a comedy show - both really good. We were only there for three days, but that was long enough - we were ready to go home and see the kids!

This summer the boys have kept us all busy with the T-Ball and machine pitch baseball. Their games are a lot of fun to watch. Especially Jaden's - they are getting more competitive now and he is working so hard at it - he does pretty good, too! They have games every Tuesday, Thursday, and some Saturdays, with practice on Monday - so it takes up most of the week. They end at the end of June, though. (On a side note - at Jaden's game today, Austin threw a ball at me when I had my back turned and it hit me right in the tail bone - didn't hurt much at the time, but now it aches whenever I move!!!) Kaylee loves going to the ball games so she can hang out with some other kids from church. She also really likes to go up to all the moms that are there and talk with them. She is so funny, she'll just go up to another mom and sit down next to her and start talking and telling her stories. They all think she is adorable - I just hope she doesn't bug them too much!

Guy has started a new job at the pharmacy in WalMart. So far, he is really liking it! He's not used to being on his feet so much though - that will take a little getting used to! He also has had to work a couple of Sundays :( but that's okay. Last Sunday, I thought I would give all three kids a haircut before church - the boys needed one desperately! It took forever, but luckily the kids were all very good about it. I'm not sure how smart I was about trying to get all that done before church, but we managed to still make it on time. In fact, we were actually there about 10 minutes early - that NEVER happens! I cut Kaylee's hair to her shoulders - it looks cute and doesn't look quite as stringy as it did long. The boys just got their hair buzzed! Here is a pic of Kaylee - the boys didn't want theirs taken!

I guess that's all we've been up to (we've also had Guy's brother Daryl and his beautiful family up for a visit from Washington - that was so nice, Kaylee actually had girl cousins to play with. She sure misses them!). We are looking forward to my mom and dad coming to visit next week. We will be going camping with them and can't wait for that!!!

Here is a pic of Kaylee with her "girl cousins", Soma and Fela

An Update... Finally!

2009-05-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted anything on this here blog! I guess I've just been busy! I have finally finished my student teaching (it has been a lot of fun!). I had a fabulous cooperating teacher, principal, and school. During the last couple of weeks of my student teaching, I sent out application after application, hoping to find an available teaching position. I was offered a first grade position at Aberdeen Elementary - but was never sure if I really wanted to work there in such a small little town. That same day the principal at the school where I have been student teaching "unofficially" offered me a job as a second grade teacher there. I was so excited about it - I just love this school and all the staff there are so friendly and helpful. So, I decided to take this second grade job (it was funny how excited my principal was about it!). Later that night, the education department at ISU had a Celebration for all those who would be graduating. We received a certificate of completion and a marble apple (to place on our desks when we begin teaching). It was a very nice night!

Today I went to the school where the principal formally introduced me to some of the staff (I already knew most of them, so that was nice) and the other second grade teachers. They all seem very nice - I can't wait to get started getting my room organized! I also went back to the fourth grade class that I worked with this past semester and said hi to them and see how their shirts were coming (they bead shirts for the Rendezvous every year). I swear I got attacked by at least a dozen 4th graders. It was fun to see them. I plan on attending the Rendezvous tomorrow for a short time - I got talked into it by a couple of the students (one even wrote me a persuasive letter, and another tried bribing me!).

Well, the kids are all doing great. Austin and Jaden had a music concert the other day. They did a fantastic job!!! Their music teacher is great - he is so energetic and excited about what he is doing that the kids can't help be energetic and excited about it as well. Jaden even got to sit by him once in the cafeteria during lunch - boy, did that make his day!

Kaylee is doing great as well - I've sure enjoyed being home with her this week. We made some pudding Monday and she said "we are having fun together, huh mom." We were, and have been since. She is a fun little girl who is just constantly making me laugh by the things she says! (Except when she decided to give herself a hair cut the other day - luckily, Guy got to her before it got too bad - it's hardly noticable!) I don't think she'll ever try that again!!! Yesterday, I helped Kaylee and Austin make some mother's day cards for their Grandmas. They decided to paint them with some watercolors. They actually turned out quite good (Austin is a proud little artist!) So, if you're reading this mom, you know what to expect in the mail - just act surprised I guess! (I'm still waiting on Jaden to get his done - imagine that! The computer and Wii always take priority!).

Anyway, I'll try to keep this updated a bit better over the summer. Guy and I are going to be going to Las Vegas on the 15th for the weekend to celebrate our anniversary, my graduation, my job, Mother's Day, and my birthday. That's five gifts in one!!! I'll be sure to post pics of that!

Boise trip...

2009-03-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, we went to Boise for my sister-in-laws wedding. We had a good time - the kids loved to go swimming in the hotel pool with their cousins! At the wedding reception, Kaylee and her cousing Bode had a great time dancing together (they are only 3 weeks apart in age). It was adorable!

Here is a picture of the kids with their cousins, Jett and Bode.

Here is Kaylee showing off some of her dance moves...

Kaylee and Bode dancing...

And dancing some more...

I have a cute video of the kids dancing, but can't seem to get it uploaded - check back later for it!

Kaylee's First Manicure!

2009-03-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

I was reminded by my friend that I have been a blog slacker lately (thanks Kristy!) So I thought I would make a quick post about our day today.

We had a "girls day out" today with Tyra and Lexi (and Lexi's friend, Nicole). We decided that we would all go and get a manicure at the Beauty College in Rexburg (only $3.50 per person for the manicure!). It was a lot of fun! Kaylee just loved it - she was so serious about it and was just talking to EVERYBODY and was showing off her nails to anyone who would look at them. It was just so much fun, we are going to have to go back and do it again sometime!

She was so proud!

And so serious!

I Made A Girl Cry...

2009-02-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

It's true... I made a 4th grade girl cry today. I felt kind of bad, but I didn't know what else to do. I was passing out the daily math facts practice - it was a new one that they hadn't done before. It was only 64 multiplication facts instead of the normal 100. You would think that this would make them happy, but we are in the advanced math class. I guess that this girl felt that she was too good for that one. As I was passing them out she asked why we were doing that fact practice. (It wasn't asked very nicely...) I told that this was the one that we were supposed to be doing, it's in the text book. Then, she threw the whole "But Mrs. Lines doesn't do it by the book...." in her whiny voice. I let her know that I was teaching the lesson and this was the fact practice we were going to do. She continued to try and argue with me so I finally just told her that I didn't have time to argue right now, but if she wanted to come in at recess and argue with me then that would be just fine. This stopped her, but as I got back to the front of the class to start the lesson, I noticed her crying. She cried for a good 15 minutes. At one point I went over to her and let her know that I wasn't upset with her, but she needed to know that she is not to argue with the teacher and that her behavior wasn't acceptable. I also asked her if she wanted to be excused to go to the bathroom to gain control of herself. She declined this and continued to cry for another five minutes or so.

I spoke with my cooperating teacher, Mrs. Lines, about the situation after math. (Oh, and by the end of the math lesson, the girl was just fine and talking with me like she normally does.) Mrs. Lines let me know that she believed I handled the situation great and that what I had told her was the best way to get her stop arguing and to know that it wasn't appropriate. I felt better after that.... But, I did make a girl cry today.

Scrapbook Pages...

2009-01-25T18:23:00.000-08:00

I've gotten all the pictures from Jaden and Austin's birthday party at the IF Gym done!!! Woohoo!!! It feels so good to accomplish something. Anyway, this was a great party - so much fun! The gym took care of everything: the cake, decorations, activities, invites, goody bags, thank-you cards, EVERYTHING! It was nice to just sit back and watch the kids have fun without having to worry about anything. The kids had a wonderful time playing in the foam pit and on the trampolines. I think we might have to do this every couple of years or so...

I couldn't get a couple of the pages to upload, so I'll try to get them up tomorrow (hopefully! - I'm not so good at that!)

Rough, but good day...

2009-01-14T17:51:00.000-08:00

Today was rough.... and I mean ROUGH! In the class today there were two children that were both of their medications. I am not a big proponent of medicating children (unless absolutely necessary...) and it is necessary for these kids. We had one talking back to all adults and trying to push his limits and totally disrupting the other kids. He was saying inappropriate comments and we could not get him to stop. Meanwhile, the other boy (who is quieter) was making cat noises (not to be rude to adults or bug the other kids, just because he couldn't stop himself) he was also licking the desk and cutting up his school work when we weren't watching. Those two were a lot of work. Hopefully, they'll have their medications all figured out soon. I feel so bad for these kids, especially the second one. He doesn't want to act that way, he just doesn't know how to control himself and isn't physically able to. So sad. Anyway, these 4th graders are so much older than they should be. There was one boy talking to some other kids about how girls have periods - totally inappropriate! I was on my way over to let them know that this wasn't appropriate for the class and they needed to stop, but one of the girls told him "I don't like this conversation. I think we should talk about something else." Good for her! She is so mature for her age.

Anyway, this class has so many issues (more than what I hear from other student teachers at different schools anyway) but it will give me so much experience. I am so lucky to be with the cooperating teacher that I am! I also met the principal today. He is great. He told me (very sincerely) that he was there to help me with anything he could. Most of all he wanted me to enjoy my time at their school. He also let me know that I am teamed up with one of the best teachers he has ever seen (I've heard that from so many different people). I've never seen a principal who helps out the teachers so much. Today, the lunchroom had ran out of mac 'n cheese (don't ask me how they let THAT happen...) and instead of making the teachers sit with their students while more was made, he told them to go ahead and have their lunch and he would stay with the kids until they were all fed! Anyway, I was impressed. I think this is a great schol, such wonderful staff, and I know I will learn a great deal. Even with all these challenges, the teachers manage to make their classrooms fun and inducive for learning. I think the kids feel safe and happy there.

Student Teaching

2009-01-13T17:40:00.001-08:00

So I've been going to the school now for just two days. It has been a lot of fun, the teacher that I am working with is WONDERFUL! For this week I'm just mainly observing and getting to know the students, school and the teachers. It has been fun, but it will definitely be challenging when I start teaching the class. It is a fourth grade class, with 29 students (very large for this area). The school is in a poorer section of town (about 60% are on free or reduced lunch). There are also quite a few special needs students in the class. There is one deaf boy (he has an interpreter, but many of the reading/writing lessons will need to be adapted), there is a couple that are ADD and on medication, another boy who is on medication for another reason - he gets difficult when he's off medication or when they are trying to change the doses around. Last week I guess he was licking the desk and eating pieces of paper off the floor, but when he is on the medication he does great and is actually a very bright little boy. It's so sad. Anyway, there is also another boy that has been in foster care for the past several years and he has recently been adopted, however he still carries quite a bit of baggage and has issues with stealing. Consequently, he can't ever be left alone in a classroom (or the last one out...).

So, anyway, there are going to be quite a few issues that I will have to work around - but it will be great experience for me. I'm actually quite excited about it! Like I said, my teacher is wonderful and the other teachers seem great as well!

Tumbling Gym

2009-01-08T12:30:00.000-08:00

We were all invited to go down to Pocatello to go to the tumbling gym that my sister-in-law had rented out for a couple of hours. It was a lot of fun - the kids had the BEST time there!
This is a picture of Kaylee, Austin, and their cousin, Bode, playing in the big foam pit. The kids loved crawling around in this and building forts with the foam!

Look at Kaylee.... she is such a poser! She just loves to get her picture taken. She had laid down on this and then yelled over to me "Mom, take a picture of me now!" It was pretty funny.

And here she is trying to hula hoop! She thought this was so much fun. I have a funny video of her trying, but for some reason I couldn't get it to upload to blogger, oh well - the picture shows it pretty good!

And another of Kaylee laying in the foam pit trying to get out!

And here are the boys in the pit! So funny!

We all had a great time there! I met with my cooperating teacher the other day and she seems like she will be a fun person to work with. I also had talked to some other teachers that worked there and it sounds like they all think she is fabulous and that I will have a fun time with her. I start next Monday and am soooo excited, a little apprehensive as well! She has a large class (the largest ever in her teaching career) and so I know that I will have to struggle with my classroom management a little bit, but I'm sure I'll do alright - hopefully! ;) She asked me if I would be okay starting out with teaching the science and social studies... I am so excited about that, those are my favorite subjects to teach! Well, I guess that's about all for now - I'm sure I'll be back after I begin with student teaching if not before!

And here they are...

2009-01-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

Here are the last couple of pictures from Jaden's baptism.....

I love these pictures with the white baptismal clothing.

I think this is a great photo. We gave Jaden his own set of scriptures, a scripture carrying case, a scripture highlighting pencil, and his cousin gave him a mini hymnal. He loved it all and couldn't wait to use them on Sunday in church. It was so cute, he had all three of the hymns looked up at the very beginning and was so excited to 'sing' the songs. Only he doesn't really sing, he just follows along... He seems so old and grown up now!

Jaden's Birthday and Baptism

2009-01-04T17:27:00.000-08:00

We took Jaden to Sizzler (he gets to choose any restaurant) for his birthday dinner. He got a free ice cream soda for his birthday and he LOVED it. (In fact, he loved it so much he barely had room for any cake and ice cream at home!)

Here he is blowing out his candles. These candles were so cool beause the flames were the same color as the candles were!

Here is a picture of Guy and Jaden outside the stake center before his baptism. This is the same building where Guy got baptized!

The three kids inside the church house - Austin and Kaylee can't wait until they turn eight now - they all just love attention.

I've got some more pictures to show, but blogger would only let me upload four! I'll try to get the rest uploaded tomorrow or later tonight!
Jaden's baptism was wonderful!

Jaden is getting baptized!!!

2008-12-27T20:22:00.000-08:00

We are so excited (especially Jaden) because Jaden will be getting baptized next Saturday! He can't wait! The primary counselor brought over his jumpsuit the other day - it is HUGE on him. They only have two jumpsuits and they gave the smaller one to a girl in the ward (who is actually bigger than Jaden), but that's alright - we'll just roll up the legs and sleeves. Jaden had called all the family that lives close to invite them to his baptism and asked some to stand in the confirmation circle. He is feeling pretty big right now. I can't believe that he is turning eight in just a couple of days - it makes me feel like I'm starting to get old... Anyway, this is the picture that will be included in the program, I think he looks pretty grown up! We are sure proud of him!!!

A Christmas Party

2008-12-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

Lexi and Tyra had invited us over to their house for a little Christmas party. The kids had a great time making these chocolates. I think they turned out pretty cute! It's kinda fun to look at the chocolates and guess which kid made each chocolate!

Guy even dressed up for the party!!! I thought it was pretty neat - funny, huh!?! HO, HO, HO!

The kids played Santa Bingo with Lexi and each came home with a bag full of prizes!

This is a much better picture of Lexi, but not of my kids, so I may have to do some creative Photoshopping!!!

We all had a great time. Tyra and I made some caramel and chocolate covered pretzels while the kids played - they turned out great! We used them for fun little neighborhood gifts. I didn't get a picture of those though, oh well!

Santa Claus

2008-12-11T15:24:00.000-08:00

Santa was at Tyra's office the other night, so we decided to take the kids up there to get their pictures taken with him and to give him their Christmas letters. It was a lot of fun and Santa was so wonderful with the kids! They also have such a great backdrop and place for pictures. Afterwards we went to Tyra's house and the kids played the Wii with Lexi - they had a great time.

The Kids Christmas letters

2008-12-11T15:19:00.000-08:00

These were the kids' Christmas letters - I thought the were pretty cute! We had gone to Tyra's dental office to see Santa and have their pictures taken with him! It was a lot of fun.

This is a picture of Santa Claus that Kaylee drew on the back of her letter to him! Pretty cute!

I love the way Jaden ended this letter!!!! Hilarious!!!

Guy's office Christmas Party

2008-12-09T21:49:00.000-08:00

I know, I'm real original with my post titles!!! Anyway, Guy and I went to his work Christmas party tonight. It turned out to be quite fun. I usually dread these formal things, where I don't know the people very well. The party was at a nice restaurant, called The Sandpiper. Great food! I was a little uncomfortable because in order to eat, I have to take out my retainer (with my fake tooth on it) so I had a big hole in the front of my mouth - man, I can't wait to get an implant done!!! But the people sitting with us were so fun and didn't care, I was still a little self-conscious though.

It turned out that the people we were sitting with had two of their kids go to the same school that I will be doing my student teaching at. In fact, they both had my cooperating teacher! It was nice to hear about her and what she is like. They both loved her and said that their kids loved her. They also raved about the school principal and what a fun time I should have there - and how nice and accomodating everyone there is. It sure helped to hear these things - I've been pretty nervous about it!

Anyway, I wish I had a funny story about the kids to tell or something, but I don't. I did want to share a page that I made for a friend. She liked the one I did of Kaylee so I thought that I would steal a photo off her blog and make one of her daughter. I thought it turned out cute!!!

Just playing around...

2008-12-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

I was going through some of my older pictures the other day and just couldn't resist scrapping these ones. There are a lot of others as well, but these were the ones that I had time to do. School is finally slowing down for the semester.... Thank goodness! I only have one final that I have to really worry about, the others are done or aren't going to be much work. Anyway, it feels good to relax and do some stuff that I enjoy. I'm hoping to be able to make some pumpkin cookies with the kids within the next couple of days - they've been asking for a couple of weeks....

Fairy pages

2008-12-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some layouts that I made of Kaylee from a fun fairy kit. These were so much fun and I think Kaylee makes a beautiful little fairy!!! I'm thinking of printing one of these (or maybe all three!) to frame for Kaylee. Just thought I would share these...

Photo edits

2008-12-05T23:28:00.000-08:00

I have to thank Kristy for showing me that you can edit pictures using Picasa. So fun and so easy! I had a lot of fun doing these pictures. Kristy, do you know how to save them as a copy so you still have the original and how to make them show up in your My Pictures?

Anyway, this was just a lot of fun!

Thanksgiving

2008-12-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

We had a great time in Seattle for Thanksgiving. We were able to go to the Woodland Park Zoo and see all of the 'big' animals that we don't have here. The kids loved watching the gorillas - especially the baby one. We all also enjoyed watching the hippos. Usually they just sit there and do nothing, but this time one was up moving around and swimming in the water. It was fun when he went to take a drink - they can open their mouths WIDE.

We were also able to go to the beach in Edmonds (my dad's favorite place) and hunt for sea shells and look at all the stuff that is washed up from the Sound. We lucked out with the weather. We had a couple of beautiful days that were fairly warm and lots of sunshine. Those were the days that we went to the zoo and then to the beach. We did have a couple of rainy days as well.

Anyway, we had a great time Thanksgiving day with my family and we were also able to see my old neighbors. It was a lot of fun.

On the way home from Seattle we stopped in Fruitland (near Ontario) for our nephew's homecoming. That was great, most of the family was there. Daryl and Kerry came over and we hadn't seen them since last year (and that was just for a short time). Kaylee loved being able to play with their daughters (her only girl cousins close in age to her), Soma and Fela. They were adorable.

So, all in all, it was a great trip! I wasn't ready to come home back to school and reality... Finals have begun - only three more weeks left. I can't wait for it to be over - however, I could use a little bit more time to get everything done!

Here are some layouts from our trip to the beach.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-20T21:06:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Student Teaching

2008-11-18T12:47:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, it has been forever since my last post. I guess I don't do very well with keeping up with my blog lately - school's been crazy and keeping awfully busy.

Anyway, I thought I would share with you that I got my student teaching placement for next semester. I'm pretty excited! I'll be at Falls Valley Elementary and working with a 4th grade class. It is going to be fun, but tiring. We are to completely take over the class by the third week and on top of that we are to go to a student teaching meeting every Monday after school is out. This is where we will be turning in lesson plans, papers, and our huge Teacher Work Sample that we are to complete. We will also be having 3 all day seminars in Pocatello. On top of all of that, we are expected to attend all the extra-curricular activites for the school! Anyway, it's going to be crazy, but I'm excited because it will also be a lot of fun. It will feel so nice for me to be done with all of my course work!

I'm going to be going home to Seattle for Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to it, it's been a year since we've been there (it was last Thanksgiving that we were there.) It will be fun and the kids are excited to see their "far away grandma and grandpa!"

Anyway, I guess that's all I have to write right now. Not much is going on, except school!

Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband

2008-09-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

Last night we got a babysitter and went to a Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband concert at BYU-I. It was so much fun, Guy had gotten us all great seats (front row, center!). My sister-in-law, Tyra and her daughter, Lexi went along with some friends of theirs. Marydell, Wes, and Melissa came along as well. Ryan Shupe sang "Dream Big", a pretty popular country song for awhile. The whole band is LDS and does a great job. There is a video that the band took of the audience doing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" that is pretty funny. You can see Guy and I for a quick second on the left of the screen and Lexi (in pink) and her friend on the right side of the screen. It was pretty funny, go check it out!

It's been a long time...

2008-08-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted something. My friend, Kristy, was kind enough to get me going again. Helpful reminders are always nice. ;)

Let's see, since my last post, we have been very busy!!! We have moved, the kids have started school/preschool/daycare, and I have started school as well! The kids started at Woodland Hills, a new elementary school for them. Jaden is in the second grade now and just loves his teacher! She is very nice and has a lot of interest in science - which is right up Jaden's alley. He has made new friends and is really liking his new school (they give two choices for lunch!!!). Austin started kindergarten, he goes in the mornings. He has been waiting for this for two long years, watching his brother go off to school without him has just been too much for him to bare. He is really loving it right now and has made several new friends. His teacher is fairly new to teaching and seems very energetic and excited! They are both just loving school and playing at recess - their playground is huge - and has teeter-totters! That is Austin's favorite!

Kaylee started preschool/daycare this past Monday. The first day was a little difficult for her. They put her into the 18 month old - 3 year old room (she turns 4 at the end of September) and she didn't have much fun. They were supposed to put her in the 4 year old preschool room, but forgot that they were going to do that. She started crying before lunch and would sit up on top of the slide and look out the window and cry quietly. The teachers told me that she was also crying as she ate her lunch - so sad! She finally went down for a nap and was sleeping when I got there to pick her up. Austin went there after kindergarten for a couple of hours and had a great time.

I talked with the daycare about making sure that she was going to go into the preschool class and they assured me that she would. Yesterday was her second time going and she just LOVED it!!! I was so happy to find that out. When I dropped her off, I told her that she was going to be going into the big kid class and needed to be a big girl and have fun and not cry. As I was leaving she gave me a hug and then was looking pretty sad, so I told her to smile and have fun. She smiled, but it sure looked forced!!! Anyway, it sounds like she had a great time. She met two friends (who were actually in kindergarten, but went in the afternoons) and their names were Kayley and Kaylee (I'm not sure of the spelling of the second one!). It sounds like, according to the teacher, that those three were having so much fun together and were chatting it up the whole time! Kaylee describes them as "one has a black face and black hair and the other one has blonde hair and a blonde face like me." I thought that was pretty cute. I sure feel better now knowing that she likes it and wants to go back.

I've started school now as well. It sure gets crazy around our house! I go to Pocatello on Mondays and Wednesdays for one class (music for the elementary teacher) and come back to IF on Mondays to go to a Physics Lab. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have Physics and History, and have another History class on Friday mornings. So far, they are all going well - let's hope they continue to!

Today is also a special day because my sister-in-law, Melissa, is getting baptized. This has been a real long road for both her and her husband, Wes. They have lived in buses and been pretty much homeless for a long time, drinking a lot. They have both quit drinking and smoking and are doing great. Wes has cleaned up and is going to baptize her tonight. I'm so proud of them and grateful they are back in Idaho near us. It is amazing what the gospel can do for people. We have all pitched in and bought her a nice set of scriptures with her name imprinted on them and a tote for her to put them in. I ran around all afternoon getting them. All she has right now is some that she got from the D.I. that has some pages missing and someone else's name on them. I think she will love this gift.

Anyway, I guess that's about it for right now! I wish I could post some pictures of the kids on the first day of school, but I'm actually writing this from my school's computer! I got here a little early and thought that I would update this blog. Hopefully, I'll be able to post them soon!

Another new page!

2008-06-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

I have been having so much fun scrapping these old photos. Here is my latest page.....

(Mom, I think that was Tyler, but where is Barrett? Let me know if I'm wrong.)

Things have been good here, that is, except the weather. We have had constant winds and cold temperatures - we even had snow on our car this morning! Someone needs to tell Idaho that it is June now!!! Jaden's baseball game got cancelled, he was bummed, but I was glad. I wasn't looking forward to sitting there on the bleachers in this weather. Luckily, it's supposed to get better this weekend... I can't wait, I really need some summer weather.

I found a great website the other day. My friend, Kristy, and I had been talking about how blogging was a way for us to keep a journal and she also told me about a site that is a place to keep a journal online, totally private. It's ldsjournal.com and it allows for pictures, videos, and of course, journal writing. You can easily copy and paste blog entries as well. It also has some great family history features. Anyway, if you are interested in keeping a journal online (never have to worry about something happening to it - fire, flood....) go check it out.

Old Neighborhood Boating Pages

2008-06-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

These were so much fun to make!!! I used a really fun kit that I got at Scrap Orchard. It has been a lot of fun to use old pictures from when I was growing up. Mom, do you know the date, or at least the year, that these were taken? I'd like to add that into them. Also, where were they taken - just out in the Sound? And thanks for getting those scanned in!!!

Another new header!

2008-06-06T09:36:00.001-07:00

I was just not really happy with the last one, so I thought I would make another! I don't have much anything interesting to say today, but thought that I would just tell you of an incidence we had with Austin. My mother-in-law had to call and remind me of this yesterday - I never did write it down before so I thought I would today.

Austin had gone downstairs to Guy (I had just gotten after him for picking on his brother and sister and not doing what he was asked) and he told him. "Dad, when mom gets mad at Jaden, he cries. When mom gets mad at me, I just get mad at her!"

That pretty much just sums up their personalities!!!!

Austin's pics!

2008-06-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

Here are Austin's pictures!

Austin hits!

Playing in the outfield
Catcher!
Austin with a teammate - check out the sky!
Don't forget to look at the other post showing Jaden's pics and telling more about both of their games!

My 100th Post!!! and baseball pics!

2008-06-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

Jaden had his first coach-pitch baseball game on Monday. He had so much fun! He was able to get up to bat twice and hit the ball both times. On his first hit, he was able to make it to 2nd base - the only double from his team! The second hit was hilarious - I wish I had my video going, but my camera had run out of batteries. :( Anyway, he hit the ball and it was a fly ball and it was heading straight for the 2nd baseman (who actually is a boy from our ward). This boy wasn't paying attention and we were a little scared the ball was going to hit him in the head. He was talking with another kid with his hand and mit hanging in front of him and the ball came down and knocked his mit to the ground. If he had been holding his mit the other way, he would have caught it without knowing!!! Anyway, it was pretty funny! The wind was horrible during the game and we all just about froze! Jaden didn't seem to mind!

Here is Jaden with his shirt and hat - he was hoping his team would be green!

Gettin ready for the pitch!
Swing!
And he made it to second!

Austin had his first t-ball game yesterday. He also had a great time. He said it got a little bit long, but he still enjoyed it. The weather was also horrible for Austin's game. It was WINDY and raining off and on. It is so funny to watch kids play t-ball. Austin would dance and play with his hat and the dirt. He had a hard time paying attention. His favorite part (obviously) was batting. He did good, too! I'll post his pictures in a new post. I guess I've already posted too many, so things may be a little out of order - I don't know how that will work.

Austin all ready for the game - he was hoping his team would be orange!
I'm going to post more of his pics on a new post!!!!!!

My New Header

2008-05-29T10:46:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to making my own header - not sure if I'll keep this one or not. I have a feeling that I will be playing around with other ones!!! I used one of my kits that I made for the papers and embellishments. I don't use much of my own stuff because once I'm finally done with the kit, I get a little tired of it! It was kind of fun to use it though - I made this kit a while back and have been wanting to use it for something! What do you think?

Jaden is doing pretty good still. He is going to have to miss the Father/Son campout this weekend - which is quite the bummer for him. I promised we'll do something fun while Guy and Austin are gone. It will, however, be real nice for Austin to get some alone time with Guy (he doesn't get that very much - and I'll be able to spend a little more time with Jaden, Kaylee too.)

Well, I spent too much time making my header that I'll have to keep this post short - need to get cleaning!!!!!!!!!

And they're OUT!

2008-05-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Jaden had his surgery. He did VERY well - I have been so proud of how good he has been. We left the house yesterday at 5:00 AM and got to the hospital and filled out all the lovely paperwork. We then went to the prep room and Jaden sat and watched cartoons for about an hour. The worst part for that was when Jaden was given the "sleepy medicine" that, I guess, is the most horrible tasting thing in the world. Usually, when we are at home and he has to take a yucky medicine he'll either spit it out or actually vomit - but he did good and swallowed it with no bad effects. When Austin had this (when he got his teeth fixed) he got pretty loopy and it was kinda funny, but Jaden just kinda sat there and watched cartoons. Just a few minutes later they wheeled him back to the surgery room and I went to the waiting room. (This was the only time that I saw him get a little nervous - it was the separation I think more than anything.)

The surgery went quick, it only took about 40-45 minutes at the most. I talked with the doctor and he said that everything went really well. I then went to the recovery room and waited some more - they wanted Jaden to wake up a little bit before they brought him in. When he came in he was whimpering and I felt so bad for him. The nurses said that he had been calling for me after he woke up and continued to until he was brought to me. Guy was able to stop by just as Jaden was being rolled into the recovery room - he was glad to see his dad! He was so brave until the nurses left and then he began to whimper a little louder and asking for Daddy, and then Mommy. It's funny how he rarely calls us Daddy and Mommy - usually just Dad and Mom! The worst part was him just getting of the anethesia. The nurses warn you that they are usually either cranky or extra emotional. At one point, he looked up at me and said "This is the worst day ever!" I felt so awful for him! He then slept for another hour or so and this seemed to help him wear off the rest of the anethesia. His mood was drastically better when he woke up the second time.

We were then able to go. We stopped and picked up his prescriptions and then got Austin and Kaylee from Marydell's, and went home. He did great for the rest of the day. First thing he did when we got home was play on the computer and eat some applesauce. He didn't sleep for the rest of the day - I was a little surprised. I had to get up every three hours with him last night to keep him up on his pain meds and will have to do that again tonight. After that, I'll only wake up once a night for a couple of nights. The worst part is that I can't just wake up and get him his meds, but I also have to wake up enough to get him a little bit of applesauce or pudding for him to eat first - he can't take it on an empty stomach!

Anyway, he did real good. It was funny, later in the evening yesterday he asked if he could have something to call me with so he wouldn't have to yell. Could you imaginge Jaden sitting there with a bell so he could call me when he wanted? I told him No Way - he has two feet and can walk to me if needed! What a stinker!!!

Tomorrow's the day...

2008-05-26T17:43:00.000-07:00

Jaden is going to be getting his tonsils and adenoids out tomorrow. I am NOT looking forward to these next couple of weeks!!! I was a little concerned about how he was going to be dealing with the thought of going in to surgery and he seems to be okay with it. He's a little nervous about all the details (what time he needs to be there, how long will it take, will he stay overnight...), but doesn't seem to be too worried about the surgery itself. He is bringing his Build-A-Bear, Ranger, with him "to help him fall asleep" before the surgery!!! I'm sure he'll do great. We have to be at the hospital at 5:30 in the MORNING. That is way too early, but this way we don't have to worry about him wanting to eat anything before he goes. There is a possibility that he will have to stay overnight, so we are supposed to come prepared for that. It will just depend on how his adenoids are healing (the doctor said that about 50% of the kids who get their adenoids out end up having to stay overnight), but hopefully he'll be ready to come home tomorrow evening. Guy's mom offered to watch Kaylee and Austin so I didn't have to worry about bringing them with me or finding someplace for them to go - that has been a huge help! Hopefully, Guy will be able to come by the hospital for a short visit during his lunch hour - he just works at a pharmacy across the street.

Anyway, it's going to be a long day tomorrow --- actually a long couple of weeks. Jaden will be out of commission for the first week - only sitting and laying down, watching TV and such. The second week, he can't do any running or jumping. The doctor calls it "being grounded" - both feet must be on the floor at all times! He is NOT looking forward to all of this. He wants to be able to go play, but I don't think he'll feel that way when he gets home! Oh, and get this... I always thought that the cool thing about getting your tonsils out was being able to eat all the ice cream you wanted. I guess that's not true anymore, they aren't supposed to eat or drink any dairy products because it causes you to clear your throat and the scabs from the surgery fall off. So I picked up some applesauce, popsicles, and chicken noodle sou, but I don't know what else to get him. If you have any suggestions.... let me know. My mom suggested sherbet and I'm going to ask the doc or nurse tomorrow about that one.
Well, wish Jaden (and me - I hate waiting around in hospital waiting rooms!) luck!!!

This was kinda fun!

2008-05-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

This is a pretty fun website! At smilebox.com you can make all sorts of scrapbook pages, invites, slideshows... All sorts of stuff. You can do it for free if you want to post it to your blog or email it. If you want to print off a scrapbook page then it will cost $1.99 or there are also memberships. Anyway, it was just a lot of fun to play with. I don't think I'll do much of it that will require printing or anything! Anyway, here is what I did!

Make a Smilebox free ecard

I finally made some scrapbook pages....

2008-05-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

It feels so good to have the semester almost over. I'm done with all my classes, but one - I just have a final in it on Monday - and no finals in any of my other classes! Since I had so much *extra* time on my hands (not that I need to clean, do laundry, dishes, or anything else that's fallen behind), I decided to make a couple of scrapbook pages with my newest kit that I am hopefully going to have ready to put up in the store this next week. I think I might change Austin's page around a bit, but I really like the way Jaden's turned out!

Here is a preview of my kit! I couldn't fit everything in the preview - so there are some surprises, I guess!

Now, I think I'll make a kit for girls to go along with it - so I can make some new pages of Kaylee!

The kids are all doing good. Jaden is working hard to accomplish his reading goal so he can attend a special assembly (a magic show) and have lunch with the principal. He'll also be able to particapate in all the games at the carnival. He is very excited, but has to read for 110 minutes tonight in order to get there. He has fallen a little behind and has some catch up to do. I'm not sure I have liked this whole reading incentive program - it has made reading feel like a chore and not fun - the whole point of the program was for the students to enjoy reading... I think it's doing the opposite! Anyway, he is getting there!

Austin is doing great. He is still very much into drawing and coloring - I want to scan in some of his papers to put on the blog, they are really good (if only I had a scanner...). Kaylee is still a little princess - who likes to get into my make-up and put it ALL OVER her face. Sometimes I worry that she really does think she is a princess, she can't go without a skirt or dress on. I've been given some weird looks when I've taken her out to the grocery story with her dress-up clothes on top over her regular clothes, but it's not worth the fight!

Hi!!!!

2008-04-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I really don't have much to say. I'm just sitting here at the computer trying to find a way to procrastinate working on a couple of papers for school!!! This happens WAY too often. :) I finally have my first kit uploaded to MooTwo Designs for sale. I'm pretty excited about it but unsure if I'll get enough people to look at it and actually BUY it! Here is a preview of the kit....

I thought it would be good for boys,bubbles,and pretty much anything - a pretty universal kit. Anyway, it's kind of fun seeing it up for sale in the store! I also have a couple of quickpages that I made from this kit as freebies for my other blog. Then, if people go and buy the kit at MooTwo and show me a layout they created using it, I'll send them four more quickpages and a surprise bonus! I'm hoping this will get them to want to buy the kit. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions on how to market my kits, let me know. I'd love to hear them!!!

Now I'm working on another 'boy' kit with the theme of boys growing up. I'm hoping to make this a pretty large kit - seeing as there aren't that many 'boy' kits out there. I've had a lot of fun with it already and can't wait to do more.

The kids are doing well - driving me a bit crazy at times! Austin and I had a funny conversation in the car the other day:

Austin: Mom? I need to tell you something.
Me: What do you need to tell me?
Austin: Both Jaden's name and my name end in 'n'.
Me: They sure do. What does Kaylee's name end in?
(Pause.....)
Austin: 'e'!!!
Me: Good job! I didn't know you knew that.
(Pause with Austin smiling proudly!)
The next thing I knew I heard Austin break out in song...
Austin: One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong!

Anyway, I thought that was pretty funny! He then had to go on and tell me that it was Kaylee that doesn't belong!

Thank you Sesame Street!

Some scrapbook pages....

2008-04-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun making these scrapbook pages - so colorful! These were taken last November (yes, I really am that far behind - actually I'm a lot more behind than that!) at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle while we were visiting my family. The kids loved the butterfly exhibit and we couldn't keep the butterflies off Austin.

Here is a page of Austin's leg with an escapee butterfly. The kids had been playing for quite a while (at least five minutes) when we took Austin's sweatshirt off and noticed the butterfly on his leg. It's crazy because before you leave the exhibit, a person checks to make sure no butterflies are on you and then you walk through some doors that blow air on you to get any escapee's off!

Mooooooo!!!

2008-04-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the title, but I had to get it out of my system!!! I have just been picked up by an internet store to sell my digital scrapbooking kits. I am so excited! I think this will be a lot of fun and I will definitely learn A LOT from the other designers there! I haven't uploaded any kits to sell there yet, but hope to this weekend (if homework will cooperate!). It is a fantastic site with forums, blogs, galleries, and, of course, a store. I have already enjoyed participating in their forums and can't wait to participate in some of their challenges!

Anyway, go check out the site. It's fun to just look around! Moo Two Desings

My Challenge.....

2008-03-29T14:58:00.001-07:00

There is a wonderful challenge going on over at The Sunshine Blog and here is my layout.

We had to come up with 14 different facts about ourselves. I found that pretty hard. Ask me to come up with 14 things about Guy or the kids and it would have been easy. But, it was hard to come up with them for myself - let alone just finding a picture of me. I finally finished it... and it was pretty fun to do.

Crazy!

2008-03-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

I just got a call from my mom this afternoon letting me know about my Grandpa who lives in Preston. He has a bloodclot in his leg and has decided not to have surgery for it. Consequently, anything could happen at any time. So... everyone in my family (from Seattle) has been rushing to make plans to get here to see him. It sounds like all three of my brothers will be able to make it and my parents just booked a flight. I'm glad that we are all going to be able to be together for Easter and to be around my grandparents. My grandpa is a great man and I hate that his health is failing and that he hasn't been able to feel good for a while. I am going to try and post some pictures of my kids with him. They just ADORE their Grandpa Eliot. Austin just loves that he is named after him!!! (Austin Eliot) It will definitely be awful when he passes away to tell my kids. It will be so hard for them, they have never had the experience of anyone close to them dying - not even a pet! Anyway, hopefully, the clot in his leg won't break loose and he will be okay for a while. I feel so bad that we live so close and haven't made the short drive to Preston for a long time. It will be good to see everyone though - and now I must go so I can clean house for my parents!!!!

Old Times!!!

2008-03-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

My mom just got a bunch of photos of my "growing up years" scanned in and I thought that I would make a page with one of my favorite pictures. Boy, how we loved those Cabbage Patch Kid dolls!!! These were my great neighborhood friends growing up and I can't wait to make more pages with some of these pictures - we've got some good ones!

Two in One! and funny Kaylee

2008-03-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

I made this scrapbook page today!

It was a lot of fun to do. I'm going to make a page to go opposite of it with pictures of all three kids together that says "but, mostly, they're just the same!"

This was a conversation between Kaylee and I when I was sitting at the computer with this page almost done.

Kaylee: I don't like it.
Me: How come?
Kaylee: Because there's Jaden and Austin on it. I like just me!
Me: Don't you think it's nice to have all of you guys on it?
Kaylee: No, I like just me. (stated very matter-of-factly!)

Funny Conversation....

2008-02-29T16:01:00.000-08:00

This was a conversation between Guy and Austin at the auto body shop while they were waiting for our car to get a little work done. They were in the restroom washing their hands...

Austin: I know what the soap is going to smell like?

Guy: What will it smell like?

Austin: People fixing cars! (Ewwww, I hope not! They don't smell very pleasant!)

Austin gets the soap on his hands and begins washing, then puts his hands to his nose and took a whiff.

Austin: Oh, it smells gooder!

I thought that was pretty funny... You may have to know Austin and his demeanor to find that as funny as Guy and I did!!!

Also, it has been pretty fun. I've been making digital scrapbooking kits, including the papers and the elements, and then putting them up on a blog so people can download and use them. I've had over 180 people download my last kit that Jaden helped me choose the colors for. It's pretty exciting!!!! Ithink because of the extra exposure I've gotten from the kits, my templates have been being downloaded like crazy!!! It's fun to watch the numbers increase and read all the comments people leave me (although only about 1/4 of the people who download actually leave comments)! Anyway, here's a preview of my last kit. I had sooo much fun with it.

How many of me?

2008-02-24T14:15:00.000-08:00

This was kinda fun to do! I saw it on my friend Jamie's blog and thought it would be fun to do!

There are 511,399 people in the U.S. with the first name Heather. Statistically the 104th most popular first name.
There are 163,891 people in the U.S. with the last name Andrews. Statistically the 179th most popular last name.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
276
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

As for my maiden name - not quite as popular!!!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
0
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Apparently, Mockli is so 'rare' that they do not have it in their database and there are 0 people with the last name of Mockli and 0 Heather Mockli's in the U.S. Go figure!!!

Candy Hearts and Jaden's Basketball

2008-02-08T18:14:00.000-08:00

These are so much fun and I can't wait to use them in a Valentine's scrapbook page!!! All you do is go to www.cryptogram.com/hearts and type in what you want the heart to say and choose what color. I made one for each of the kids and then also some generic ones, so I can use them later. Anyway, you'll have to try it out, it is a lot of fun. They look pretty real!!!

Also, here is a page I made of Jaden making an awesome bank shot at his last basketball game. He is doing really good lately. Especially when he is guarding. He keeps his hands up and sticks to his "buddy". We are so proud with how much he has improved since the beginning of the season! It is so much fun to go and watch him play. He was so happy that his Grandma and Grandpa from Seattle could come and watch last time. And thanks to my mom who captured this great picture of Jaden scoring!

Sledding!!!

2008-01-29T08:05:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday we all went sledding with our friends, Kristy and Mike, and their kids, David and Kaitlyn. We went a little early in the morning because I had a lot to do that day with my parents coming and Jaden's basketball game. It was awfully cold!!!! My nose and cheeks hurt so bad! The kids didn't seem to mind though! It did start to warm up a little for the last 15 minutes or so we were there - the sun felt so nice! The kids had such a great time sledding. It was a lot of fun to watch them. Jaden is usually so apprehensive about things like that, but since he had David there he jumped right in! Kaylee preferred to slide down on her bum and climbing up the hill. We are definitely going to go back there. We are sure glad that Mike and Kristy showed us this sledding hill! Since it was so cold, our cameras wouldn't work. They kept turning off. However, I did get a few pictures - they aren't the best, but at least I got some!

Bridesmaids!!!!

2008-01-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

I have been having so much fun doing these pages of my wedding album. I haven't posted all of the pages here - I've posted a lot of them on my ward's digital scrapbooking groups blog, but I thought I would put this one on here. I'm having a hard time getting all these pages done now that school has started up again, but I'm still trying. It's not like I have a lot of pictures to do - I was disappointed with the way a lot of them turned out! Anyway, this is a page of my bridesmaids - Jillian Beach and Jamie Paul (at the time, it's Reber now!). I thought this turned out good.

Well school is going good. I'm only in the middle of my first week. It is going to be a tough semester though. A lot of readings - and even more papers and projects! I have two history courses - Middle Eastern Civilization and The History of Christianity. Both of them will be very interesting, I think I'll enjoy them. I also have a Special Education course that will be good, however, my professor seems very strict and will be slightly difficult, but I think I'll be okay. I also have an Education course that will be talking about literacy and assessments - this class will have a TON of projects to do, but, once again, I think it will be good. I'm just hoping they will give me enough spare time to be with my family.... and do a little scrapbooking.

I also registered with familysearchindexing.org and hope to be able to do a little bit of work there. I don't know if anyone has tried it yet or not, but it is a good thing to do. All you do is look at old microfilms on the internet and figure out the names and such and type them in. The church is just trying to get the names off of these so people can be found and others can find their names. You don't have to be a member of the church to do this, in fact, there are a lot who aren't. Anyway, I hope to be able to do a few batches of these.

Well, here's the scrapbook page I told you about:

Wedding Pages

2008-01-05T16:51:00.000-08:00

I'm doing a wedding album. Here are a couple of pages I made for it:

My BIG 7 year old!!!

2007-12-30T13:45:00.000-08:00

Well, it was Jaden's 7th birthday yesterday. I can't believe he's that old already!!! We had a great time. Guy and I picked up Happy Meals (quite the treat for them!) and dropped them off at Guy's parent's home. We let Jaden pick anywhere he wanted to go and eat dinner, just the three of us. He was so excited to be with us by himself. Jaden picked Sizzler, he loves to go there and get the salad bar because that way he "doesn't have to wait for his food." When we got there, he didn't know who he wanted to sit by and asked if we all could fit on one side of the booth!!! After we were done eating we let our waitress know it was Jaden's b-day and a couple of the waitresses started singing him Happy Birthday and before long the whole restaurant was singing to him! It was pretty funny, Jaden thought it was cool.

After we picked up the other kids we went back home and opened his presents and had cake and ice-cream. When he opened the gift from my parents, he got so excited he had to sing and do a little dance as he jumped around saying "YES!!!". They had gotten him a SpongeBob game for the Wii that the kids got for Christmas.

I'll have to post some pictures after I get them onto the computer. Maybe I'll even post a video of his reaction to that present!

Anyway, I just can't believe my kids are growing up so fast! Today was Kaylee's last day in the nursery at church. I'm going to have three kids in primary! CRAZY!!!

Christmas is approaching......

2007-12-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

.... and so is the end of the semester - which comes with projects and finals. It has been tiring ever since we got back from Seattle for Thanksgiving.... finally starting to ease up a bit. I've had paper after test after paper after test!!!! Anyway, I'll be glad when the semesters over (only to start a new one!!!).

I am getting so excited for Christmas! The kids are just going to be so much fun this year, they are at great ages... plus, their presents are going to be awesome! The kids went and saw Santa - three times! We went and saw him once and got the kids picture taken with him, then we saw him at our ward's Christmas Party, then we went and saw him in town... at night... in freezing weather... so they could see Mrs. Claus, too. It was fun, the kids had a good time, anyway. I'm not so sure we'll do it again next year!
This is a picture of the kids with the first Santa we saw: By the way, Jaden is now noticing that the Santas are not the same person.....

On a sad note, I found out a couple of days ago, that my grandpa is in the hospital with a progressive lung disease. They don't know exactly how long he'll live with it. It could range from days to months. I've always thought of my grandpa as invincible.... he is 93, though. He's a wonderful man, can't wait till he's out of the hospital to go visit!

Space Needle!!!

2007-11-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

We are in Seattle visiting my family and took the kids to the Space Needle. It was a lot of fun. Jaden loved the ride up and how the cars looked like matchbox cars. After the Space Needle Guy and I took the kids to the Science Center and played there for a couple of hours. The kids just had a great time. It was a little chilly, but definitely worth it! Here are a few pictures of the kids at the Space Needle and the Science Center.
Here is a picture of the kids at the top of the Space Needle:

And looking up at the Space Needle:

Here is a picture of the kids "digging for dinosaur bones":

This is a picture of the kids in the butterfly exhibit. It was a lot of fun watching the butterflies flying all around. Austin had one land on his bum - he thought that was pretty funny! He also thinks he was a 'butterfly magnet'.

Austin - even after a careful inspection by the exhibit worker - had a stow away on his leg. We found it after we had left the butterflies and were out playing. Luckily, Austin was able to walk careful enough that we were able to get it back in.

Halloween Party page and blah, blah, blah!!!!

2007-11-07T17:10:00.000-08:00

Here is a scrapbook page I did of the kids from the Halloween party Lexi had for the kids. It was a lot of fun!!!! She had a bunch of games for the kids with prizes for them. They all got a new halloween shirt from her as well. I still have more pictures from their little party to make at least one more page of, and I still have yet to do a page of them all dressed up on Halloween!!! I'll get there someday!

(Notice Kaylee's eyes! She kept trying to look up at the visor on her head - it was so funny! The picture just doesn't do it justice!)

We are planning on going back home to Kirkland for Thanksgiving. I'm so excited, it's been almost a year since we've been back. The kids can't wait to see Grandma and Papa (as Kaylee refers to Grandpa - she has the boys calling him that half the time as well!). Kaylee keeps going through her toys and telling me "Papa would like to see this..." She is just so matter-of-fact! Over the Thanksgiving break, I'm going to have quite a bit of homework to do. I have a big project due right afterwards as well as two tests! I just hope I can make myself do them while there. That's the tough part.

We are going to try and get everything ready to decorate for Christmas before we leave, so we can enjoy it when we get back! I'm excited to get all the Christmas stuff out, just not looking forward to the mess it makes.

Well, tomorrow is my crazy day at school. 9:00 in the morning until 10:00 at night with just a short break to pick up kids and get them fed before hurrying off to my night class - which is so boring and pointless most of the time!!!

Snow!!!!

2007-11-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

I made a couple pages of our way too early snow day this past September. I had so much fun with these ones. I made them using a couple of snow templates that I made. Templates are so fun to make and so easy to use. I've actually started up a blog to give some of my template freebies away! I've had 84 people download one and 63 another! It's crazy! I'm going to be giving away these snow templates sometime next week.... just in case you're interested! Go check out my blog here. Anyway, here are the scrapbook pages of my kids playing in the snow... and building their first snowman of the year (he was kinda small!!).

Interesting.....

2007-10-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

I saw this on Jamie's blog. Check it out and see which way you think the dancer is spinning. I had a very hard time trying to make it change directions, but I finally did it. I saw the dancer spinning clockwise. (If you want to try to make your eyes see it the other direction, try concentrating on the shadow.) I guess I'm right brained!

On a side note, the other day when Kaylee woke up (I was still in bed) I here her say "uh,oh" in the bathroom. That is never a good sign. I get up and walk in to see her with her pajamas and underwear pulled down, standing facing the toilet, with her underwear and pajamas soaked and pee on the floor. How did that happen? She was trying to be like her older brothers - standing up to use the potty! I had to explain to her that only boys could stand, girls ALWAYS have to sit!!!!

Great Grandparents

2007-10-14T18:33:00.001-07:00

I've been having a lot of fun doing some scrapbook pages of older pictures. This is one of my great grandparents Vern and Lucia Nelson.

Kaylee's 3rd Birthday

2007-10-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

Kaylee's birthday was on September 30th. We had a princess party for her and she just had a great time. Tyra and Lexi, and Marydell and Blair came by for it. She just loved opeing up her presents!!!! She also couldn't wait to dig in to the cake. Here are some pages I did of her party!!!!

If only it were this easy!!!!

2007-09-23T00:18:00.001-07:00

Austin's Look-A-Like

2007-09-23T00:06:00.000-07:00

Interesting the difference between Kaylee and Austin - since they look so much alike!!!!

Kaylee's Look-A-Like

2007-09-22T23:59:00.001-07:00

Not nearly as surprising as Jaden's!!!!

Jaden's Look-A-Like

2007-09-22T23:39:00.000-07:00

I don't know we've always thought that Jaden was just a miniature Guy!

I've made a template, or two......

2007-09-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Kristy has been making templates lately and I thought that it looked fun, so I went ahead and created a couple. I had a lot of fun with them and can't wait to use them. I decided with how much I use templates, it would be a good idea to make my own. That way when I go to make a scrapbook page, I can look at all my templates to help me decide the layout I want to use. That's what takes me the longest when making pages!!!! Anyway, I was pretty excited about it. They aren't the best, but hopefully I'll be getting better. Here are some images of my first two - I have another one in the works that having a lot of fun with!

More Procrastinating...

2007-09-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

Ive deen a few more scrapbook pages to keep myself from doing my history readings!!!! They have been a lot of fun though. I've mainly been doing the ones from our trip to Disneyland last March. These two are a couple of my favorites....
(Sorry Kristy, I know I post the same things over at LDS digi moms!!!)

Cinderella

2007-09-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

I made these last couple of pages last night while Kristy's kids were over. It was nice because they kept my kids busy so I could actually do something without them bugging me every 5 seconds!!! However, I did these pages instead of doing my history readings - I know I'm going to end up regretting that!!!!

Snow White

2007-09-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

I only wish I could think outside of the box a little more. My 'fellow digiscrappers' over at LDS digi moms are awesome and come up with the best ideas - I must steal their ideas!!!!

New Pages

2007-09-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

I've been having a lot of fun doing my scrapbooking using templates lately. It's so nice because I don't have to spend time thinking of a layout - it's already done for me. All I have to do is choose my pictures and my papers and put it together. Of course, I like to add little embellishments here and there, but this make it so much easier and quicker. Especially now that I'm in school!!!

I DID IT!!!

2007-09-02T22:46:00.000-07:00

I made it through my first week of school. Boy, are things going to get hectic. I am taking 3 history classes and 1 Education class. They are all going to involve A LOT of reading - especially the history classes. It has been kind of fun, though. I've enjoyed using my brain again! It's also been nice to have interaction with people that are older than 6!!!! I think I'm going to enjoy school, however, I'm going to be kept awfully busy. I guess that will help make the time go by faster. I'm disappointed that I won't be able to spend as much time doing my digital scrapbooking - it seems like it has been forever since I was able to sit down and spend time making pages. I am going to try to set aside one evening a week to do it, but we'll see if that actually happens!!
Anyway, wish me luck!

Monday is coming all too quick!!!!

2007-08-25T22:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it. I finally got registered for school! I have mixed feeling about this, but definitely believe that the pros outway the cons. I am going to be taking 12 credits (the minimum amount to still qualify for financial aid) which, for me, comes to four 3-credit classes. I am taking 3 history classes and an education course. For those of you (if there are any out there still reading this blog!) who don't know, I am majoring in elementary education with my emphasis in history. I only have four semesters left... and this includes my last semester being student teaching. Luckily, Guy and I were able to schedule our classes pretty good between the two of us, so that one of us would be with the kids. There will only be 4 hours a week of overlap and Guy's mom will watch Kaylee and Austin during those times. A special thanks goes out to my friend Kristy who will let Jaden come over to her house after he gets of the bus for a couple of hours every Thursday. Don't know what we would do without you Kristy! Hopefully, she will finally take us up on our offer to watch her kids while she and her husband do something.... Even if it's just staring at each other in the face wondering what they should do!

Anyway, it's going to be crazy for these next few months... oh, wait, I guess I mean couple of years! It will be worth it though. I'll be able to get a job when I finish to help get us through the next couple of years as Guy finishes his schooling. By then, maybe I'll want to continue to work - just to give us that little extra income. I'd still be home with the kids most of time. By then all will be in school.

I am scared though. It's going to be tough to be away from the kids, but it'll probably do me some good (and I am looking forward to using my brain again). It's also going to be tough keeping up on all the housework, that's already hard enough.

But, I CAN do it... I am woman, hear me roar!!!!!! (he,he,he! I know... I'm a dork)

Jaden's first day of school....

2007-08-17T08:11:00.001-07:00

and Austin's first day home without him! Jaden went to the first grade yesterday and LOVED it! He thinks he is so big and independent now. When he came home I, of course, asked him how school was and what he did. He, however, was much more interested in cartoons. When I finally did get him to talk with me, he informed me that his favorite part of the day was lunch. He loved going to the cafeteria and getting his corndogs. Apparently, the school makes better corn dogs that I do!!! He told me that they read a couple of stories and painted their hands and few other things. I asked him what else they did because he was at school for quite a while. He said "mostly recess, they have 3 long recesses in first grade". I was glad to hear that histwo favorite things were lunch and recess!!! I just hope some learning will come into play as well.

As for Austin - at 9:00 he started asking "When is Jaden going to be home?" and didn't quit until 3:00 when Jaden finally made it back.

Ooops! Forgot these ones!

2007-08-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

More garden pics

2007-08-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

Been busy working on these, but had a lot of fun with them!

New Van!!!!

2007-08-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

I am so very excited, we got a new van the other day. Our previous one had ended up costing way too much in repairs. We had a $2ooo bill for some work and then it needed a new engine which cost over $1000. Even after all that it still didn't seem to be running the best. It made a terrible high pitch whine whenever we hit 30 mph and then we had the air conditioning go. We didn't want to put more money into it so we decided to clean it up and park it on the side of the road with a For Sale sign. It sold the very next day! We were able to get slightly more than we owed on it. Then we found the perfect vehicle... only it was a few thousand more than what we could afford. Luckily, we are friends with one of the managers at a local dealership who was able to give us a deal we could not turn down! He lowered the price to our price range and gave us the van below the low value in the NADA and Kelley Blue Book. We wouldn't have been able to get this good of a deal from a private party!!!! We love our van and owe a lot to our friend! The best part of it is, knowing we have a reliable vehicle that we don't worry about breaking down every time we get in it.
It's crazy how some things just fall in place!!! We had tried to sell our van earlier with ads in the paper and everything, but we couldn't do it. Then all this falls in to place as soon as it sells. Wonderful!

Rexburg Gardens

2007-08-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a scrapbook page I did of Kaylee at the Rexburg Gardens. We had such a fun time and took some real cute pics.

Swim Lessons

2007-08-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

I put the boys into swim lessons this week here at the local swimming pool. They are just loving it!!! I had to put them in level two since level one was full, but we figured they would do okay because of their ages. We were a little iffy on whether or not Austin would be okay, but they both seem to be doing great! It's amazing how they will try new things with their instructors when they won't with their parents. I'll have to take some pictures of them tomorrow and post them.

We are having Lexi, their cousin, come stay with us tomorrow and Thursday night. The kids are SO excited!!! They just can't wait. Lexi, actually it was her mom, offered to give us a night out with free babysitting, so it will be great.

Anyway, I'll post some pics of the kids tomorrow!

Watermelon... Mmmmm!!!

2007-08-02T17:09:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken a couple of years back while we were visiting Guy's brother Daryl and his lovely family - Kerry, Soma, and Fela.

The Kids' Top 10 Favorite Things

2007-08-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

For our ward's digital scrapbooking group, we were given the challenge of completing a Top 10 Layout. I did one for Jaden and had such a fun time doing it I thought I would do one for Austin and Kaylee as well.

Stabbing

2007-07-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

I just got an email from my mom telling me that there was a stabbing just a block away from her home (where I grew up) behind my old elementary school. I was shocked. They live in a very nice upper middle class neighborhood in Kirkland, WA. It's about 1/2 hour away from Seattle. I guess there were two 17 year old boys who tried to stab a man to death so that they could have his iPod. Can you believe the disregard these two boys had for a human life? It's just terrible. If you want to check out the news footage, here's the link:
http://www.komotv.com/news/8810672.html

Anyway, check it out.

Busy Weekend and another scrapbook page

2007-07-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

Let's see.. I think I'll start with Thursday night. Guy and I went to Jackson Hole, WY to go to Bar J Chuckawagon. It's a dinner theater where they begin with feeding you dinner and then put on a western comedy show. It was a lot of fun! The best part was being able to eat my dinner... warm and without interruption. It was so nice not having to cut anybody's meat or cleaning up spills! It was a great break from the kids (about 9 hours worth), but I was ready to see them when we got home. They had gone over to their cousin Lexi's house. They had a blast! They couldn't stop talking about all that they had done. Lexi had set up the little pool and sprinkler for them when they got there. They played all sorts of games - Kaylee was able to play Barbies with Lexi while the boys played with the GameCube. They did crafts ate popsicles and did all sorts of fun things. She was such a great babysitter!

Friday morning I got the kids ready and took off for Preston to visit with my grandparents and go to the Nelson reunion. It was a lot of fun and there were plenty of kids there for Jaden, Austin, and Kaylee to play with. Guy came down Saturday morning to pick up a dresser my Grandma was giving me and we played for a bit and then drove home.

A fun weekend with a lot of driving!!!

Oh yeah, here's my scrapbook page I did today.

I have some Good News and some Bad News

2007-07-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

Let's start with the good news. I have officially been released as my ward's nursery teacher!!!! I have been in there for over a year and have been having a real hard time being happy about it. I was able to go to Sunday School as well as Relief Society... and let me tell you what a relief that was. It was so nice! I didn't come home screaming at my kids because of the frustrations with nursery. Before, I just never had a break from kids (my kids). For a while I had both Austin and Kaylee in nursery and now just Kaylee - but I never got a break and I was starting to wear thin. Anyway, it has been a very good day at church!

Now for the bad news.... I gave Jaden and Austin a haircut last night - that's not the bad news - their haircuts turned out great. Kaylee wanted one as well, but I told her she didn't need one, just the boys. Well, I guess she really thought she did need one because this morning she got hold of some scissors and decided to give herself one! I was so upset - it takes her hair a long time to grow. I will include a picture. It's not a lot of cutting, but it's in a very bad location and cut right to her scalp!

The good side....

And the bad....

Here's a couple more...

2007-07-23T13:44:00.001-07:00

Here are two more pages that I made of when Grandma and Grandpa came up. We took a fun trip to Mesa Falls and Grandpa had to walk up and down all... those... stairs.

Camping Pages

2007-07-23T09:32:00.001-07:00

Here are some pages from our camping trip over Memorial Day Weekend.

Rachel's New Baby

2007-07-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

Rachel just had her baby not quite two days ago! I'm just so excited for her - she's now got her little girl she's been wanting. They named her Rozlyn (I think that's how they are spelling it, but don't quote me on that) and I think her middle name is Mary - once again don't quote me! Anyway, I went over to visit her today and that little girl is just SO adorable and tiny. I couldn't believe how tiny she is. She is just perfect and healthy and Rachel seems to be doing great. It sounds like it was an easy delivery (no pushing was involved!). I'm so jealous. Well, I guess that's about it. Kaylee just thought that Baby Rozlyn was so cute and now keeps talking about her - even though I would only let Kaylee look at her from a little bit of a distance. I'll have to take a picture of her and post it (if Rachel is okay with that.)

Fishing Disaster - or so the kids think

2007-07-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

This evening was so wonderful and cool that Guy and I had the great idea to take the kids fishing at the local fishing pond. The kids were super excited. They've only been fishing twice before and both times they each caught a fish. They absolutely loved that! Well, today, they were not quite as lucky. There were no catches, not even a nibble or two. They went away very disappointed. Guy and I tried to convince them that fishing is still fun even if you don't catch anything and that we had just been very lucky the past couple of times. They wouldn't buy that and just complained that we hadn't done anything fun today. Aaaaaaaaagh! I don't know what to do with those kids sometimes. We have offered to take them back fishing tomorrow evening, but they didn't seem all that excited anymore. Hopefully, we'll catch something this next time!

Yard Sale and More Scrapbook Pages!!!

2007-07-15T23:26:00.000-07:00

Let's see.... here are the other scrapbook pages that I have done - all today!

Well, it has been a very busy (and HOT!!!) weekend. We got together with a couple of friends and had a very successful yard sale. I couldn't believe how packed my yard was with all the stuff! It was great though, the kids went through all of their toys and picked out (with Guy's and my urging and guidance) several to sell. They really did do a great job! They were promised that if their toys sold, we would let them have the money to go and pick out a better one. So yesterday, after the garage sale was over, we took them to WalMart to pick out their toy. It felt like Christmas to them. Never before have they been able to just go and pick out a toy with very few restrictions. Jaden picked out a radar gun - so he could find out how fast he can ride his bike! - and a big coloring poster. Austin picked out - with much enthusiasm - a marble game and a little robot. Of course, we couldn't leave Kaylee out, so she got a snap 'n style doll. Unfortunately, it was late when we got home and Kaylee and Jaden had fallen asleep and weren't able to play with their new toys - they were disappointed. Austin's enthusiasm kept him awake and was able to get out his marbles to play for half of an hour. How could we say no to those adorable and excited eyes - we are such pushovers!

And yet another page....

2007-07-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a page I just did of some OLD Halloween pictures. These were back from 2005!!!

Austin without his training wheels

2007-07-07T10:34:00.001-07:00

Jaden without training wheels

2007-07-07T10:32:00.001-07:00

Kaylee

2007-07-07T10:28:00.001-07:00

I'm Back!!!!

2007-07-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

We got a new computer recently so I thought I would go ahead and start posting again. Lately, I've been doing a lot of digital scrapbooking. I love it!!! No more sticky fingers! Anyway, I thought I would post a couple of my pages. Here they are:

Show and Tell

2006-09-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

So, Friday was show-and-tell for Jaden at kindergarten. He was so excited.... and I forgot to help him find something, so he went empty handed. He was supposed to bring something that began with E, F, or G, (the letters that they had been working on that week). While other kids in the class were showing their stuff, Jaden sat there thinking. When his teacher asked Jaden what he brought, instead of just telling her that we forgot, he got up in front of the class and introduced them to his show-and-tell item --- his imaginary friend, "Froggy". His teacher was great and asked him to tell the class a little bit about Froggy. Jaden told them that Froggy had the body of a zebra, the head of a yak, and the running power of a cheetah. His teacher noticed that that description had nothing to do with frogs and asked him why he chose the name Froggy (other than the fact that show-and-tell needed to start with e, f, or g). Jaden just responded, "Because it can jump as high as a frog." I asked Jaden if his teacher thought that was kind of funny and he told me "yeah, she laughed. And I made some of the kids laugh too." I asked if he thought it was fun to make them laugh and he said yes. That was the highlight of his day. I am just so glad that he was creative enough to come up with something like that for show-and-tell, instead of taking the easy way out and being sad because we forgot to get something picked out. He did great and is so fun with that crazy imagination of his!!!

Prussian Blue and a Question for you

2006-08-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

I don't know if any of you saw Primetime last night. I was watching and it made me sick. They were speaking of Outsiders that are in the U.S. They talked to and about these adorable 13 year old blonde blue-eyed twin girls. They have a recording contract with a White supremacist label and call themselves Prussian Blue after there German heritage. These poor little girls have been home-schooled by their white-supremacist mother. She has taught these girls that all other races are lower than the white race and that Adolf Hitler had some "really good ideas" (quoting from one of the girls). Their grandfather wears a swastika on his belt and has it printed on his truck. These girls are used for propaganda and trying to recruit young 12 and 13 year old girls. These twins don't believe the holocaust even happened or at least not to the extent that it did. This segment just made me sick! I feel so bad for these girls, they don't even have a chance. They have been groomed for this ever since they were tiny and do not know any better. I just hope that someday they will be able to get away from their mother and are able to form their own opinions about race.

Anyway, sorry about my ranting.... Here is a much lighter subject/question for you. Why is that when your child is learning to talk, you can't wait for them to say "mom" and then when they turn 3 and above you can't stand the sound of it?

I love my kids, but sometimes, I wish they would say mom without the whine!!!!

KIndergarten is Great...

2006-08-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Not only for Jaden, but for me as well. It is just amazing what I can get done with one less child in the house for a few hours. It was so nice today when Jaden was in school and both Kaylee and Austin fell asleep......... at the same time........... and for 1 1/2 hours. What did I do? Not what I should have..... I sat down on the couch and read a book. I haven't been able to do that during the day, while it was quiet for at least 2 years!!! Probably longer! It was great!!! I just hope that it will someday happen again.

Success!!!

2006-08-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

Jaden's first day (and second) was definitely a success. He just loved it! He got on the bus without a fear in the world. I asked him if he wanted me to meet him at his school to help him find his class, his response "I think I can do it by myself!" It was the hardest thing for me to do, but I let him go... alone. I picked him up from the bus stop and he came running towards me with a huge smile. He had had a wonderful time. He has grown so much and has become so independent. Sometimes, I must selfishly admit, I wish he needed me more. He is such a great kid and can't wait to go back to school next week.

While Jaden went to school yesterday, Guy and I took Austin and Kaylee to the zoo. It worked out great. This way Austin felt special as well and got a little extra attention. While we were there, Austin did say "I hope Jaden's school is over when we get home." I'm so glad he loves his brother and missed him. I'm also glad that for a few hours he was the "older brother".

Jaden Meets His Teacher

2006-08-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I have been completely lazy with this whole blogging thing. That said, I just hadn't had much to write about that anyone would in the least bit find interesting. Well, today Jaden went to his new school and met his new kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Hayes in room 10. He had to wear his backpack to take in his school supplies. There is something magical about the first backpack. I guess it makes starting school real, and it has a really cool Spiderman on the front and cool pockets on the inside that hold two pencils and a big one that can hold his cool lion and hippo erasers.

Anyway, back to meeting the teacher and seeing the school.... We walked in the amazingly crowded front doors and paid the $6 registration fee and then went to another table to meet his bus driver. She was an older lady with greasy short hair and a raspy voice, who seems nice enough, but my son gave me a funny look as we walked on to find his classroom. As we walk down the hall, my son looks at the room numbers 1, 2, 3, ... 7, 8, 9, and then he finds the long awaited 10!

We go in and see moms and kids walking all over and putting together their kids supply cubbies and signing up to volunteer. His teacher sees us and walks over to Jaden and asks him his name. She is very sweet and will be just wonderful for my ever sensitive little boy. She showed him where the coat hooks and the cubbies are and he ever so anxiously found his name. We put together his supplies and while I signed up for volunteering, he drew a self portrait and wrote his name. She took his picture and tried to talk to him. My shy little Jaden said very little, but she was very good about it. This is her first year at this school so I don't know anything about her and it makes me a little nervous.

I hope she will be patient with my little perfectionist, and comforting and careful with my little sensitive boy, and challenging with my smart little boy who can already read (very well) and do some addition and subtraction. All these hopes and worries can make me insane. I hope he finds his classroom and doesn't miss the bus on the way home. I hope he makes new friends (all his current friends are either in the 1st grade or in Mrs. Ishino's class). As a mom, you worry so much. You don't want your child to be lonely or sad, and I know I'm just being paranoid. Kids make friends so easy and fast.

Anyway, school starts on Thursday. Yes, just two days away and I'm a wreck! Doesn't August 17th sound so early to start school? He's so excited it is finally here.

A Trip to the Dentist

2006-07-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

So I've been kind of lazy with my blogging lately, haven't had much to blog about, I guess! Well, today I took the kids to the dentist. I was, of course, prepared for the worst, but to my pleasant surprise, they were WONDERFUL!!! They were very cooperative and happy. I always remember, as a child, being nervous and apprehensive at the dentist. My kids were excited to go. They love the new toothbrushes they get and the toy from the treasure chest! I was worried how they would act while I was getting my teeth cleaned. The wonderful ladies there, as well as the dentist, were great with them. They just let them kind of wander in the back where we were (it's kind of an open dental office with only partial walls between the different rooms) and turned on the TV for them. The ladies entertained them and they were great. They loved getting the pink stuff on their teeth to see where the sugarbugs are and watching it disappear with the cleaning. Anyway, nothing exciting going on here, just a trip to the dentist!!!!

TMJ...That Miserable Jaw

2006-07-11T21:16:00.000-07:00

I have TMJ and have been going to the orthodontist for four months now to try and get it corrected. For the past4 months I have had to wear what they call a splint. It is a hard plastic mouthpiece that I wear on my upper teeth. This allows for my lower jaw to move to its more natural position. I don't quite understand how it works, but it does! My teeth no longer meet, except for in one spot. I went in to my orthodontic appointment today and was told that I would only have to wear it for two more weeks. Yippee!!! The splint is terrible. It's hard to talk with and even harder to eat with! The next step..... braces. That part I'm not to excited about. But, boy, will it be nice when we are all finished. No more jaw pain, and much better looking teeth!!! I must thank my husband for this. He talked me into going in for a consultation. I was so against getting braces. I didn't see the point now that I'm older and have kids that the money could be going to. He did all the checking into it and found that our insurance would pay for TMJ work - which me that they will help cover the splint as well as the braces!!! This was pretty exciting for us because our insurance doesn't pay for adult orthodontics. Anyway, thank you Guy for talking me in to going to the consultation and getting the work done!

We're Back!

2006-07-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

Well, we are back from our trip to Kirkland (near Seattle). We had such a great time and I had a hard time leaving. The kids were so sad to leave Grandma and Grandpa and wished that they could stay. We had fabulous weather and were able to do some fun things. Our favorite thing was going to NorthWest Trek. It is a great place to go with families of all ages. The young kids enjoyed it as well as we did. When we first got there, the kids were able to do a fun "critter craft" for free. They made frogs with those funny noise makers for the tongue (even better - they really didn't make noise!) After that, we boarded a windowless tram and set off through the wildlife park and saw all kinds of animals that are from the Northwest area. There were Roosevelt elk, bison, mountain goats, beavers, deer of several types and others. After we were done with the tour we were able to see grizzly bears and cougars and such. It was a lot of fun. and we all really enjoyed it. I'll have to post some pictures of it later.

The 4th of July was also a lot of fun. My brothers were able to come up and have a little barbeque at my parents' house and, boy, did my boys have fun with those crazy brothers of mine. (I have three older brothers) They especially enjoyed watching their Uncle Kelly do his monkey routine! After the barbeque, Guy, the kids, and I went to Bellevue to watch the fireworks there. The park was jam-packed with people and it was a great place to be if you enjoy people-watching. The fireworks were fantastic and the kids - much to my surprise - were fascinated. I was worried that they, especially Kaylee, would be scared of them and the noise they make, but they all loved it. Kaylee sat on my lap and just kept saying "wow, wow" and trying to reach up and catch them. It was great.

We had such a great vacation. It is hard to come back home and get back in to the routine of our regular lives. But, here we are and we are happy to be home.

Works For Me Wednesday

2006-06-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. It's not really Wednesday, it's Tuesday. However, I think I'm going to be to busy tomorrow for our vacation to be able to get on the computer. So here is my WFMW a day early.

Another use for baby wipes: They are great for removing lipstick (or any other make-up) stains. There is nothing worse than trying to get lipstick out of your shirt. After you get a stain - before you wash it, just take a baby wipe and blot at the stain and you'll be surprised how it disappears.

They also work great for those awful deoderant marks left on black shirts. Give it a try!

One final use: washing your face when camping. It is so hard to try and wash your face while camping and so easy to carry some baby wipes with you. I can't stand all the dust and dirt that collects on your face (and arms and legs) while camping. I seem to continually be taking a baby wipe to my face. It always feels so good. They also work good to remove make-up from your face at home for a quick cleansing before bed!

I will probaby be gone from the blogging world for the next week or so while I am visiting with my family in Seattle!

Getting Ready

2006-06-26T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well, we are trying to get ready to go for our trip to the Seattle area to visit my family. We leave on Thursday and, boy, are the kids excited. We are driving to Sun Valley and then flying the rest of the way. Austin has never been on a plane, and Jaden can't remember we he had flown - so this is a pretty exciting thing for them. I'm constantly being asked "Is today the day we get to go on the plane?" and "If the cars will look like ants, - what will the houses look like?" It's been difficult to try and answer all these questions when I'm trying to get 'caught up' on laundry. Whatever THAT means. I don't think it is really ever possible. There is always something dirty! It is just completely never-ending.

The other thing about trying to get ready for vacation is that you can't pack until the night before or the morning of. For example, you can't pack make-up, toothbrushes, hair combs... until that morning because you need to use those. I don't know about you, but I don't have enough clothes to be able to pack those much in advance either. I always have to do at least one load of laundry the day before. And then there are toys. What do you pack for the kids for the car ride, the plane ride and to have at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We are trying to pack light and it is so easy for me to over pack. I have a very hard time making decisions!!!!

Anyway, those are our "getting ready" woes. I'm sure Wednesday will be a busy day and a long night, but we are sure excited to go visit home and family.

Works For Me Thursday!?!

2006-06-20T20:13:00.000-07:00

I know I'm a day late getting this out. I didn't get a chance to get on the computer yesterday - The woes of having only one computer... which is my husband's laptop which is for work... at least we are lucky enough for them to let us use it for personal use as well.

Anyway, back to WFMW (or WFMTh). I don't know about you, but whenever I am finished putting my make-up on in the morning, I end up with a thin film all over my counter and sink. All my make-up is in powder form, from my foundation to my eyeshadow. It can make a real mess. That's where my most beloved invention comes in.... Baby Wipes. Yes, baby wipes. I keep them everywhere. Including my bathroom. I find it very helpful to just take a baby wipe and wipe down the counter and sink after I'm done. It makes it easier to keep the bathroom clean. I have also found that they are also very good at getting rid of your husband's unsightly whiskers he left in the sink. Anyway, it works for me!

Baby wipes are good for so many things. I'll have to write about some others for later WFMW. I highly suggest for everyone to by a tub of baby wipes whether you have kids or not. You will find many uses.

Diet Coke and Mentos

2006-06-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

You might be wondering what someone can do with Diet Coke and Mentos. Well, this is the answer. My husband saw this on Yahoo! and I just thought it was hilarious. If anyone has been to the Belagio in Las Vegas - or even if you haven't - I think you'll enjoy this. I hope the video works. If not got to eepybird.com.

(I tried to embed the video, but I just don't want to take the time to figure it out right now!)

I don't think the video will work. I'm still trying to figure out all this blogging stuff. However, I did finally figure out how to use links!!! Give me some credit. Anyway, go to the site - it's worth it.