Wow...where do the days go?

Jessica is getting a bunch more teeth. She now has 8 on bottom & 6 on top, 2 more ready to come in any day on top. She's done really well with it too. I've only given her Tylenol a few times for small fevers. She's not a picky eater and especially loves any kind of fruit. She is so cute and is a little sweetheart....but just like a shirt of hers "little girl BIG attitude". She definitely has a scowl for when she's not happy. Some of the words she says right now are (that we understand) puppy, Daddy, Mommy, Binky, No, Hello, Hi, Bye, Night-Night, Eat, Drink, Shoe, Banana, Ball, Fly, TV...... Of course she says them her way but I can understand them. She knows where her nose is and can blows a little when we say blow as we wipe it. When we say "Jessica, Guess What?" she'll say "What"...it's so stinkin cute!

Justin started preschool last Thursday. He loves it! He went again today....so Jessica and Mommy get 6 hours a week to do what girls want! hehe......Except of course when Josh and Jaren are off track. I take Josh and Jaren to school at 8:30 then go strait to Justin's preschool. He goes from 8:45 - 11:45 Tue & Thurs. They have a fun activity all set up when he arrives, so I say bye right before he gets to the door. He really likes singing time because I always hear about that first.

Jaren had fun at his party. He was so surprised when the inflatable slide was delivered Friday night. We didn't tell him!!! About 20 kids came....ages 3 - 10 but mostly 6. While he was eating pizza with his friends G-ma Tauna, G-pa Howard and Aunt Candice surprised him, they drove down from Idaho to see him on his B-Day! I probably should have had a couple games planned, but was running out of time, so I didn't plan any this year. The slide was a big hit so that was a good thing. I forgot to take a picture of Jaren's cake! It was so cute too! After the party Jaren told me he wanted me to get the Hostess Zingers for his Party like we did for his school class! I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted to, someone kept needing something. Only a few remembered to wear sunblock, so I was busy putting that on the kids. I needed to get more on Justin though because he ended up getting a little sunburn.

Josh's teacher actually called last week, to tell me that he wasn't doing the worksheets they were working on that day. And when she took away his recess so he could finish, he said he didn't want to go to recess. So then she said she would take away something he likes, like PE and made him go to recess.............didn't make sense to me. Then a different teacher found him in the hall way and brought him back to class. She asked if I had ever had him tested for Attention Deficit!!! What! Are you kidding me! He can be stubborn at times, but what kid isn't. So we talked after school and he said he was mad but couldn't remember why. And that it was too hot at the last recess so he didn't want to go out. I asked if anyone was bothering him or being mean at recess, and he said no. So I just told him to do his best at school, pay attention, listen to his teacher, if it's hot outside, find shade under a tree (recess only lasts 15 min) and that I love him and he can talk to me about anything. I should ask him how things are going in the morning. Oh, Josh learned how to blow a bubble with his gum this past week!

I now have a 7, 6, 3 & 1 year old. Jess will be 18 months and Josh 7 1/2 next month. Jessica and I went to a few stores today, didn't buy anything just looked...then we went to get a pedicure, I did...she watched. :)

Jaren's B-Day Pictures!

Upside down picture of what was left of the cake. It had seaweed, goldfish, the shark. I forget what else, It was cute though.

I am so excited!!!

We just rented this for Jaren's Party!!!!! It is 16 ft tall....now is that the top of the arch, maybe...but still it will be a ton of fun! It can be used wet or dry......we're going to use it wet! We will also have our swing set, trampoline, a small pool, slip n slide and a sprinkler. I'm going to have a few games besides that....and water balloons!!! We are going to have a blast!!!!! :)

Thankful

I am thankful for my 4 wonderful children and husband.

I am thankful that Matt is a hard worker and I am able to stay home with our kids.

I am thankful that we are all healthy.

I am thankful that we live close to our parents and families, if anything happened....we aren't to far away.

- - - - - - - - - -

I found this on my friends blog, Jenna - the one who died. She was in the hospital for her first round of chemo.

If there is one thing that I will take away from this experience it is that you have to hold close your loved ones. Don't take them for granted even for a second because you never know how much more time you have with them. Love your husbands with all your heart and soul. Let unimportant things go and make them a priority. Love your children every second and put down that book, or that computer mouse, and love them like there is no tomorrow. Every time your husband gets on your nerves.. think of me... up here without mine. Love him. Every time your kids drive you nuts and you want to escape... think of me and how I would do anything to be home around my nutty kids. Love like there is no tomorrow...... be forgiving....and make the most of the time you have.

- - - - - - - - - -

Then a good quote from my friend Candice's Blog -

"True love does not come by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

Lazy Saturday...

Justin, Jessica and I went to Walmart yesterday after taking Josh & Jaren to school. We picked up fruit (Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Red & Green Grapes and Strawberries - We love fruit!) to take to the Hip Hop BBQ. We walked over to see the fish in the tanks while we were at Walmart, they both loved that. And even got to play on the quarter machine toys too. The news crew was actually going to be at the BBQ but called and said they were going to cancel because of the Lightning and Thunder. Everyone was looking forward to that. :( We were there from 7:30 - 10:30! They had a prizes for anyone who came. There were cute $1.00 things, gift certificates & T-Shirts. Jessica got a lion face key chain, Justin a cow eraser, Jaren a pen w/stamp & Josh markers.

We stayed home today. Watched TV, played inside, outside & with play doe. And everyone seemed to cry and fight. I made Jaren's B-Day invitations....we're having a water party in the back yard next Saturday. He actually chose that over Classic Fun Center. I've talked to Matt a couple of time since Thursday morning. He's busy, busy. Well, Have a good night. :)

10 Things I did today

* Took Josh & Jaren to school on our bikes to and from school - Justin rode his bike on the way there, then wanted in the trailer with Jessica on the way back. So the front wheel of his bike rode in the back of the trailer and the back wheel dragged behind!
* Played at the Park with Justin & Jessica next to Josh & Jaren's school.
* Mowed the front yard with Justin at Noon....way hot, while Jessica napped.
* Cleaned the Kitchen.
* Washed and Folded 2 loads of Laundry.
* Filled out paper work that the kids brought home from school.
* Went to Back to School Night from 6:30 - 8:00.....I called the neighbor girl that is 14 to watch the kids while I was gone.
* Typed up a list for the Babysitter! I haven't had the greatest experience the last couple of times I used a couple girls from our ward. So call me mean names for making some Rules.
* Made 3 meals +1 snack for my kids and ate with them! Oh, OK....Josh and Jaren ate school lunch.
*Read 3 books to the boys before they went to bed.

I'm hitting the hay soon....it sure is nice to listen to a quiet house.

Our Busy Life

Josh & Jaren started school on Monday and both seem to really like it. I am wondering if Josh was bitter about school because he didn't like his teacher to much last year. She might have been strict but seemed fun also....he did have a couple pages of homework Mon-Thurs each night but they were simple. He also read a little each night and practiced his spelling and sight words. He acts like he likes school now though, so that's awesome! :) The kids and I went to the Mall Monday night to get them all new shoes....buy one get one 1/2 off at Famous Footwear! I know why I don't go to the Mall often with all 4 kids!! We rented a 2 seater fire truck stroller for Justin & Jessica. Well worth the $4! Then Tuesday night we got new backpacks at K-Mart 50% off. :) Josh and Jaren didn't really need them but have had the same ones since Preschool.....3 years ago. Justin & I just got done mowing the front lawn. Matt is to busy at work to do it this week. All this week he's gotten home late, like 11 or later. His boss actually said he could stay at a hotel for the rest of the week if he'd like. So he packed a few things this morning. He's got a few to choose from working right next to the SLC Airport. This weekend is the big move....across the parking lot to a new building, but they will save a ton of money in the long run. He was really busy last week too. He needs to take a nice big vacation when it's all done. Well me too, :) hehe it's hard not having him home in the evening......although I'm getting use to it. With him being extra busy all summer doing consulting. I've got to take my shower before Jessica wakes up and Seasame Street gets over for Justin. Then it will be time to get Josh & Jaren from School. We rode our bikes today....so I'll ride mine with the trailer for Jessica. Sometimes Justin rides his bike and sometimes he rides in the trailer with her.

Some things never end.....

Dishes and Laundry!!! My house is a mess and I'm a procrastinator......not a good thing. Funny thing - today at church in primary we sang. . . . . .

"Fun to do"

Singing a song* is fun to do,
Fun to do, to do, to do!
Singing a song is fun to do,
To do, to do, to do!

* Children could think of other things that are fun to do, such as:
Sharing my toys
Reading a book
Riding a bike
Cleaning my room
Doing a dance
Painting a picture
Helping a friend
Playing a drum

and then in class the kids (Matt & I teach the 4 & 5 year olds - CTR 5) were coloring and sang - Coloring is fun to do.........then another little girl sang Cleaning my room is fun to do...........I think that is something I need to start singing when I clean! haha With Justin he loves when I sing the Clean up song they use on Barney. Clean up clean up everybody everywhere. Clean up clean up everybody do your share.

Tonight at about 8:30 I tell the boys it's time to start getting ready for bed. They all tell me they aren't tired. It only took Jaren & Justin 5 min to fall asleep, Josh was a little more. I've got to get them to bed earlier since school starts on the 13th. We have been going to bed around 10pm and they have been sleeping until about 9am. I need to get them on a 8:30pm - 7:30am schedule.

Pictures!!!

I made Freezer Strawberry Jam! It was really easy & it is so yummy.... now we have Jam like G-ma Tauna! The hardest part was finding the containers. These are nicer than the Ziploc containers but Walmart only carried the quart size. I finally found them at Ace's Hardware! I like the pint size the best but ended up with pint, 1 1/2 pint & quart size containers. All you use is strawberries, sugar & sure jell. I used 3 flats of strawberries and ended up with about the equivalent of 50 pints! Should be enough until next summer!!!

Matt built a Picnic Table!

Josh's Robot made from K'nex!

He also made a Table and Chairs!

Oh no, the kids want to pop my babies!

(Jaren pretending to be a bird with water balloons!)

Look what I made....not sure what it is!

Cool...look what I found!

Ready to mow lawn with Dad!

I love my binky's!

Silly girl!

We made the Alphabet!

All our kids!

Jessica is holding a baby frog we found in our backyard!

Our Day

The kids have been asking to go to Classic Fun Center (Skating, Bouncing, Laser Tag & more!) for the last couple weeks so I decided to take them today. Before we went we cleaned up the house. I told them haven't you heard the saying "work before you play." He he! They had a lot of fun. I wondered if it might be a little busy since it's summer, but I'm happy it wasn't! Jessica slept for 30 min in the car on our way there then Justin and Jessica fell asleep on the way home. They had to have been pooped..... although they are kids, they keep going and going and going! We were there from about noon - 5:00. Matt actually stayed home today and tomorrow to finish up a consulting project he needs to have done by Friday. We got a grill this summer! We have loved it. We stopped at the store to get some chicken, marinade, salad and corn. The kids love the food Dad grills, (to be honest I really like it too!) It's the best! So far we've cooked Steak, Chicken, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. If you have any good grilling recipes let me know. He just needs to show me how to use it now. Ta-Ta For Now ~ as tigger would say!

Summer is here!

We are having a good summer! Josh & Jaren's last day of school was June 29th. They had a great year at school, but are glad to have a break and then start a new year. Josh will be in 2nd grade and Jaren in 1st!!! I'm excited that they start school on August 13th and not July 23rd like all the other tracks. :) Jaren drew pictures for his Kindergarten graduation....he loves to draw sharks and rockets! I got a sitter and went with Josh on a Field trip to Thanksgiving Point. It was a fun place we'll have to go back with the family. I'm thinking I might sign Justin up for preschool for 4 hours a week. He loves going to church and asks to go almost daily. He is still in nursery so they get a snack and play, along with a lesson. His class with change next year though.

We decided to drive up and visit some family in Idaho July 1st - July 5th. Matt could only come the night of the 3rd - the night of the 4th. Oh......I learned that you have to be careful of the boxes of fireworks you buy! I ended up buying a big box of poppers and silly pull string confetti things!!! Good thing the firework stands were still open and Matt's little sister got what she could with $20. I took the kids to Rigby Lake the 2nd and 5th. They loved playing in the sand and water! I forgot to take many pictures. We'll just have to go again! Candice (Matt's little sister) took the boys to the Mary-go-round and spray park. We also had breakfast on the 4th at Matt's family's church....where his Dad is now the Bishop! Then we went to the Parade. Josh and Jaren got up early to help set the flags up for the ward....and they helped take them down that evening too. Matt, his Dad, Brother and G-pa Oliver went golfing that afternoon. And get this all my kids took a nap! Josh was the last one asleep and the first one awake, but I still thought that was pretty good.

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

Last night we went to our towns Carnival. The kids had a blast! At the end we had cotton candy and listened to the band that was playing. Justin and Jessica were dancing, it was the cutest. I tried taking a video clip but it was to dark.

This morning we went to the Parade. Josh & Jaren got to be on a float (with a bunch of girls...hehe) because they are in a hip-hop class. They were excited to throw candy! Only 4 out of the 10 boys rode the float.

Josh....sitting down in the middle of
the float with a black shirt on.

Jaren....standing up with a black shirt on.



Then tonight we drove up our street 1/2 mile to watch the fire works at 10:00. The kids liked watching them....Justin has never liked them until this year.

My Friend, Jenna

A picture of her and her family taken a few weeks ago.

A friend of mine from Tennessee died Wednesday morning, June 27, 2007. Her name was Jenna. She just turned 35 years old, had been married for 11 years and had 3 children Ashlee(7), Kaitlin (5 in July), and Jacob (1). She was also 21 weeks pregnant with a baby boy, William.

She found out last fall she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia and spent most of that fall in the hospital undergoing Chemo. (She also had Non Hodgkins Lymphoma when she was 14) She was released the first of December thinking she was cured and wanted to get on with her life. A few months later she found out she was pregnant with William, which was a miracle from just having had chemo. Then a few months ago found out her Leukemia was back. The doctors advised her to terminate the pregnancy, she wouldn't even consider it. She chose another treatment plan that included chemotherapy during pregnancy with a bone marrow transplant after the birth of Will. She was able to go on a cruise with her husband a little over a month ago and went to the beach with her family last week. She went to the hospital Sunday night(a day early)because she had pulled the muscles in her leg really bad while at the beach. She had a terrible headache Tuesday night and they did a CAT scan and found bleeding on the outside of her brain. She was able to see her Mom and 2 daughters earlier that evening, her son couldn't come because he is under 2. She was only at the hospital for 2 days and 3 nights.

As I had told her before she inspired me. She was happy, fun, outgoing, energetic, and that rubbed off on everyone she was with. She honestly had the most friends of any person I know. She invited me to be in her Moms & Kids Group that she organized. I miss the times we were together either at a playgroup, Mother's night out or Playing Bunco. Our family's even went to a Christmas Parade together. She's the person I want to be. Her family meant everything to her. She was an Awesome Mom. She has always lived every day to it's fullest. She never gave up, though she had so many times she could have. She touched my life in a big way....I wish I had known her better. I will miss you greatly, as will everyone you knew.

*I wish my home computer was working so I could get more pictures of her.

I had eye surgery....

...on Friday morning! It's like Lasik but it's called PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) Matt had it done too on May 11th. His eyes are good now other than a little dryness. I could barley open my eyes the first few days. Monday was the first day I could open my eyes without them hurting. It still hurts to read or be on the computer, so I'm going to have to make this short. It's like I am seeing double letters. It feels like I have an old pair of contacts in because I can't see very good. I go in today to get the bandage contact lens out. Each day my eyes should see more clearly but it can take up to about a month to see 20/20.

Finally!!!

Justin went poo in the toilet this morning!!!!! OK I'll start from last night..... right before bed I had put pull-ups on him and then I saw him up and as soon as he saw me he hid behind the door. I took him into the bathroom and of course he didn't want to go. Matt came in with Pumba the warthog (from the movie The Lion King.....a present from G-ma Tauna - Thank you! - It's a stuffed animal that farts and burps when you feed him bugs) and a hand full of left over sloppy Joe's and had Pumba poo in the toilet! He seemed amazed that Pumba just pooed in the toilet. But he wouldn't go, so off to bed. Then this morning he acted like he needed to go but when I asked he said he didn't need to. Then I asked if he wanted me to get a pull-up.....he said yes. I said nope you need to go in the toilet. So I took him into the bathroom and I said just fart like Pumba and the poo will come out all by itself. Then the rest is history! :) He said "Mom it didn't hurt!" Then I acted silly and told him how happy I was, called Dad to tell him and we went to Walmart to get him a treat. Yeah!!! Thank you Pumba!

Happy Birthday Justin!

Justin turned 3 today! We counted down the days with him, he was so excited it was his birthday. We gave him one present before church, then had a little BBQ, cake and presents for him afterwords. He is growing up so fast, I don't know where the time goes. He is so funny! I need to write down the things he says. We had a great day! Here's a few pictures.......

Hello!

Last night I didn't feel great, I thought I was hungry and ate an apple. Then this morning at 3 am I woke up not feeling well.....like throwing up. And I did, at least I made it to the bathroom. So we stayed home today and I didn't pick up the house, it looks horrible right now. So before I go to bed tonight that's what I get to do. Yippee!

Matt's brother, Cameron, came to visit us on Friday. He has been in Iraq for the past 14 months. I was stuck in traffic when Matt called to tell me he was coming. I had gone to get Josh and Jaren from him after they watched Spider-man because he had things to do at work. (and actually Josh threw up on himself in Matt's car right before he met me, hmmmmm) I made it home 20 min. before Cam arrived. Jaren seemed the most exited he was coming. He said "Cameron's coming to play with us". He had been asking to go visit him ever since Cameron got back a few weeks ago. We were able to go to the airport when he flew home from Iraq at 10:30 pm, but had to come home so Matt could be at work the next day...and it was the kids last day of school before they went off track.

Last weekend was cold and we just hung out at the house. Then on Monday we went to Classic Fun Center. It has Skating, Big Inflatables to bounce and slide, Laser Tag , Pirate Play area. It was a lot of fun! Cam bought the tickets for the Laser Tag. Josh and Jaren were really excited, It was the first time they played it. We were there for 3 hours. When we drove up, I went in to make sure they were open. Because there were only 2 cars in the parking lot. We have been there when it is busy and let me tell you, we won't do that again. It's not fun when you can't find your kid. (Jaren) He wasn't where he should have been. Some more kids came later.....but only 20 kids in a huge building is a lot more fun than 200.

Matt's working late tonight. We probably won't see him much for the next 2 months because he's doing some work for his last job. Then at his current job they'll be moving to a different building the end of July.

Well, I'm off to clean.

This and That

We didn't make it to the Dinosaur Park on Tuesday. That was part of my bribery for Justin to poo in the toilet. After all day of him holding his bum and leaving skid marks in 6 pairs of underwear, we decided to put pull ups on him and I think he felt much better about 20 min later. I keep telling him I would like him to go in the toilet but have let him wear pull ups for about an hour in the morning and he goes then. I'm stuck on what to do.

Tuesday Matt came home early from work. He got home at about 5, which for him is early. And he taught both Jaren and Justin how to ride a bike! Jaren without training wheels and Justin with. All within about an hour. I left with Jessica and Josh right before that to take Josh to hip hop and then went to the store and when I got home they both were riding bikes! I guess I wasn't a very good teacher because I had tried to show them how too. We knew Jaren could because he rode the small bike without training wheels, he was just scared to on the bike that was his size. A few months ago Justin's little 3 wheeled bike broke, so I'm glad he learned how to ride the small bike. Now he can ride something other than his scooter!

Matt is taking Josh and Jaren to Spider-Man 3 tomorrow. He probably isn't going to take the whole day off but most of it. They (I think Matt too) are really excited to see it. I bought Josh and Jaren a new Spidey shirt at Walmart a few weeks ago and they told me they want to wear it tomorrow. :)

At the eye apt. on Wednesday he recommended that I do PRK instead of Lasik. I'll probably get a few more opinions before I decide what to do. The recovery time with PRK is around 4 days and even then your not 20/20 for close to a month. The lasik your good to go the next day.

The kids wanted to weigh themselves this morning. If our scale in right Josh and Jaren are both 50, tonight Josh was 52 and Jaren didn't feel like weighing himself again. Justin was 40! He is really tall for his age too but man I can't imagine how big he'll be when he's Josh's age. And Jessica was about 23 lbs.

The weather has been really nice this past week, about 80. Then all the sudden today was 50 and rainy...Burr! It did stop raining later today so we went around the block on our bikes. Behind us is a pond with fish and ducks so we normally take bread with us to feed the ducks. We probably go on a bike ride either around the block or to the park I'd say 4 times a week.

I'll post some pictures........as soon as I figure out how!

Year Round School

Josh & Jaren are off track for the next 3 weeks. It's like our early summer break I guess. They go back on 5/21 for 6 weeks, then the last day will be 6/29. They are growing up so fast! We are on C track this year and just found out that they will be on D track next year. So they'll have a six week break for summer instead of only 3 weeks. Which means they'll have 3 breaks through out the year, not 4 like we have had. Last year I would have told you I hated Year round, but it's really not that bad. It's kind of nice to have a break. It's not to short but not to long either. If you like to take vacations you could do it then not during the busy summer months (we haven't yet though). They have had swimming lessons while being off track. Not this time though, the classes were full by the time I got around to signing them up. Last time they had a break was awful, we took turns being sick! :(

On Friday we met one of Josh's friends at the park to play and have a picnic. Today we stayed home......we've been cleaning, playing outside in the water(It's 80 degrees today!), and trying to get Justin to poo in the toilet! He is doing great peeing. Hasn't had an accident for about 3 days. But the last time he went poo in the toilet (about a week ago) he said it hurt and hasn't gone since. He hasn't gone poo all day today because I said if he went in his underwear I'd spank his bum.

I think we'll go to the dinosaur park tomarrow. Not sure what we'll do the rest of the week yet. I have a Lasik Screening on Wednesday. Can't imagine that will be fun, but yet it would be awsome being able to see without contacts.

That's all for now, Time to make dinner, and then when Matt gets home I need to go get some groceries and summer clothes for the kids.

First Time Blogging!

A few of my friends have a blog, and it's fun to read what they are up to. Hopefully it's not to difficult for me to figure out....and keep up with it too!