Remember Who You Are

Emma's Baptism

2012-01-24T21:16:00.000-08:00

I don't feel old, but feel like I should feel old if I have a daughter who has been baptized. When did she grow up? She was baptized September 17, 2011 at Martin's Cove. One of the many awesome things about Casper is we are so near pioneer historical sites and they allow ordinances to be performed. AND they said I could take pictures up until the moment the ordinance was actually being done, which me me very happy! So here are a few pics of beautiful Emma on her baptism day.

She has such a beautiful dress that I looked long and hard for, thank you very much.

Everyone tried pulling the handcarts, of course.

Emma's cousin whom she GREATLY looks up to. Jaden wanted to be apart of the whole thing so she came to the bathroom to help with all the getting ready.

Because we had so recently moved here and it took a little bit of travel to get to Martin's Cove, I didn't figure there would be too many people lining up to come watch and I wanted Emma to feel like she had friends and support. So we took an extra car and filled it with a bunch of girls in her class. It turned out so perfectly.

I was worried that morning (not as badly as everyone else) because the sky was REALLY overcast and sprinkling/pouring off and on. I guess I figured it would be more of a pioneer experience if it was chilly and I thought that would be good for her, too. However, about 10 minutes before her service the skies cleared up and the sun came out and made everyone very happy. What a beautiful/memorable day for her and me. I thought it couldn't have been more perfect.

2012-01-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

Kitchen is done. Hallelujeh! When its totally done (and clean) I'll put up more. It is BEAUTIFUL!!!

2012-01-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

1/8/2011
So little Smiffers had his 2 month appointment last week. He is long and skinny. 10 lbs 15 oz, 23 inches long, and cute as a button.

2012-01-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

This is one of those posts I started and never finished. I've got lots of those.

Today has been one of "those" days. Jack began the demolition of the kitchen last night so everything kitchen is out in the sunroom which will be my home for the next 4-5 weeks. Anyhow, I think I honestly just woke up cranky. Nothing bad happened. I volunteer every Tuesday at my kids classes and today neither teacher had a whole lot for me to do. It was probably a blessing in disguise. I went grocery shopping instead.

I have to laugh at myself. For the first time, I went to a store to purchase "freezer" meals. I was so embarrassed and I don't know why. I have never purchased a meal that you throw in the oven and its done an hour later and vwah-la! But with my kitchen a mess that's what I'm resorting too. Now in order to not offend in a PC world, I have to say "there's nothing wrong with freezer meals" and "I have a lot of friends which do the freezer meal thing on a regular basis" (which is true) but I have not! I've taken pride, obviously if I'm writing a post about it, that i make things from scratch and they taste great! However, going through the store i felt like I needed to explain myself to the checkout lady that my kitchen is being remodeled so I have to buy these things to make it easier. One, does she care? Two, who do I think I am? I'm assuming a lot of people go this route or there wouldn't be such a market for them. Anywho...I thought that was a tad prideful and funny of me that it was such a big moment for me. On to better things.

I lost my iphone. HELLO!!! It truly is sad to say that my life is on that thing! But it is and I was so scared that I lost it! I called and called and texted from Jacks phone to the person who had it to please call my husbands phone number, but I put a security code on it so you can't get to the phone book even if you do want to be honest. CRAP! I even had the 'find my iphone app" on it, but apparently set it up under jacks ID so when I went to look for it it told me my husband was on the interstate on his way home. how helpful. After stressing for five hours a man picked up the phone and said all was well.

Farewell kitchen.

2012-01-16T14:58:00.000-08:00

Sadi turned three in June. I just wanted to get it recorded. Dora everything (she still loves Dora)

My fourth cake. I'm totally a novice, but still so proud!

However, my niece totally couldn't tell who she was. Apparently not as good as I thought!

Our surprised faces.

You can't see!

Her birthday present amongst a few other things. I love her helmet!

2012-01-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

Jack was thinking out loud last night how he hopes that we get to replay our lives when we die because he forgets so many of the cute things that our kids do that make him smile...somehow that led to "Jami, you should start blogging again." So I woke up this morning with the mild flu, meaning I need to puke but haven't yet, and since I am spending all my time in bed today I figured I might as well cause I've really wanted to, too. However, most of our pics are on our desktop so I've picked one to represent each kid. No particular order.

Sadi

Since we left California Sadi has most definitely had the roughest adjustment. She seemed out of sorts and sad for quite some time. She still asks me several times a week if we can go see Kennedy (in Cali). However, she's made some friends and is in preschool and is now so excited to be in primary at church. She took up skiing a few weeks ago and LOVES it. She laughs her head off the whole way down the mountain and Jack loves teaching her.

Jackson

This pic is from his Christmas program at school. He was so excited for weeks and sang all of his songs at the top of his lungs and made me smile. When we lived in California, we were really excited to move for Jackson's sake. He does not do well in closed quarters. He wanted freedom to go outside and explore and he is so much more content where he is now. He is so happy! We used to pretty consistently have knock down drag out fights and they are RARE now which is so great. He is also taking ski lessons this winter and he loves it. He's so dang coordinated and picks up on athletic activities so quick! I absolutely love his kindergarten teacher. I go in every Tuesday for an hour to volunteer and it is so fun to sit and watch that lady in action. She is the best! Jackson loves her and comes home and tells me secret stories that she made up (they're for reading sounds like th and sh) (nothing creepy) in class that are hilarious.

Emma

I could have chosen several pics of Em's and one I probably should have with her horse. She began taking riding lessons in October and loved it so much and actually did really well. However, after only two lessons she broke her arm at school AGAIN and I haven't put her back in. Now that the craziness of holidays are over we'll work on that. This was supposed to be one of her pictures on her baptism announcement that I never did and sent out. I'm so bad at that! However, she is such a pretty girl and I had to share. She was baptized in September at Martin's Cove which was a very cool experience! I'll TRY to post on that. Such a good girl. Hit her 4th year of violin and she is awesome! I'll put some of that on here too. Oh and she is skiing, too, but not loving it (hopefully YET) as her siblings, but we'll see. She likes it enough to keep going and that's good enough for me. I love hard workers!

Smith

This man is so his mamma's boy! He didn't crawl til 10 months and has still not taken up walking (going on 15 mo). Wouldn't be so bad but I herniated a disc in my back and should not carry him, but what else can I do? He is so talkative and loud and has to consistently be taken out of class at church because no one can hear over his comments. Guess he just loves the sound of his own voice (did that come from me or Jack? please don't answer that) He is so sweet though and loves to pass out kisses to his family.

One recent funny story: We had THE TALK with Emma in November and it was and has been great. She is so open which is just what I want, but thinks that she has a say now on what goes on behind closed doors between Jack and me. Anyway, last week we were having a discussion about Adam and Eve and the commandments they received in the Garden of Eden. One was to multiply and replenish the earth...I explained what that meant. Jackson responded with "Mom, do you think you'll have any more babies grow inside your tummy?" My response is just "I hope so." Emma's response "That would be so cool. Then Mom, you and dad could do that special hug we talked about...Jackson you'll learn about it in a few years. It is CRAZY!"

I died laughing.

2011-11-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, baby! I can't tell you how happy I am to be your mom! I love you, Smitty! Love, Mom

Live and Learn

2011-04-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

So since my last post quite a bit has happened. For those who do not know we are moving to Casper, WY in less than three weeks. It is so bittersweet. I have looked forward to this part of life (you know...the part where you're no longer in school and your husband works a normal 8-5 job) since we first got married. It's really fun because for years we have stayed up late talking about what it will be like when the time comes and now that it's here we are still staying up late and kind of in awe that we made it and it's here and we LOVE looking at new pics of our house which I am WAY excited about! But life never really slows down. It seems like I am living in chaos with boxes everywhere and bare walls and an incredibly disgusting messy house. Jack and I have a deal that he packs the boxes (I'm a crappy box packer, apparently) and I unpack the boxes which I want anyway so I put things where I want them. I imagine it will be somewhat like The Incredibles when I call him three years down the road and tell him we are officially moved in and the last box is unpacked.
So I am still in that contemplation mode that I talked about in my last post. Almost three weeks ago my cousin delivered a little baby boy at 27 weeks old. He was so perfect. They got to be with him six days before he passed. My heart ached for them and I prayed and cried and hoped that they could feel the love and support from people even far away, like myself. Jack and I decided when the little Ethan passed that I really needed to go up and support Geoffrey and Sharee (their link is on my sidebar if you're curious). My dad told Geoff I was coming and Geoff asked me to sing at his burial service with one of his friends and that was a huge honor for me. The viewing and service was so tender. It just does not look right seeing that teeny little baby in a casket. My heart broke watching my cousin and his wife carry his casket in their arms. It just seems like they shouldn't have to endure a pain like that. And yet, it is not my plan. I'm so not in charge. And while it may not have been their plan either I have to put faith where faith is needed and just say he was too good for this earth. I am a firm believer that we chose many of our trials before we came to this earth and I imagine he volunteered to be the one for his family to pass on and help from the other side. I've often thought the same thing of my little brother who has had two brain tumors and battles daily with the affects from that. I think he chose that and is protected because of that and I think he was the best one in my family that stood up and said if this is what my family needed to come unto the Savior then he would do it. They are heros.
So Geoff gave me a few days notice and I sang the song several times throughout the week, "Families Can Be Together Forever" just to make sure I could make it through without crying, but just couldn't make it happen. The morning I was scheduled to fly out I was singing the song while doing the dishes and when I finished the second verse, I kept going on to a third. Now, I am no song writer. I've never written a song. But it came out so perfectly and naturally that I stopped what I was doing and began writing. I had a third verse especially for them. Bu I was so nervous. I AM NOT A SONG WRITER and I was so scared that it would be weird. I ran it past a few family members who said it was great, but really? What else are they gonna say? Anyway, I was determined that when I got together to practice with the other guy that I would introduce it to him. But that never happened. Our schedules never worked out and in my head I was battling up until the moment that I sang. But I completely chickened out. I didn't do it and I'm so sad that I didn't follow through. One day, I will record it for them. They're pretty fantastic people. Democrats, but fantastic (I had to make fun of that cause I know they read my blog).
As the time is dwindling down, I knew we were going to be asked to speak and it came and is now gone. Jack and I were the speakers on Easter Sunday and we also sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." Then to top off an already busy week, Jack taught in Elders Quorum and I in Young Women. It was a fantastic Easter Sunday. I think because I was mentally and spiritually prepared for it. I got to think about and study talks on the Savior's resurrection and found the perfect one for me to speak on. Absolutely fantastic read: Elder Jeffrey R Holland's "None Were With Him." In fact, if you youtube "the easter message-none were with him," I guarantee you will feel better and blessed and be better for watching it. I felt so much gratitude and now have a better understanding and stronger testimony that I KNOW and am reassured yet again, that I have a Savior and Redeemer. And it is because of Him that I have a family that can be together forever. That, to me, is the most precious gift anyone could possibly ever offer because I would do anything for my family and would feel so lost if I didn't have the assurance that I will see my husband and my children again after we pass through this life. I've got one beautiful family and I'm squeezing them a little tighter each day as I'm trying to count my blessings and they are at the top.

PS do you like my new hat? Jack got it for me on his Costa Rica trip and it actually swears at me in really artsy handwriting on the bill. He had no idea which just makes it cute and funny to me.

2011-04-10T21:19:00.000-07:00

I think it has been forever since I have posted. I have a kazillion things to always say, but for some reason it sounds retarded (shocker!) when i get it down. I've been in quite the reflective mode for some time now and a few thoughts are coming out tonight.
First of all, I cannot get over how blessed I truly am. I am married to the only man who truly caught my eye, who is my best friend, and who I am always humbled with the amount of love and affection and loyalty that he has for me. I have always felt like Jack could really see who I was even past the facade that i felt like I needed to display at one point in my life. And he loves the real me. And that means a lot to a person who is very unsure of herself in so many ways.
Next, my kids are the most awesome ever. You may disagree with me because of some bias towards your own, But sorry, it's just not true. Each one of my kids is so different. I've never been a person who goes by the book (which I've for the most part thought was bogus cause I think its a crap shoot for all of us)...i'm more of a shoot from the hip kind of a gal. That being said, I am happy that the more kids that I have, I am becoming the parent that I want to be. I really am getting better at it. In fact, our next door neighbor came over today to tell me that my almost 5 year old was stuck up on the cement wall that divides our houses and that he needed help getting down. It makes me laugh. Jackson can scale our rod iron fence with his toes and pull himself up onto the roof by balancing on the toes of one foot like its no big thing. So I went to the back honestly expecting that he was stuck like our neighbor said he was, but he was leaning against the roof of their house six feet above the ground in his dark bad guy spiderman costume chewing on a piece of grass. Seriously? Where did he come from? We need trees to climb, dangit!
I think something that I truly appreciate the most is the Savior said to come unto him as a little child. Two examples in the last few days. Jack and I MAJORLY got after Emma and sent her and the other kids to bed early. I went in quite sometime later to turn off lights and she was in her bed writing us a letter telling us that she loved us. Talk about humility. She was such a good example. Yet another. We got after Jackson tonight at dinner for acting inappropriate and we were probably a little too hard. He didn't even want to eat dinner anymore and he wouldn't allow us to hug him for a while. Anyhow, after eating his dinner I told him he could have a popsicle and he broke it in half and gave it to Jack. It was so perfect. Nothing was said he just had moved on and was being perfectly sweet. I love that boy.
At church I was feeling a little sad. We have only four Sundays left before we move from Cali. There are so many reasons why I can't wait to move. We are really excited to start the part of life that we have been working toward our whole married life. However, I have made so many dear friends that it breaks my heart to leave. I love women the women in my church. The women that I have worked with in Young Women the last four years are AMAZING. They are some of my favorite people. There is always the fear when I move and leave those that mean so much to me. I think I know that there are good people everywhere, but is there going to be a friend who gets me and loves me anyway? I'm starting a prayer for that one already!

LOVE IT!!!

2011-02-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

2011-01-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

So I'm on a plane right now. My sister had a baby a few weeks ago and Jack encouraged me to take little Smith and go out for a visit. I'm really excited to see her and her family, but it is always so hard saying goodbye to mine. I love them. I just thought I'd put a cute pic of the baby sleeping in the seat next to me. He's being so good. However, I am not so smart. As soon as I got on the plane and settled in I looked down and he had a MAJOR blowout. Of course I didn't bring an extra outfit. So smart. Fortunately, he had on an outer jacket. So I did my best to clean the inside of his pants and put the jacket on. The onesie is pretty thrashed. I imagine its not too salvageable. Anyway, I just wanted my family to know I love them and let them have a little note from their mom and wife to read today.
Emma, Jackson, Sadi, and Jack, I love you so much. Be good for your dad and take care of each other. Love, Mom

2011-01-09T22:17:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how big and old my family is getting. Have you looked at those pics of Emma? She looks so old. Such a good girl. Jackson is so handsome, too, and being outside in his cowboy boots really puts him in his element. I can't wait for him to have some more freedoms when we move in a few months...only five left, by the way! YEAH!!! Little miss Sadi is always so fun. I'm pretty sure she's got to be the easiest two year old around. She has so much personality. She is so sweet and funny and she LOVES to tease. Little twirp thinks she's absolutely hilarious (which she is). She cracks me up. And Smith has finally started smiling and is cooing a lot more. Pardon the pink in the pic with him. We left his blanket in the car and Emma gave up her sweatshirt.
There's this beautiful canyon 3-4 miles away from where we live that it's a little over three mile hike to the waterfall at the top. We've taken the kids to the top once? I think. Maybe twice. You have to cross a good sized stream like 7 times and I'm usually pregnant when we attempt this for some reason. I was 7 1/2 months with Sadi the first time. Anyhow, there's plenty to see not doing the hike, too, which is what we chose to do yesterday. My kids call it the "rock park" because when we go at any other time of year there is no water. But it has rained SO MUCH over the last few weeks that we've got a decent stream. They had a blast wading in the water and "hiking" like an eighth of a mile up a trail for our picnic...a few oranges, famous amos cookies, and a nature's valley granola bar that we got to share (only the finest for the hardy family). We love going out as a family and we're always SO much happier when we do these kinds of outings. I so need to remember that.

2011-01-09T21:39:00.000-08:00

Just one more for a while. This has never gotten old to me. But I do love to watch people fall down...especially when I'm watching with Jack. We apparently really like to laugh at people. You should ask him about the time the old lady fell down at Disneyland next time you see him. It's not as mean as it sounds, but really? She was an old lady!

CONFESSION

2011-01-05T22:42:00.000-08:00

I have this one horrible, major, terrible, awful, wonderful problem..............I'm a foodie. I love it. I can't help myself. The spices, the freshness, the sweetness, mmmmmmmm. I was so happy after Smith was born because I instantly lost 22 pounds. Good night nurse I should be jumping for joy! But crappety crap crapper. I've still got 15-20 to go. But how can I cut back? Huh? Tonight, my father is in town visiting, and he mentioned something about indian food. Navajo tacos (he called them indian tacos). While I understood what he was saying, all I heard was indian food and seriously? Can you really expect my mind to be able to focus on ANYTHING after that? I had to have it. So a quick phone call, a 35 minute drive, and some hungry excited kids later I had myself some chicken tikka masala, aloo gobi, garlic naan, and water :) and I was in HEAVEN. Ate three helpings, I did. AND when Jack got home everyone decided it had been a half hour so it was time for more. All. of. us. I loved watching all of my kids get all giddy going back for seconds. SO...what can a poor girl do? Go for fourthsies. It was my only option. But the best part...there is enough to do it all again for dinner tomorrow. Thank you New Delhi Palace Cuisine of India. I love you more than you know.
Really. I do.

PS We had family pics taken last weekend and here are a few of them. Some turned out really cute. It was hard to limit myself.

HILARIOUS

2010-12-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

I'm totally on a youtube kick. So clever!

2010-12-23T15:19:00.001-08:00

http://www.godvine.com/A-Soldier-s-S...ld-See-99.html

I couldn't see that this was something I could post other than on facebook which I'm not savvy enough to do...or just don't want to. I must admit that I get pretty huffy and emotional if you talk to me about politics. For the most part, I feel like I have done my part on keeping up on what is going on in our country. If I don't know and am introduced to something, I try to study it out so I can see where I stand on the issue.
That said, and I don't know why I said that cause it really doesn't have too much to do with what I am saying, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING EACH DAY FOR MY FREEDOM. This touched my heart and made me teary so I thought I'd remind anyone willing to read to also have some gratitude. Sorry you have to cut and paste, but totally worth the watch. Merry Christmas!

2010-12-22T13:46:00.000-08:00

I can't find my camera anywhere so I'm having to take pics in front of the computer. He's growing so much and is such a handsome little guy. Still hasn't given us a reactive smile yet. He smiles in his sleep and staring off into space, but he doesn't think I'm that funny yet. He just hasn't warmed up to my humor, I'm sure. Smitty is such a good baby. Sleeps, eats, poops, all fantastic and is so patient with the kids. We're still loving on him as much as we can.

WOW!!!

2010-12-14T10:32:00.000-08:00

vid for the grandparents...

2010-12-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

2010-12-07T20:28:00.000-08:00

This was yesterday on his one month birthday. Poor fella has a mom who thinks his cry is so cute that I'll let him starve while I find my camera so I get it on tape. Love that cry. It's so cute!

Just Because

2010-12-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

These are "just because" pics cause I think they are so cute.

Minding my own business.

2010-12-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

I was sitting on the couch talking to my father on the phone when this happened.

I didn't know if someone threw a rock at me or what freakish thing happened. Dad was all worried for the two minutes it took to figure out what happened. Our gardeners were mowing and I think they must have just hit a rock that went flying. It's looks like a small enough hole, but there was glass everywhere. Fortunately, I'm in good with some of our greatest friends out here who's husband is a contractor who dropped some morning plans to come fix my window. I love good friends.

Jackson's Parade

2010-12-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

He was so excited to see that his dad was able to make it just in time to the parade. I love that dad is always a special treat to be there. And Jack is always so good at being there for pretty much everything that's even a little important to each of our kids. He's a good dad.

I felt bad at one point because there is another kid in Jackson's class that shares the same name. He tends to single out kids on different days to be "unkind" and this day he chose Jackson. He was also wearing a spiderman costume and would walk up to Jackson and whisper "my spiderman is better that yours" or "you're stupid" or "you're a bad guy" in his ear. I saw (and heard) a couple of these whisperings as did his teacher who tried to put a stop to it, but it temporarily put a damper on Jackson's mood.

Muscle man.

I love his GQ look here. This is his best friend, Luke. He's is such a dang cute boy. We love him and his family (his mommy is my friend). Their teacher says she gets them confused because they look so much alike.

Jackson's teacher is the clown. She's not the cuddly, light talking voice a lot of preschool teachers are. She's very firm and says it how it is...even to the kids. It's good for Jackson. He's learned to respect and like her. All the mom's who have had kids in this class just rave about her.

2010-12-05T11:41:00.000-08:00

Emma's school does a Halloween parade during school before the class party. I have enjoyed going the past two years to watch the whole school and the excitement and anticipation in Emma as she is with her peers.

Class photo. Emma is so funny. She is such a great sister. Every time we come to visit she is so excited to show off her little brothers and sister. I love that she pulled Sadi into her class pic.

Just a cute pic. I love that her teacher is Papa Smurf. When I talked to him he said he was so excited for the smurf movie to come out next year. My kids will know the Smurfs! HOORAY!

The bonus of having a Halloween week...lots of different costumes if desired.

Showin off her sister again.

Her friend, Paige. Not a planned match.

And again. (This was during the class picture.)

I was so glad that I happened to be there helping with the class party. I was going to go home after, but stayed chatting with friends when the kids went to a Spirit Assembly. Fortunately, I WAS there because Emma was given a Spirit Award. Each month the teachers pick students. Her teacher told me he gave it to Emma because they were painting in class a few days earlier and the boy next to Emma dumped water all over her painting and she didn't get upset at all. He got her new supplies to start over and a few minutes later the same boy dumped his water on her painting. Once again, he got her new supplies to start over. A third time, he dumped his water...apparently every time by accident. But he said Emma was gracious and calm every time and said it was "no big deal." She's a good girl

Church Trunk or Treat

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

A family pic before the food came and the kids took off for the next two hours.

Just thought a tight belly shot might make some of you not want to eat today. Good for dieting.

Emma's two best friends in the ward. They had so much fun trunk or treating. I didn't see that girl the entire party; she was having so much being with them. It's crazy they are so grown up.

Jackson dressing up as a mummy. He loved ripping off all the toilet paper when it was all done.

Sadi loves this girl. And such a cute pic.

2010-12-05T11:07:00.000-08:00

I can't believe Smitty will be one month tomorrow. It is so sad how fast the first months (and years) fly by. I'll post better pics this week after his appointment, but I just have to say there is a reason I have not taken the time to post his story and more pics. We've just been loving on him and kissing on him as much as we can. Poor and lucky little guy. Sadi has no body control so if she gives him a hug she pretty much just lays on him with all her weight and he whines. He's VERY patient. So perfect for us.

He's Here!

2010-11-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

Smith Nathaniel Hardy
Born Saturday, November 6, 2010.
6:29 am
6 lbs. 15 oz.
19 in.

Seven days or LESS!!!

2010-11-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Three more weeks!

2010-10-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

You may be tired of seeing pics of my belly, but they're not for you, dangit. And only two more after this! YEAH!!!

2010-10-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

Three more days. Just three. Then I want to sleep for three days. This will not be the most uplifting post, I am sure. I'm just tired. Truth is, my kids have been fantastic the past week while Jack has been out of town. Hardly any fighting, and really sweet and good to me, but we are all feeling the emptiness of not having dad around for this long. How do service men and women do this? Or just women who are married to traveling salesmen? Heavenly Father must really have known my limits when he hooked me up with my love because I don't function well alone.
I began contracting on Sunday night (at random, no regularities) and got the runs and had them up until I went to the doctor this morning and of course they hooked me up to the monitor and the whole time I was there I had nothing. Of course. I've had nothing since either. Not that I'm complaining. I actually got teary on my way to the doctor recognizing I'd be pretty scared doing the C-Section on my own. So I am grateful I'm not progressing, but it's just funny to me that all it takes to stop contractions is to hook yourself up to a machine. It was a very fun preview for me. I don't get the belly bands around me since I am a c-sectioner, but I have had them and it's so fun to hear his heartbeat. I got for a whole 30 minutes today. So cute. And Sadi was patient and adorable as could be sitting with me that long. She's a good girl.
We did get her results back and no fractures or anything. All is well. Phew! And I think I mentioned a couple months back how she potty trained herself. Through the night and everything. It is so impressive to me. Emma was 4 1/2 before she woke up to pee and Jackson still hasn't conquered that one. He's actually funny cause he's such a deep sleeper. We'll get him up to pee before we go to bed and stand him up at the toilet and he still has not let anything go cause he's totally asleep the whole time. I try to splash water on his hands and face to wake him up. I told him that we were trying really hard to get him to wake up and he told me to punch him. He promised he would not be mad at me if i hit him to wake him up. Funny boy.

I just think this is a cute pic.

2010-10-15T21:41:00.001-07:00

Us at the Lion King in Chicago two weeks ago.

One day down, only seven to go! Jack left this morning at 6:30 so it felt like just a normal day of him going to work. We all hugged, said goodbye daddy, but actually didn't wave as he drove away because the kids were starving and couldn't wait for food. During breakfast I got a little choked up and was trying to keep my emotions in check (I always cry when Jack has to leave. It doesn't happen very often). Anyhow, Emma looks up and asks why my face is turning red, and I lose it just a little bit. She's says "You're missing daddy, huh." So then Jackson hands me his pillow that is carried with him every morning and says he'll help me feel better and runs into the front room to bring me a pic of Jack and I when we were dating. Sadi joins in and asks every minute for the next fifteen "Mom, why are you sad?" to which I respond "cause I miss daddy." "Oh." is all she responds every time.

Good things came with today. I chose to let it be a TV day. Well, movie cause we don't have TV. Anyhow I let Jackson and Sadi watch the 1966 version of Batman cause they love it (thank you watch instant on Netflix) and I cleaned the entire house. It is clean HOORAY!!! Lilian came over for lunch because I made indian food last night....mmmmmmmmmmm....It is just so lovely. And we put the kids in front of another movie cause I had Premonition and she had never seen it. Then, when Emma got home, we went shopping and decided we were going to have a PJ party and watch a movie so they chose Felicity cause Emma is big into horses and the American girl books. She thinks she is going to ride her horse (that she doesn't have) to school everyday in Wyoming. She must have like a Little House on the Prairie type setting in her brain. Anyway, I kept Sadi from taking a nap today so she would go down early and forgot that I did that. So when the movie was done at 9:15, fifteen minutes short of two hours past bedtime, she and Jackson were a wreck and I paid the next 15 minutes for allowing them to stay up/ I couldn't help but just giggle the whole time they are bawling cause they were just so tired. Jackson kept telling me a rat bit his finger and it hurt. At one point during the movie, the rat bit his bumb and his leg hurt and he couldn't figure out why.

While Jack and I were in Chicago last week a rat drowned in our swimming pool. Ewwwww...grandma said she made them wait another day before they could swim. I knew we had rats in our garage. We know of 5 (FIVE!!!) (RATS!!! EWWWWW!!!!!!!) But how in the world did one fall in the pool and drown?

Anyhow, it's the weekend. I'm excited to go to bed cause I know my 7 yr old is gonna come in at 6 am and ask me to play family with her. I told her tonight it's my day off and we got a few chapter books on CD for her to read along with in the morning. Her reading improved DRAMATICALLY when we started doing that this summer and it's been fabulous for her!

I recognize I have really babbled this post. Just thought it would make all feel better if you knew that I knew.

Four Weeks from today....

2010-10-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

So I swear when I look at myself in a mirror, I am bigger than what the pictures say. But I'm not that big this time around which is unfortuntely and vainly enough, really good for how I'm feeling about myself. Isn't that horrible?

I had to take Sadi to get some X-rays tonight. A little over a month ago Emma was sitting in the front seat of our van and was pushing the button to lay the seat down not even thinking about Sadi being in the carseat behind her. Then out of nowhere Sadi starts screaming in pain and I realized the bar on the back of the front seat was crushing her legs. She cried a real cry for quite a while. She had a small bruise on both legs for a few days and limped around for a few days. When I took her to the doctor (I couldn't get in to the one I love) she told me she didn't think there was anything to worry about. I took Sadi back in on Tuesday. She doesn't limp anymore, but if she runs around for more than 30 minutes she does a little limp and is really guarding her leg. So today she got both femurs and hips looked at and she was so brave. They wouldn't let me in being pregnant which I thought was lame cause he's pretty much full term now...not a lot of harm could be done, I wouldn't think. But she was brave as can be. I should find out results this afternoon.

Jack leaves tomorrow for Louisiana for 8 days. It could be really LONG 8 days. I don't bend over so easily anymore and I'm tired enough that I really have to watch my patience level. The kids haven't watched a whole lot of TV since school started, but I imagine that will change a little this week and continue after the baby is born for a while. We'll see. I always feel like a loser mom if I know they've been glued to the tube that day.

2010-10-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

I actually have tons to post, but throwing up a pic is just the fastest. Less than five weeks to go. I'm ready to breathe again.

2010-09-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Emma coming out of the slide. You'll have to biggie size the pic to see much. You can see Jackson playing in the fountain and the top of the slide above Jackson head in between the trees.

My birthday was this weekend and my husband never fails to impress me with the effort he puts into my special day. Unfortunately, I only have this one picture because my camera ran out of batteries as soon as I took it. We went the parents of some friends of ours that have been so good to us. We went to Mammoth with them last year and stayed in their condo for the weekend and have gone to this house a couple times. I've decided I don't like being the friend with not a whole lot to offer in return. I wish we had a boat or something to take them out wakeboarding. Anyhow, we had so much fun with them and the kids always love to go swim in their pool and hot tub and go down the slide, which is surprisingly very fast. That backyard is beautiful and just fun to sit and feel like you're surrounded by a small paradise. They provided the kabobs and Jack made two apple pies and ice cream for dessert. I love how domestic Jack is. He put so much effort into these pies doing criss cross tops with his own cut outs of an apple to put on top. I agree that presentation is at least half the battle, but he is awesome!
After we left, he set up a date at argentinian restaurant and holy smokes! It was so good! Jack got this pasta called sorrentinos that was homemade potato-ravioli stuffed with ham, cheese, and asparagus and covered in a pink cream sauce with sauteed mushrooms mixed in. It was HEAVENLY!!! I haven't stopped thinking about it. Must have again. During dinner, I got the phone call my mom was back in the hospital (she went in on Thursday with appendicitis) with pneumonia. Poor mommy. I felt bad. I wish I was closer to help.
After dinner He took me shopping for some maternity clothes for these last two months. We're going to Chicago in a few weeks for an oral surgery conference (I get to see Lion King! YEAH!!!!) and he knows I wanted to feel cute with him on our hot weekend together so we got a couple new maternity things. So nice!
Anyway, I just wanted to document it and remember how he is so good to me! Especially on days when I'm being selfish and cranky and forget (not that I EVER get that way). He's so awesome! And his pies were killer good, too! I love you, Jack! Thanks for making my birthdays so special!

First Day of School

2010-08-31T11:27:00.001-07:00

I am sitting at home at 11:45 AM in dead silence. Jackson's first day of school is today; Emma's was last week. Sadi is down for her nap. I can't help but have this giddy feeling wondering if I will have this opportunity every once in a while this year. Last week before school started, I was so sad the two days before and just cried. Emma was so excited and I was really excited for her, I just feel like time is slipping by so quickly. I have run into mothers here and there who respond that they are so excited and READY for school to start. While I understand the anticipation of being back on a schedule, I already miss my little ones. I still can't figure out a lot of things on our computer. I'm way too used to a PC and it's almost been a year. So while I understand now how blogger works, the pictures came out of order and it's too much trouble to me to fix them. So in no particular order. The first day of school!

Okay, so Sadi is not going to school, but she's so cute and there is much to say. She turned two a couple of months ago and I still have blogged about that day (BAD mommy!) When Jackson was younger I said I would not potty train him until he potty trained himself because I get WAY too emotional and it is not good for my parenting. So a few months before Jackson turned three he began figuring it out and although there were still accidents, he did it on his own. I have (or had) no intentions of potty training Sadi before this baby came because I figured she would revert back to diapers when the baby was born and then I would probably wait six months until my sanity returned some so she'd be pretty close to three when we worked on it.
She quit wearing diapers a few weeks ago and put on little panties and has had two accidents (one in a pool #2. Not pleasant). She was never scared of pooping or peeing on the toilet, though, so we have been so impressed. I still put a diaper on her for bed, but she wakes up dry every morning (at 6) yelling to me that she needs to go potty. It is very impressive to both her dad and me.

We also moved her to a big girl bed two weeks ago that she shares with her older sister now. We tried it for the week before school started, but Sadi is such a talker that she wouldn't shut her trap and let her siblings sleep and they were starting to get angry so for now she falls asleep in the big bed alone while Emma and Jackson fall asleep in mom and dad's bed and we just move them when we hit the sack. I'm starting to get little man Hardy's room ready and I'm just getting so excited! I love, love, LOVE watching my stomach move and pushing in on it while he pushes back. While I hope this is not my last pregnancy, if it is, I am going to miss this so much. I love being a mom and having this connection with my babies.

So this is Emma at her desk the first day. She didn't even care to say good bye to me as I walked out the classroom door. She comes home everyday and tells me how many recesses she had that day INCLUDING P.F. (according to her. The rest of us know it as P.E.) I've heard about books they have been reading and that they work HARD all day and do so much math. Her teacher this year is a MR. so that is fun and his favorite subject is math, apparently. They're doing something new this year and are doing some split level classes. Emma was put in a 1st and 2nd grade split class. I'm a little apprehensive about it, but her reading has improved DRAMATICALLY this summer and I know she's up for the task. It's so fun to hear her read scriptures because she reads so smoothly and does so well on most words.

She got this skirt and two others from a friend who has to wear uniforms and Emma loves them and this was the outfit she chose for the first day of school. today she totally looks like she should be at a dress code school. She's so cute!

Jackson is going to a new preschool this year and I am very excited about it! While I agree that preschool should be more about social stuff and not a whole lot of academic, i do think there should be some academic (my personal opinion). Otherwise I'm just putting him into daycare. Anyhow, he got into the school that I wanted with his best friend from church and they got the teacher that I wanted who I understand is FANTASTIC! My friend Shannon put all of her kids (her fourth is also in this class) through this teacher and said they come out knowing how to write their name, address, phone #, and know all the ABC's by sight and sound, and the numbers 1-30. Sounds good to me. I did homework with Jackson and Emma throughout the summer and Jackson loved it, but he had a really hard time with the writing part. He got so much better by the end of the summer doing shapes, but letters mean nothing to him. He recognizes the letter A. I think that's it.

This is his classroom. True to his genes, like his sibling, there were no tears, just a "bye Mom!" and off to play. He did, however, make sure as we were getting out of the car in the parking lot to let me know that he would always be my son and I would always be his mom. Sweet boy.

He is such a handsome little sucker.

These kids have some intense strings attached to my heart. I feel like these moments right now are so precious. I get to pick Jackson up in 25 minutes and can't wait to see his little face light up. As a parent, if you have not seen this ad on parenting, go to www.lds.org and watch the video called PARENTING. It makes me tear up everytime.

2010-08-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

And me in my glory today. I think 25-26-ish weeks. I'm not sure. It is almost noon and I took a bath and got back into my pjs. We got home from Idaho last night after being gone for two weeks.
Within a half hour of walking in the door last night I started to feel queasy and then the runs and puking began (I get it, too much information). However, that being said I was in the bathroom every 10-15 minutes like clockwork last night. Finally at 4 am, I took a bath and fell asleep in the tub until 4:30, got out and puked one last time and was finally able to go to bed until just before 7 am when the kids woke me up. Those are the hard times being a mom. When you're sick, haven't had much sleep, and you're expected to perform your motherly duties...and yet apparently I have enough energy to sit here and blog.
I was reading to Emma this morning and my little baby was just kicking like crazy. Emma has tried several times to feel this baby with no luck, but she felt him three times this morning while I was reading. It was so fun. I love that she gets to be such a bigger part of this as she gets older. It will be so fun!

2010-08-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

These were from July 20th.

2010-08-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

I figured I had better post a few prego pics for posterity's sake. I have actually done okay taking pics of myself this time around. These were from June 12, 2010. If I could remember right now how far along I am then I would do the math, but I don't remember is the truth. My due date is November 18th, but I like to take 10 days off of that since I will have the baby taken on November 8th. It makes me feel farther along and that is happy!

2010-07-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

I should start out by apologizing for my serious lack of pictures. I made my husband by me a $700 camera/camcorder because the movie picture is FANTASTIC! However, it's not that easy to use. I still don't get it. It supposedly has a great point and shoot, also, but mine only turn out blurry and I can't figure out why mine are so bad. And our Canon Rebel battery takes a handful (maybe 20 on a good day) pics before it dies so it's time to get a new battery for that one, too.

So I've just really been enjoying my summer with my kids. As I was driving to an appointment this morning, I heard a commercial on the radio that said something about getting those kids back in school cause enough summer already. I don't know...for some reason I don't like that those are the ads put out now. It's about how kids are pain to have around and just make everything harder and the smaller family, the better, and so on and so forth. I actually saw on TIME magazine today as I was standing in line at the grocery store that the front page was on how the myth of only child syndrome (spoiled, bossy, bratty) is only a myth and it actually has advantages I was just irritated by the whole thing. While I agree that it is a myth (I happen to think the kid is going to be bratty and spoiled and bossy if the parents teach and allow that behavior...call me crazy) why are we having to point out that maybe one is the way to go? Then the world wouldn't be overly populated and parents would be able to afford more for their kid because there's more money to go around, and blah, blah, blah. I'm just babbling and I got MAJORLY off track of what I actually wanted to say and I recognize that, but I enjoy being a mom. So I turned the radio off and said out loud to my kids "I don't want you to go back to school. I like having you home with me." To which Emma replies that she, too, likes being home with me the best.
I love being a mom. It's the hardest, emotionally challenging, rewarding job in the world. I got go see a two day old baby yesterday cause my friend, Brooke, had her first boy after three girls. It was so fun to hold and kiss and love that little man. I was so excited leaving the hospital and thinking my due date couldn't come soon enough. I am SO EXCITED this time around. I think I have actually gotten more so with each pregnancy. Emma is crazy growing up. She is so tall that she is actually in a size 10 now and only almost 7 years old. She is such a mom at heart. She always talks about how she only wants to be a mom like me when she grows up. and she loved seeing that baby yesterday. She is trying so hard to feel my baby move, but his movements, although getting much stronger to me, are still just flutters to her and she doesn't recognize them for what they are. It will be so fun to welcome another man to our family. Jackson is excited to have even numbers. It's not fair that we have had more girls than boys for two years. He is sure growing up himself. His parents are, too. There are distinct differences between our girls and boy. Our girls are so dramatic and he's just tough. The problem is is that we are barely starting to recognize the taunting that he puts up with before he finally gives in and swats someone and then our girl(s) will start to cry and Jackson gets in trouble. Period. And he never tells his side of the story to stick up for himself. He just lets them tell on him and he takes a punishment. So now that we are paying more attention I have seen how impressive he is. He's working so hard to not hit and being very patient with a sister who is not working as hard to not taunt. He is a tough little stubborn sucker. I love that boy.
Sadi is still a delight. Although she most definitely hit two the past few months, it has mostly been fun and funny to watch her throw her fits and try to get a reaction. It's fun to just sit and watch and then say "are you done now?" and she'll just say yes and calm down and all is well again. It cracks me up. She follows those older siblings most loyally and does her best to climb and jump and say and laugh and sing and act just like they do. It's so fun watching these three when they are just playing so well and having fun together.
This past weekend we came across this horse at a yard sale for $5. Emma has a bit of an obsession with horses right now and this one was furry and soft and big and strong enough to hold her and the others. I told her I did NOT want it and I didn't want to buy it for her. So we made the deal that she would earn it. That was among the best $5 I've spent. I had almost 200 cans of canned goods in the back of the van and she was given a box and the assignment to take as many trips necessary and put them all away in the pantry (I use pantry VERY loosely. I use the shelves/cupboards in the bookshelf in the front room). That girl had to have taken 25 trips and it took her over an hour. I then told her she had to clean the playroom, which is also no small feat, and of course, make sure her room was clean before she earned this horse. I'm sure that was more work than $5 is worth, but I was trying to drive it home that we work for our toys and then take care of them. She did great and worked all day and I didn't have to remind her to keep working like normal. She wanted that horse so it was a day well spent.
I so off to bed. ALthough the next thing I'm going to say will make it sound like I have no reason to be, I AM!!! I spoiled myself today and got cleaning ladies to come over and scour my house!!! But I had to do the prep work like getting all the crap on the floor put away. Which is a three day job in itself. So I have folded and put away A LOT of laundry the past few days and the ladies cleaned today and my house smells and looks lovely!!! Yeah for me! Anywho, off to bed!

MONUMENTAL DAY!

2010-07-09T22:35:00.002-07:00

or at least a day to post about. TWO THINGS. First, is that my cousin was doing my hair this morning and found my first gray hair. I did pull it out and and put it on a piece of paper with tape to keep, although I have no idea where I am going to put it. It's pretty important to keep it, though, right? TWO, and more importantly, Sadi was running around tonight without a diaper and told me she had to pee so we put her on the potty and she let it go! We were so proud! I love when they potty train themselves although I'm not counting on this one time meaning that she is potty training herself.

PS

2010-07-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

I found out a while ago that I'm having a boy! Just haven't posted it yet!

Goodbye little Jed!

2010-06-19T10:57:00.001-07:00

I'm a terrible, horrible, no good, very BAD dog owner. When I chose Jed as our little dog, I instantly knew I had chosen a dang good dog, but still, apparently he was a dog. I didn't like that he shed (even though i was told chihuahua's didnt shed. it's not true), I didn't like the smells, and I didn't like that he was yet ANOTHER someone that needed my attentions! So I quickly began to despise the little one...and take my frustrations out on the little five pound guy. He so didn't deserve it.
SO without sharing the story that broke the camel's back (because I'm sure you would think I was HORRIBLE) I am just sharing that we said goodbye to him over Memorial Day.
My brother, and a few others, had told me that if I ever wanted to get rid of him that they wanted him and it worked out pretty perfectly for everyone involved. My brother lives alone and needed a companion and Jed is so easy and already house-trained. My kids were most definitely sad to see him go. Especially Emma. He was really her friend more than any of us. But it worked out awesome that we will still get to visit him whenever we go to grandma's house in Idaho. And I know I will like him so much more when I see him and be excited to see him, but he really was so great, I just wasn't up to the task.
In the end, I knew that I wasn't good to him and I would be held accountable for the way I treated him. hopefully, giving him up will be a bonus by then! Anyway, just let I'd fill ya in!

2010-06-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday I was supposed to find out the gender of our little one. I tend to call him our "little guy." However, while I DO want a little brother for Jackson and worry how many more kids i will be able to carry (I have one sorry uterus), I really don't care which I get to have. A little sister for Sadi would be just as fun. I'm sure they would have a blast being best friends and Jackson will do fabulous being the protector of his sisters. And I have no doubt he will bask in the limelight of his fathers attention when it comes to teaching him all the manly tool and carpentry stuff where his sisters probably won't get that much.
Now I'm talking like we're having a girl. I have no inkling what we are welcoming. OH! So a half hour before my appointment the office called to cancel cause my OB is out of town. So I have to wait til Monday. Bummer...
AND if his/her legs are crossed that would bumb me out a little bit, too. It took us three tries with Sadi, the little sucker. However, I'll let ya know!

2010-06-08T10:12:00.001-07:00

So Jackson's birthday was almost a month ago! Our little man turned 4 and he is just my sweet little boy! I wanted to put up some pictures from his birthday party. It was small. We only invited four other boys. I admit, I am so intimidated by lots of kids and having to entertain and do games and be in charge. Which is kind of retarded because I got my degree in recreation therapy. Seriously. I just played games and analyzed through college. It was awesome! And I can put an awesome evening of random games together for adults, but kids scare me. SO. We held it at a park and had a fabulous lunch full of lovely gourmet (cough, cough) food. AND I decorated my first cake! It was so fun!
Jackson chose a pirate theme and really the only activities I did was a pinata of a pirate flag (failed to get a pic of that one) and eating and the rest they played on the toys at the park. It was lovely! So in no particular order:

I'd love to put names in here, but since they are not my kids...these are his closest friends from school.

Classic Jackson shot. Picking his nose.

My little stud! Handsome little fella!

Isn't it cute? Not professional, but COME ON! It was my first!

Jackson, I can't begin to tell you how much you mean to me. When I was pregnant with you, I was so scared to be the mother of a little boy. I fell in love the moment I saw you and smelled you and kissed you and fed you and saw you smile and heard your cry and got up in the night with you to spend hours on end being together. You have made your entire family laugh every day from the moment your little personality began to shine. You are my funny man, my miracle, my big helper (because you are always willing to help), my heart melter, my reading buddy, my star wars and indiana jones and spiderman playmate, my friend. Every morning and throughout the day you put a smile on my face listening to you care for your little Sadi. Man, that little sister loves you! You have made it so fun to be your mom. I love your cuddles and kisses and desire to be good. You're the best, son. Love, Mom

2010-06-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

Its interesting to me how small things can bring you back to moments in life so quickly and you experience deja vu. I had one of those moments that quickly turned into a little post traumatic stress and I was a wreck for a good half hour until I gained some control of myself. There is an LDS woman that has two kids that follow Emma's violin practice. She has to bring all four of her kids, two of which are Sadi and Jackson's age. I've spoken with her a few times and just last week we asked each others names.
So yesterday as I was leaving Emma's violin practice to go home I walked out to see her three kids still in her vehicle watching a movie. I freaked out. It was over 85 degrees outside and the windows were rolled up. She had an 8 year old in the car with her two babies so I'm sure he could've opened up windows or doors if it got too hot. But what if he didn't? Or he lasted longer than the other two or just fell asleep in the heat? I quickly jumped in their car and just told them I was going to roll their windows down so they didn't get too hot. It didn't scare them. I think they were too enthralled in the movie. I walked across the street to my home and went in my room and. broke. down. Was it any of my business? Was rolling the windows down good enough? It was for a half hour and now it was taken care of. But I HAD TO SAY SOMETHING!!! Would you have crossed that boundary? I barely knew her. However, i got up the courage and wiped my eyes and walked back across the street to pull her out of the violin lessons. I'm sure I made her feel like a terrible mother. Of course that was not my intention. I shared a brief story with her and let her know that I rolled the windows down. She did what a mother caught off guard would do and ran out to check on her kids who were fine and told me she intended to leave the air on in the car, but must have turned the key too far to turn it off. What should I have done? Should I have left it at rolling down the windows and called it good?

I like Bush, although i was Disappointed In the End...

2010-06-02T10:37:00.001-07:00

I had to change my title because my friend Nicole got me thinking. I Was and AM a GWB fan. I didn't agree with everything he did. However, I thought he did his best. I thought he took his job VERY seriously and didn't mock the people of his country (not to mention any names). I appreciated that he really was a church going man and didn't have to have pics taken and splattered all over just to prove he was a church man. He honestly answered questions as they were asked (without a teleprompter) and didn't pretend to be more than he is...a man. I've got a lot to say on politics, so I won't get started, but ENJOY!!!

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how he inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan's holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia , would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current in their income taxes, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to "Cinco de Cuatro" in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?

If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word "advice" would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoe as proof of what a dunce he is?

If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a hypocrite?

If George W. Bush's administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what happened on 9-11?

If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans , would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

If George W. Bush had created the position 32 or more Czars who report directly to him, bypassing the House and Senate on much of what is happening in America , would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

If George W Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had spent more than all the Presidents combined since George Washington, would you have approved?

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 17 months -- so you'll have 2 years and 7 months to come up with an answer.

2010-05-25T21:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend we were outside eating dinner when Jackson began the potty dance around the table (poopy potty dance, not pee-pee). We told him to run in and hurry before there was an accident so he ran in and ran back out "Mom! Dad! there's a lizard in the bathroom!" I didn't believe him, but followed Jack in and honestly thought when I saw them looking into the toilet that he pooped something the shape of a lizard. That little sucker was thrilled sitting in someone's urine and did not move. How did he get in there? I thought he was dead so I poked him and then had to figure out how to fish him out. I didn't scream once. I was so proud! I released him into the wild (my front yard bushes) and texted pictures to my family and some of my young women. Don't you think that story needed to be shared?

2010-05-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Does anyone have much experience with dogs? I can honestly say after 1 1/2 years of having one that I am NOT a dog kind of a gal. I should also say that more than not a dog, I am not a cat person. Our dog is a very obedient dog. He's terrified of me. He totally knows I do not like him. If I even walk in a room his tail goes between his legs and he goes to a different room. Apparently I've told him to leave a couple of times.
So we have a back door, a front door, and a side door, which is what we use the most. Outside of that door is that diaper garbage can. There is a get between the side door and the backyard. So in the mornings when my kids want to go outside and the back door is still chained up, they go out the side door and gate to get to the back. The gate gets left open and our dog inevitably goes and gets a diaper and chews through til he gets the poop and EATS IT ALL!!! I am horrified and dying because of course my kids let him lick them and I am DONE!!! Do I have any options here? I am not changing the diaper garbage. I'd rather pitch the dog. Is this normal? If it is...I'm just reiterating I am NOT a dog person!
PS he also throws up from eating the crap so I get to clean that up too. Is anyone else becoming nauseated reading this like I am writing it?

these are so just ramblings...might not want to read. really.

2010-05-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

Jack and Emma left for a recital at a nursing home. Jackson is not feeling up to snuff and has a small fever and fell asleep outside in the swing, and Sadi fell asleep in the car an hour ago. it's just me.
I'm starting to show. A little earlier than usual, but I am getting excited. Not so much for the maternity clothes as much as for the little baby who will come to us. I waited all day Wednesday (well to like 2:00) to get a call or text from my friend, Jani, and as soon as I heard my text sound on my phone go off, I knew she must be here! It's so fun having that feeling that someone just had a baby. Those are the happiest moments. I'm on number four and the truth is is that while I recognize there is a lot of work involved, four just doesn't seem like that many. Either I must be a little off in the head since I was one of six or I am totally Mormon or both! :) I love my little family.
A couple of times a year, Jack and I get to dress up and go to these posh restaurants where the medical equipment reps pay for this evening out. LAst night was one of those nights because it was graduation. First, it is SO AWESOME that we are officially one year away from our own graduation. Two, while I have been to some incredible restaurants the past three years, last night was not one of them. Which really is such a bummer because I was looking forward to fantastic food for several weeks prior. I had even gone to the website to stare down their menu and decide exactly everything I was going to get from drinks to appetizers to desserts. I don't mess around. But the guys in charge of this dinner thought it would be a good idea to schedule from 8-11 instead of 5-8. I didn't even get my entree until 9:30 pm. And stuffing myself silly at night just doesn't make me feel good, nor does it taste good. That had to be a factor. I don't know, though. It really just wasn't good. However, on the appetizer, there was some fried ahi that I did like and that is a BIG deal for me because I do NOT like seafood. Oooohhhh!
I have actually become friends with one of the reps wife and Jack really gets along with this specific rep, too, so it's fun to meet up with her twice a year. If we lived closer, i am sure we would be friends. She is just great. Talking to her was one of my highlights of the night.
Another thing...when I am pregnant I have terrible dreams. A few weeks ago I dreamed that for some reason my dog was sick and I thought that putting him in the microwave would fix him and I remember panicking and stopping the microwave early because his feet were melting and he was in SO MUCH PAIN!!! In my pshycho dream I felt awful! So much that I still felt awful when I woke up and relived the memory. Last night I had another. Not physically horrible, but I was distraught when I woke up. Jack and I weren't married yet, but I thought were serious and getting ready to be engaged. We went to his family reunion and while there he tells me he is going to take a few girls out on dates while we are there. Of course it hurt, but what can you do? So he got home from his first date and I asked how it was. It was alright. He kissed her. that was no big deal, apparently. I asked if he planned on kissing al the girls that he took out and when he said yes, I told him that maybe we should wait to kiss until he decided if he wanted to stay with me or not. That was no big deal to him. okay. (I know I could totally spare the details, but so traumatic for me. really.) In the end, the girl that he took on the first date was also at this family reunion so I felt like I had this competition with this girl in my dreams for my man and I did not wake up happy. I went on a search for Jack and told him he needed to hug me. I then went and made him turkey sausages, a homemade breakfast croissant sandwich, and a bunch of chocolate covered strawberries. He got lots of big hugs and kisses, too. I told him I felt like I had to make him happy cause I was competing with a girl in my dream. Of course he thought this treatment was great. So apparently, I need to treat my man more like a king. He treats me pretty darn good so I could step it up a notch.
Weird post, I know. Sorry if you think I'm crazy.

2010-05-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

What do you think of my hair? Lilian three barreled it for me. i like it.

I have a mothers day part 2. Jack came home from work early to send me to the spa with my friend, Lilian. It was so relaxing and so fun and I savored the 4+ hours I was there. Because I am pregnant I cannot use the Jacuzzi so they gave me a milk bath instead with cucumbers and washcloths for my eyes and fresh fruit to snack on while I bathed. It was AWESOME!!! I always wondered if I would be a girl who loved to be spoiled if i ever had the chance, but I can say yes. Most definitely. Without a doubt. It is so rejuvenating and happy. Thank you, Jack. I needed that!

2010-05-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

I've got a great husband and great kids. I didn't know I was capable of sleeping in anymore. I naturally wake up at 6:30 (which IS sleeping in for some...my husband). But this morning I didn't wake up until almost 8:00. It did feel good, other than my back hurting from sciatica (already. blah!) and an almost two year old snuggling me so hard I was on the edge of the bed. But I got breakfast in bed. A veggie omelette, toast, and seven chocolate covered strawberries. Mmmmmm... It was delightful.

After my breakfast I was led into the bathroom where a lovely bubble bath had been drawn with candles all lit and I got to enjoy myself while my dear husband got my three children ready for church. AND we were only ten minutes late for church, which I didn't think was too bad since I got to relax and be spoiled while he got everyone else ready. it made for a lovely morning. Thank you Jack, for making it a lovely day. i know how much hard work it is. I love you.

I just had to throw this picture in because this dog is so patient with my kids who dress him up and drag him everywhere and little Sadi carries him around by his neck out of pure love, but he just endures VERY patiently.

2010-04-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

So on Tuesday I got to see my baby! Yeah!!! AND I'm further along than I thought (by two weeks). But when you consider that the baby has to be taken almost two weeks early, that puts me almost a month ahead! Whoo-hoo! When my OB put in the ultrasound, it startled the baby and he totally jumped and flailed his arms. It was awesome! So fun to see and be real.

2010-04-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

Almost two years ago I was introduced to Stephanie Waite's blog when she lost her little girl to drowning. I did read some of the Nie Nie blog which I understand a lot of people have followed, and I have also read the Stakers exposed blog and Natalie Norton's story of her baby who died from pertussis. (if you have no idea who I am talking about then go find out who I am a follower of and read it yourself) Jack used to laugh at me a little and didn't understand why I would follow these people whom I have never met and cry and get emotional when i read or even talk to him about them. He thought it would make me depressed. But here's the truth. THREE truths, actually, that I have discovered from reading these: first, I find the faith of these women oh so inspiring and am a better person and a better mom for reading them. Second, I am a firm believer in prayer and I do believe that me crying and praying for these family that I don't know has to be lifting their burden somehow. Are we not supposed to bear one another's burden? I have to believe that I am making their load lighter. Third, I am guilty of being selfish and ungrateful to my Heavenly Father for my own personal miracle. When I almost lost my own son last year, I was not afraid to tell people my story to their face. However, Jack and I didn't want it to be on the internet. It made it so much more real for me. And Jack thought maybe it would come back to haunt us one day. Maybe it will. I am not saying I am trying to be inspiring like these women that I look up to. I just feel like it is time that I shared my story to let others know that I KNOW I have a Heavenly Father who answers my prayers and is in charge.

On July 26th, 2009, our family was in Idaho for the Hoopes’ side “reunion.” For my family, that means we go to grandma’s house and do different activities each day. Not go anywhere because many of us have to travel just to get there and don’t want to travel more after that destination. As well as the financial part. It is just easier to stay at grandma's and not a hotel and food and activity and all that big vacations entail.

As our kids have grown up, it has been so fun to watch them play and get along with cousins. It’s interesting because it seems almost instinctive that they are family. They play so differently with cousins than they do with their best of friends where we live. It really is just awesome!

One thing that I also struggle with, I guess, is watching my kids when I go to my mom’s house. When my siblings are all together after several years of hit and miss I fall into a daughter and sister role as well as a grown up friend role. The daughter role is simply that I fall back into my habits from when I lived at my parents house. And I enjoy cooking and sharing my life with others so I will do the cooking (my dad is so good to do the cleaning up after my cooking) and I enjoy just talking with whomever will sit and listen.

This is how this Sunday afternoon was. We got out of church and were preparing to have a big feast. (even as I type I am already feeling the pressure of that day) Most of the adults were in the kitchen and my dad was outside at the BBQ preparing some ribs that I had only heard were oh so fantastic and was so excited about. I had the thought run through my head to check on my kids and I looked out the window and saw Jack outside playing with Emma and Crew. Where was Jackson? Probably just playing somewhere with Kannon. And I continued to cook.

Once again I had the thought to check on Jackson. I continued to cook through several more “thoughts.” Finally, dinner was ready and I began calling everyone in the house to eat. BJ suggested the adults eat first and then we will invite the kids in. However, at that moment even as I said “ooh, i like that idea” Mom came in to ask if anyone had seen Jackson or Kannon. Apparently the spirit had to go elsewhere to someone who would listen. So I went looking. I began yelling around the house and out the back door and then looked out the window across the street and told someone to run to the playground across the street to see if they had snuck out to go play. Mom and I walked out of the house and I instantly had thoughts go through my head of stories that I had heard so many of in the past of children being locked it the cars. It was 95 degrees outside at the time. I told mom to check the other cars while I did the ones close by and then I ran to the back of the house. Mom checked all but one car. When I ran to the backyard again there was no sign and I ran through the house and out the front door again just in time to see Jack going to the one car that hadn't been checked. He later told me as soon as he walked out the front door he was knew instantly to walk to that car. We opened the door together to see two lifeless boys in the backseat of an old van that is my brothers. Jackson was lying on the seat and his cousin, Kannon, was sitting up in front of him resting his weight on him with a blanket wrapped around him. Kannon's head fell to the side and he opened his eyes and was able to mumble that they had been yelling but no one heard them. Jack, with much relief pulled him out and hugged him and said it would be okay. I got in the car to Jackson, who when I touched was gone. He was lifeless. No response. No breathing. We failed to check his pulse at this time. I yelled "Jack" and pulled him to my arms and Jack was able to see what I saw. He grabbed Jackson and began to run. I picked up my nephew and followed into the house and I began screaming to my sister in law that our boys needed fluid and she needed to come help. It wasn't until she saw her son that she realized how serious this was. As Jack ran Jackson to the bathroom and turned on the shower, Jackson went into a seizure. My understanding is that this is one of the final things your body does before quitting. Jack turned on the some lukewarm water to bring down his temperature and began administering CPR on our baby. I handed off Kannon and called 911, but was walking into the bathroom and dropped the phone and began screaming the scream only the mother who has lost her child knows. I cannot describe what I saw. I do not have the words. Jack had gotten a shallow breath to come back and told me later that his pulse was near gone, also. Each time his eyes rolled into the back of his head Jack would slap his face and I would cry for him to come back to me. My dear sister in law, Carime, I will forever be indebted to. She was in the bathroom holding her baby close and crying and yelling at my brother to give Jackson a blessing. It was a command. Not an invitation and my brother administered an absolutely incredible and seeming impossible blessing to my son who was staring death in the face.

Within minutes the EMTs showed up and got Jackson in the ambulance. I got to go with him (although as soon as I got in, I wished Jack would have). Of course I wouldn't let him out of my sight, but they were really struggling getting all the needles in him and I knew Jack could have done it with his experience. How grateful I was for the knowledge and experience Jack has had that prepared him for this moment with our own son. Jackson was still not getting enough oxygen and was unconscious and unresponsive, but was not gone. I watched as they cut his favorite shirt off and wanted to grab and kiss and hold the shirt and I watched him being poked over and over again and show absolutely no sign that he felt it. I wanted him to jump or cry or show some sign that he felt it. I held a bag of ice on his groin area to continue to bring his temperature down and get down by ear and talked to him and sang primary songs to him. My brother, BJ, rode with us holding Kannon and watching on the entire time, quietly. Kannon threw up on the ride down which was such a good sign for him. He would be fine.

At the hospital, I followed him into the emergency room where workers were all over putting up bags of fluids and asking questions and poking and and checking. How grateful I was to all those who worked to get to where they were. Jack came with my mom and dad not 30 seconds behind the ambulance and took the other side of the hospital bed. Jackson was officially on oxygen and his levels were coming up and his heartbeat that was once near gone was getting stronger. My boy was alive. I prayed and thanked my Father for blessing me with that...no matter what challenges were ahead for us. I was so grateful he was alive. He was with me. The doctor told us we wouldn't know much until he woke up and then the tests would begin.

Somewhere in here, Jackson opened his eyes. He wasn't responsive with sound but would look around and watch people around him move. After some time, my parents and brother and his wife and Kannon decided to leave. They said goodbye and began to walk out and Jackson began to cry. He was scared. I was so happy. Jack and I stayed by his side and sang him his favorite Star Wars and Indiana Jones songs for the next 30 minutes and would ask him if knew who his mom or dad was. Nothing. A nurse came in to tell us we would be moving to a room on the pediatric floor soon. At this point Jack asked "Jackson, do you know who your mommy is?" He made eye contact with me. A tender mercy. "Do you know who your daddy is?" He looked at Jack. He was behind those eyes. This was two hours after being found. It seemed like an eternity. But this is my miracle.

When the nurse moved us to the upstairs she told me I could carry him. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I just wanted to hold my boy. When the elevator doors opened on his floor, it was cheery and fun. The wallpaper showed kids running with dogs and holding balloons. Jackson picked up his head and tried to tell us about it, but couldn't talk. It was a lot of mumble. In the room we cuddled and held and cuddled and held and cried. I asked if he would like a drink of milk (his favorite) and the nurse brought it in and he downed it. Could this be happening? He began speaking more and more, too, and it became more clear with practice. for the next six hours (until 12:30) we stayed up talking and watching movies and exchanging grateful loving looks. I was still nursing Sadi so it was decided that I should go home to be with the girls. I still don't know how I walked out of that hospital. I bawled the whole way home and had nightmares all night long. But I slept with Emma and pulled Sadi into bed with me, too. When I couldn't sleep and it reached 5:30, I got up and showered and hugged Emma. We decided to go to the store before going back to the hospital. I knew they would still be asleep.

I have been so grateful for Emma in all of this. She was downstairs the day before and only caught me as I was running up the stairs to get in the ambulance and I told her nothing was wrong and I had to go. Why did I not stop to hug her? I guess I thought she was not aware of what was going on and was better off not knowing. Apparently, she was outside watching her family drive away in the ambulance and her cousin told her that her brother was dead because he saw him. Dear Emma ran to her room crying. How scared she must have felt. This is one of my many regrets of that day. I should have hugged her and loved her and comforted her for even ten seconds before I walked away. She later told me she prayed in that room and HEavenly Father told her Jackson would be alright and she wasn't scared anymore. How perfect and sweet and faithful. I have such a strong little girl with maturity beyond her age.

The next morning as we went to the store I wanted to get Jackson a toy to bring to the hospital. There was a Buzz Lightyear and Woody doll that were on sale and Emma wanted a my little pony. All I had was cash and I knew it would be close. When the cashier rung up the total I was almost forty cents short. I got teary (I'm sure the cashier thought I was looney) and Emma began to cry and told me it was okay. She said she didn't need the toy, but she was tearing up also. What a selfless act of love. I promised her we would come back for a toy for her and she would have her My Little Pony. And we left for the hospital.

They had just awakened when we arrived and Jackson already had a balloon and stuffed animal there. I guess when the nurses gave him shots that morning he was so brave and didn't even flinch. This is very typical of him even at the doctor's office. They gave him a teddy bear donated from a local small business. It was all very touching. It's incredible how loved you feel by those who do small acts of service. I will never throw that bear away. The doctor came in and told us he would be released that morning and all was well. We had our last day of reunion at the pools and tubes in Pocatello. We weren't planning on going, of course, but the pediatrician said there was no reason not to.

We left the hospital, went back to the store for Emma's toy as promised and went home to get ready for the pools. It was so surreal. I watched him swim around the kiddie pool for several hours that afternoon feeling like I was in a dream. Was he really almost gone not 24 hours earlier? I held him close as we watched his sister and dad go down the waterslide with the cousins. We had so much fun that afternoon. I couldn't believe I had such a miracle.

For three days I didn't sleep from reoccurring nightmares. On Wednesday, Jack gave me a blessing and they were simply gone after that. I have been so blessed. There hasn't been a day in the past nine months that I haven't had images and thoughts go through my head reminding me of how blessed I am. I can't help but go lie in my sons bed at night when he's gone to sleep and hold him tight. I never do want to forget.

And FYI, Jackson has done well, I think, emotionally with what happened. He didn't talk about it much in the beginning other than asking why I didn't come sooner because he was yelling for me and he was scared and crying. That, too, has been hard to hear. I can't imagine the fear and pain that he had to go through before going unconscious. He seems to do well. He'll make reference to it every once in a while and I hope he'll continue to talk as needed.

I wanted to post this. I needed to because I have felt like I have been ungrateful for not shouting from the rooftops how good my Father in Heaven has been to me. He answered my desperate prayers and pleadings and comforted my heart and blessed my family. I am SO blessed.

2010-04-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

These may get old for everyone else, but at least we're still laughing.

LET THE WEIGHT GAIN BEGIN

2010-04-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

I'm pregnant. Due sometime in November. Yeah for me!

2010-04-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Sadi and I are home alone today. She is seriously the easiest kid. And she's so funny and cute. She follows me around all day serenading me with abc's, twinkle, and the temple song. If I turn around and look at her she just laughs like she is hilarious and sways back and forth to her music. I love this girl. She has become my sleeping partner. A little over a month ago (maybe two, who knows?) when she was sick I pulled her into bed next to me and just got used to having her there. now I don't sleep very well until she climbs into bed with me at some point in the night. I'll so regret that when I have to put her back for good when her spot gets taken. Jack and I love having her there, though, which is funny because neither of us has ever been able to sleep with Jackson or Emma between us. She is spoiled, I tell you, SPOILED!!!

2010-03-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

This is absolutely one of the most wonderful stories I have ever heard. "Americans would rather die standing than live kneeling."

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=21689194

Oh PS, you'll have to cut and paste that because it's not giving it as a link.

2010-03-22T13:33:00.001-07:00

A Campaign Begins Today [Mitt Romney]

America has just witnessed an unconscionable abuse of power. President Obama has betrayed his oath to the nation — rather than bringing us together, ushering in a new kind of politics, and rising above raw partisanship, he has succumbed to the lowest denominator of incumbent power: justifying the means by extolling the ends. He promised better; we deserved better.

He calls his accomplishment “historic” — in this he is correct, although not for the reason he intends. Rather, it is an historic usurpation of the legislative process — he unleashed the nuclear option, enlisted not a single Republican vote in either chamber, bribed reluctant members of his own party, paid-off his union backers, scapegoated insurers, and justified his act with patently fraudulent accounting. What Barack Obamahas ushered into the American political landscape is not good for our country; in the words of an ancient maxim, “what starts twisted, ends twisted.”

His health-care bill is unhealthy for America. It raises taxes, slashes the more private side of Medicare, installs price controls, and puts a new federal bureaucracy in charge of health care. It will create a new entitlement even as the ones we already have are bankrupt. For these reasons and more, the act should be repealed. That campaign begins today.

— Mitt Romney is the former governor of Massachusetts and author of No Apology

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzgyMzA1NWUwNjA5OTg2ZTUzMTliYzQyOTM1ZmIzNTI

2010-03-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

I'm sick to my stomach. I want to throw up. I'm so disappointed and feel like there had to have been more I could have done to prevent the passage of this healthcare bill. Nothing in life is EVER free.(Okay, one exception. Salvation is free for me. But it, too, was paid for. Just not by me. ) What is going to have to be sacrificed? What freedoms are going to be taken away for my "free" healthcare? If anyone is feeling more optimistic tonight I need a pick me up.

"Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who are not."

Thomas Jefferson

2010-03-07T21:34:00.001-08:00

I found a "Mormon Left" (www.mormonleft.blogspot.com) blog through a friends blog tonight and the first post that I read I had to comment on and it turned into a book so I thought I would cut and paste that book on to my own blog since this IS my journal. While my thoughts are not complete in this comment, I will always come back to personal responsibility and hard work. And PS it was nicely paragraphed when I pasted in over and even now isn't one ginormous paragraph, but publishes different and I don't know what to do about it. Sorry.

This is quickly becoming a favorite powerful quote for me:

Harold B. Lee's Quote on America

"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the new Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail. I have faith in America; you and I must have faith in America, if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges.

I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through."

And here is the response I left on this blog.

So none of you know me. I just found your blog through a friend. I have to say I completely disagree. No, that's not true. I agree that healthcare is a major problem in the United States of America. It IS expensive, no one can argue that. But so is going out to eat, going to a movie, buying a car, having life insurance, having car insurance, owning/renting a home, etc... The problem that I have is no one in our generation thinks that we need to buckle down and figure out tough times. Or that we should have to.

No one wants to give up any of the stuff that I wrote because that's just part of how people live and that would be hard to have to take away those luxuries just to put it toward health insurance. What makes us think that health insurance is a human right? Is having a cell phone a right? cable? Internet? What about a car? A house? You may argue that those are just things, we are talking about people's LIVES!!! I am saying if healthcare means that much to you, which it should, give up everything that isn't necessity and see what you can do...go from there. I just don't think you really can complain until you have done everything you can do.

Insurance companies take advantage. Government has put regulations on insurance so they cannot cross state lines to bring down rates and provide the consumers with good competition between companies. I think when you take capitalism away by shutting down these private companies and give more power to the government, you are going to say good bye to even more of your freedoms.

I am not rich. On the contrary, I am a mother of three and my husband is in school and we live off off school loans and the money he brings in from a part time job. However, taking the road we have has taught me that life is rough and you do what you have to do.

I went to go read the article suggested and could not even get past the first sentence:

"Let's start with the obvious: America has not only the worst but the dumbest health care system in the developed world."

Are you talking about South America? I'm pretty sure that we have the best medical system in the world and that is why people come from all over the world to be trained at our schools and why people fly in from all over the world to be treated by the world's BEST doctors? What country do you live in? This is America! Quit complaining and get up and WORK HARDER!!! (Millions of people on welfare are depending on you! Sorry, I just love that bumper sticker!) It's the only country left where you can still have a dream and WORK HARD to achieve it. Please don't let it change. Fight to keep our freedom. God helped our founding fathers set this free nation up and no where did it say that healthcare was a right. I say quit taxing America so stinking much and see how generous people will be when they don't feel like so much money is being stolen from them. I think I can guarantee we will always come out more generous that what the government takes from us.

One more perspective before I get off my soapbox. I am SO grateful for health insurance. While it is expensive and most of the time confusing and frustrating to deal with, I have personal experience with it being wonderful. I have a little brother who has had two brain tumors and is now completely hormone dependent and severely mentally behind and physically handicapped, but thanks to the wonderful training of our medical doctors, is still alive. I have a father who had such a rare cancer that he battled with, and thanks to our wonderfully trained medical doctors, is now the 15th documented person to survive the treatment for that cancer after a bone marrow transplant. Without having the medical insurance that he worked his whole life to have, I would no longer have my little brother, nor would I have a father on this earth. I am so grateful for insurance.

Here is the link to the article that I couldn't get past the first line. If it begins with a line as stupid as that one, it's not worth reading, in my opinion.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/29988909/

This post is my vanity

2010-03-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

So I am not posting to tell everyone that I think I am fat. I recognize I am not. However, I'm 5'4" and weigh 140 lbs. I think I'm supposed to be 125-ish? I went to the doctor for a checkup and referral (is that spelled right?) in October and my doc told me that I was one pound away from telling me that I needed to lose some weight. Okay, fine. I have this problem with food addiction, though. I LOVE, LoVe, lOvE good food! It's terrible! I love mexican, italian, indian, chinese, anything greasy, anything healthy, you name it and I'll eat it. Although seafood is something I only tolerate. DO NOT LOVE!!!

When Emma started school in August I made a goal that I would bike or run her to school everyday (2 miles there and back..i mean altogether not 4 miles). I did really well the first 2 1/2 months. I was doing 20 miles a week...that sounds so much to me, but considering I was biking half of those it's not so much. in november i took a 2 1/2 month leave and started up again in february. I run almost every morning. Oh PS i use the would run VERY loosely. It's a mix of however hard I am breathing at the time. I don't like it. i would so rather dance, but when do i find time to do that with three kids? if you say morning you have to remember that i also love sleep. So here are my pics of me right now...

my belly relaxed

love handles. I carry the majority of weight gain in love handles.

holding things tight. not sucking in, just holding tight. not too bad

still holding things tight. gotta love emma in all these pics, too. she picked her own lovely outfit out for school this day. turquoise, pink pants, and a wool lime-ish sweater. who am i to tell her it doesn't match. she could be the next fashion guru.

after my jog, now sucking in

jack thinks I'm hot after my jogs when I'm stinky and sweaty. would i win a hot award? I think I look like my brother more and more which makes me think i am not so hot. a girl having the facial characteristics of a boy? ewwww...

2010-03-03T14:29:00.000-08:00

2010-03-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

2010-03-02T06:54:00.000-08:00

I clean my bathrooms in general once a week. I'm not anal about all too many things in my house, as far as cleanliness, but my bathroom I am. I have to clean every crevice and wipe down the walls and wipe the ENTIRE toilet down, etc...I'm sure what probably most women do. I doubt I'm all that different. I cannot handle walking into a bathroom (especially mine) that smells like a gas station restroom.

This is something that I really struggle with. Not so much at other people's houses, I guess I should say, but just at my own. I get really emotional and angry if it smells like urine in MY house.

So having this specific personality trait and a little boy does not mix very well. I tried to teach him when we began potty training over a year ago that he needs to sit and point it down. He would have none of that. It has been standing since day one. So several times a day I have to wipe down the walls and toilet with clorox wipes on top of the once week deep clean. I'm just surprised, I guess. I would think since I am doing the daily wipe-downs that by the end of the week, it wouldn't stink as bad as it does. But I am not so lucky. Or maybe I am.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn and change. In blog stalking over the past two years, I have come across so many blogs of women who have lost their children and they put their hearts out there to the world. They don't get to hug and kiss and laugh and scold and smother with love. And they don't get to wipe down the pee that their kids leave behind.

I know I have never posted about what happened with my son last summer, and I don't intend to, at this point. I'm not at a place in my life where I could handle comment discussion. However, when I faced death or was holding it by the hand, I promised I would do anything if I could only keep my son by my side. Or please take me instead. Or PLEASE let me keep him. PLEASE. My cries were heard. And I haven't forgotten. I would most definitely take my daily toilet wiping routine than the alternative. And I will do it with a HUGE smile on my face and gratitude in my heart.

Because I AM really blessed.

2010-03-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would share since we are here. I have a feeling this will be forever a part of what we do behind a computer...

2010-02-21T15:55:00.000-08:00

This, obviously, was our nativity play. A few things... Sadi is the angel and is naked because she wouldn't keep her angel costume on. And the voice of Mike when he says the angel's part...he is not mocking the angel, he's using a high pitched voice because Sadi is the angel. Just didn't want him getting a bad rap for his narrating.

2010-02-21T15:33:00.000-08:00

Our angel wouldn't keep her clothes on.

Mary for got to take her pillow out when she had the baby. She looks a little chesty!

Everett got to play the baby Jesus. He was 5 wks old.

Our wise men. They look pretty wise.

Sadi falling out of the manger when it was over and she was jealous because she didn't get to be the baby.

Christmas morning when it was clean.

tree

Jackson's gift was this huge set of army soldiers and tanks.

Emma's big gift this year was just tons of crafts. She is my little artist.

Apparently Sadi had no big gift because I didn't take pics of it and I can't remember what it was. Whoops!

It's a little late, but not near as bad as last year's late Christmas post. We had so much fun this year. Christmas Eve we had a fantastic dinner at our house with Mike, Lilian, Jorge, Sam, Everett, and Simon (this was his second year with us and we sure like him). We love having close friends for our family out here. The Moore's are our family and we're going to miss them terribly when we move.

One thing I can say about never having lived by family, though, is that I am grateful that we wake up and have Christmas as just our little family. I don't think that will change even when we do live close to siblings and parents. The feeling of gratitude that i have when my kids get so excited is just for me to enjoy...my own present.

2010-02-21T15:25:00.000-08:00

The after Christmas sale 2008, I got the pieces to put together a wreath absolutely knowing that that was not something in my range of talents. I can get as far as purchasing the different cool textures and color schemes, but the actual construction of my project, not so much. Anyway, that's what friends are for. I have a friend who has to be the most crafty, talented friend I have ever met (no offense to the crafty friends who I did not mention!). My dear Monica, how wonderful and willing she is to be my friend however painful it can be at times! So this is my wreath. I wish the pics did it justice. In person, it takes my breath away because I have shopped for a beautiful wreath for three years, and never purchased because I didn't love it enough to display it. But this is my new Christmas treasure. It is actually hanging up still even though Christmas went down 1 1/2 months ago. I can't find a bin big enough to hold it!

Can you just tell it doesn't do it justice?

2010-02-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

Just a few cute pics

The examples.

These pictures make Emma seem so grown up to me. She looks huge! When did this happen?

Eating spaghetti at lunch. With their hands. On the same chair. Sadi had to dress in her brothers clothes that day. She would accept nothing less.

I love the way Sadi is watching him. She tries to be just like him.

It has been so fun watching Sadi want to be just like her older siblings. Emma is the mother that makes up where the other mother lacks. :) This morning all of the kids woke up and Emma fed them breakfast (cold cereal and toast with butter and jam) and kept telling them not to wake up mom and dad because we were so tired...which was oh so true. Jackson can tease Sadi and play with her and beat on her and she just smiles and laughs and beats him right back. Sadi's personality fits so perfectly into this family.

Today in primary the sharing time was tossing a bean bag around the room and whoever caught it got to finish the sentence "I am grateful for Jesus because..." and Emma's response was "He put my little sister into our family and she is so much fun." Jackson's response "because he blesses me." Of course, I was thrilled with both responses because they came up with them on their own. I love, love, love seeing them think and share the things that are going on in their heart. And that they get it. How wonderful!

2010-02-12T11:35:00.000-08:00

TWO THINGS

1...I THINK EMMA LOOKS ADORABLE.

2...I THINK I LOOK SKINNY.

BOTH VERY HAPPY THINGS.

Treasure Found

2010-02-09T11:41:00.000-08:00

This post is specifically about Sundays. These are the best and the worst of days. Jack has had morning meetings on Sundays from the moment we got married so I have always been the one to get the kids ready for church. Jackson, the majority of the time, makes a ten minute project for him (clothes and shoes on, and hair gelled) into 30-40 minutes with some raising of the voice (a.k.a. yelling), bribing, begging, etc. He is his mama's child in that he loves his pajamas...and VERY much dislikes dressy clothes. he won't touch any of his 8 polo shirts and has only recently (past Christmas) put on nice pants, shirt, sweater, and tie without too much fuss. However, last Friday I found this sweater and tie at The Children's Place that I thought would be great for Easter. I played it up that he would look handsome in his tie just like Daddy's and he was so excited. He dressed HAPPILY and got his hair done with a smile onhis face on Sunday (even mentioned how his hair looked good) and when we got home from church he didn't want to take his church clothes off. I was so excited that I went back to the children's place the next day and got three more ties and two shirts. He asked if he could wear a shirt and tie home and I was loving it the rest of the day. Was this all it took the whole time? Get him nicer clothes for church? I'm excited for the options I have now to choose from and that hopefully he's not going to fight getting his clothes on for church quite so much.

a long awaited day

2010-02-07T20:56:00.000-08:00

This happened quite awhile ago. She has lost another since then, but about two months ago she lost her first tooth. She had been so jealous of her friends and classmates and was constantly asking when it would be her turn so YEAH FOR EMMA!!!

2010-02-07T20:50:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when she gets her own ice cream cone in the car.

2010-02-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

2010-02-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

At the park when my dad was here. Unfortunately, he's mostly blind from pain in his eyes and couldn't focus the camera all that well. This was one of the best.

Right before Emma's concert.

Just thought Jackson was SO CUTE!!!

Sadi, too! I think she is adorable.

I haven't been that great on getting back on the wagon. Sorry! Not a whole lot to say other than I love my cute family. Emma is the most wonderful oldest example I could have asked for, Jackson never ceases to put a smile on my face with the cute thoughts going through his brain, and Sadi is the easiest thing still and is a blast to see her try to do all her older siblings do. She also LOVES babies (dolls and real) and is the best dancer when music comes on. I'm gonna record that. Hey is anyone able to see the videos I put up? MAYBE 5% of the time I can get one to play on my blog. Is that normal or is it because I have a new computer that doesn't do it right? If anyone has a clue please let me know. I'm so not computer savvy!

2010-01-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

I've been so proud of Emma. She has gotten so good at her violin. I love this girl.

Jackson

2010-01-21T21:41:00.000-08:00

Just a few thoughts from my son. I wanted to get them written down. Last semester, Jackson had a hard time that last two months going to preschool. He would cry and was SO clingy and that is so not like him. I had a hard time leaving hims so I didn't and ended up just paying a lot of money for him to come home with me. This semester I thought we would try again before we quit for the year and he has done really well. I found that if I give him a task to do during the time we're apart (usually draw me a picture) he runs in without any problem...until Tuesday (two days ago). He started to cling to my leg again. So I just walked into his classroom and started playing with the toys with him and Sadi and after about three minutes he said "okay mom, you can go now. I'll be okay." And that was it. It was a boost of confidence for him, I hope. He's such a good boy. I can't even say how many times I have the thought that I am so grateful to still have him with me.

That same day on the way home from getting him I was telling him how I had to go to the doctor (I have had some crazy cramping going on that had to get checked out...I don't get cramps...so they were something else) and he was going to his friend's house with his sisters. He let me know he would pray for me while I was gone and then we we got into the car again to go to his friends house I asked if he remembered what he said he would do and he broke into a prayer right there in the car and blessed me "to be safe." That's how he always blesses our family so I'll take it. I just like watching and listening to him. That boy can melt my heart.

2010-01-20T14:36:00.000-08:00

2010-01-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

When Emma heard herself say her part, she said "I had no idea my voice was so pretty." She's the first girl to speak.

HOPE

2010-01-19T19:52:00.000-08:00

So I haven't used my blog as much of a venting area for politics as I probably should. The truth is is that I am a talk radio junkie. I love Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin (although it has taken me a while to get past his voice. It's a tad nasally.) I think I got the trait from my father who drove me crazy as a kid because I couldn't stand hearing those boring voices all the time.

On any given day you can call me and find out what politically is going on my little brain. I tend to lean very conservative, although there are a few areas I might budge toward the middle...I'm just throwing those in there cause I don't know what they are, but I'm willing to think there's gotta be something.

I recognize that people all around the country are feeling the same way I am feeling which is that I am very rapidly watching my country and my freedoms be taken away with a happy face on the package telling me that it is going to be good for me. My husband and I aren't nearly educated enough to know what is good for us and our family. It's a good thing those big guys in Washington are watching out for me. BLAH!!!

My reason for posting is that this is the first night in over a year that I have felt HOPE. Scott Brown won in Massachusetts. I am SO HAPPY!!!!! My father called me when he heard and it was just this huge relief. I couldn't help but wonder if ACORN was somehow going to sneak in thousands of votes for Coakley, but it didn't happen and their voices were heard! YEAH MASSACHUSETTS!!!!! I'm so proud of you!

2010-01-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

Cute three generation picture!

My mom came to visit for a week and see the Rose Parade on New Year's Day. It was such a fun trip. Of course we introduced her to Emma's favorite toy and she laughed her head off at herself. WE love you Mom and LOVED having you here!

2010-01-13T09:02:00.000-08:00

Last night Emma and I were working on homework and she took my hand to write me a message. I thought it was very clever so I ought to take a picture. She is so precious!

2009-12-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited for Christmas this year. My family is still young enough that I'm trying to establish more of our own traditions to add to what we have. Emma and Jackson are definitely old enough to remember past Christmas(es), but we have a lot more to go, also. A lot of people celebrate Christmas Adam, which I had never heard of, so if anyone out there does celebrate that, give me ideas please, what do you do? We made last night our night to take out fresh loaves of bread I made yesterday to friends and then go see the lights and sing songs in the car. We did have a lot of fun. Emma woke up this morning and said she loved last night. And when we finished our drive last night Jackson said he wished we could see more. We are so looking forward to this afternoon. Jack gets off work early. Last year, we had a co resident of Jack's work come over Christmas Eve because he was on call and he's coming again this year. And Mike and Lilian are coming over tonight also. we're all going to open PJs and get in them before dinner and then tonight we're having our yummy meal. Then we plan to do the Nativity with the kids and sing songs, eat more, I'm sure, and pull out blankets and air mattresses and watch Miracle on 34th Street with popcorn and then sleep in the family room as a family until Santa comes and Emma wakes the whole family up. I'd love to hear others traditions. I never feel like it is enough that is different to make memories/traditions. We don't have family nearby, which has made it a little tricky because that's kind of what it's all about...two more Christmases! THEN we'll be by family!...unless I just jinxed us. However, we have LOVED our years away. I love that we have established waking up at our house and not Grandma's. We have done both, and I prefer my own. This year, on Christmas day, because we don't have family nearby to spend the day with, I set up a service project we are going to do, which I think is awesome! I'm so excited that my kids will get to serve on the Savior's Birthday...would He want anything else? That tradition, I hope, stays! Then we are having another lovely dinner with our other close friends, the Morgans. So now that I have said a little ditty, it's time to get to work and get my house prepared for a celebration. I hope the next two days for everyone are wonderful. Merry Christmas!

2009-12-20T21:45:00.000-08:00

Have 2 computers that hate me. They always crash when I'm around. It's true. And now they're both dead...or at least mostly dead. I told husband I no longer wanted to have this heavy weight of computer bickering weighing on my conscience. I needed a new Jami-friendly computer. We bit the bullet and bought a loverly IMAC. I like it so far. This is me playing with buttons. When I realized it was video recording I just thought it was cool. I believe this setting is the bulge.

2009-12-20T21:14:00.001-08:00

It's the end of the day and I'm tired. I fell asleep putting my kids to sleep and awoke to realize I just want to go to bed. I washed my face and brushed my teeth then thought I could post a hello to anyone who possibly reads this. Who knows? I should have turned to screen so I had Merry Christmas in the background. I made a new wreath this week that is AWESOME! I made one last year that is fine, but it was my first. Actually I should say that it is my only because my talented friend Monica showed up and tweaked my first and made it look professional, so I learned my lesson and bought all the stuff and just let her make the second one. It's more beautiful than anything in a store. I did good on the stuff I bought at least. That, in itself, is getting more creative for me.I'm scared to make a new resolution to regularly blog. Well, the way I see it is it IS regular (in intervals), kind of how I wondered if I could rationalize that one when asked about scripture reading. I'm going to go from here since I more or less missed a year in the blogging/journaling world. So hola! I'm makin' a comeback.

2009-09-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

I Just have to say that she is so cute. That's all.

2009-09-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

So My birthday was a week and a half ago. I turned the BIG 30. I told Jack that I wanted this new camera for my big day and was kind of disappointed when I came across some information two days before that told me that was not what I was getting. The thing that I always fail to remember is that I have married one of the most thoughtful men in the world. My birthday was awesome. So here's the story.
The day before my birthday my husband calls
"Jami, I have a huge favor to ask. Put the kids in the car and meet me at the Mill. Oh and bring your makeup."
So when I pull up to the Mill (where our friends live) he gets in my car and tells me to hop in his truck and everything I need to know is in there.
The ipod is in there waiting for me to push play with a bunch of roses on the seat and some gum for fresh breath! So he gives me some loving words and guidance from the ipod and directs me to pick up Lilian. I love that girl. He said I deserved a night out! So I got Lil and she had more roses with a note that said I got to go have Indian food and a fabulous restaurant. Lilian is my Latina clone. She loves indian food, too, so we stuffed ourselves silly when we got there. But our server pulls out more roses and a note and sends us to Burke Williams Spa for the day. We each got to be pampered with saunas and steam rooms and jacuzzis and fruit and drinks and of course, a delightful massage. When Lil and I walked out of the massage and met in the lounge, she started laughing and how relaxed I looked. It was hard to get more roses and leave that place. Next time, I'm bringing a book and staying and entire day. But he sent us to get a mani/pedi next. From the nail place he sent me to buy a new outfit at ANTHROPOLOGY (but I couldn't make myself do it. It was so expensive! So I have to take that gift card back. He said that was fine so i hope I'm not being mean. Of course the most caring words are "we can't afford it" so he just needs to remember I love him!) At the store, I was given my last set of rose with a note to come home to my loving family who decorated the entire house for me with crepe paper and balloons and made me a fabulous carrot cake and and Thai waiting for me for dinner. And to top off one of the best days of relaxation I have EVER had, my kids gave me my last gift...the camera that I wanted.
Jack, you are wonderful. This whole day made me feel so blessed that I had a husband willing to go through all the time and effort that you did to put that whole day together. Thank you for being a wonderful husband, father to three, and best friend to me. I love you!

2009-09-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

Emma and Jackson are both in kindergarten and preschool and Sadi just fell asleep. Do I honestly have two hours to myself right now? This is crazy! My first instinct is to take a nap cause honestly, how often does that happen (other than the fact that I took one yesterday)? I'm not sure where to start. I feel like I need to reintroduce us, it has been so long. This past year of our lives has been fantastic. Our little family is growing up. I've put up lots of random pics so I'll start with this one.

Jackson is the funny one in our family. He makes us laugh harder than anyone else can and he can make me cry by the sweet expressions of love he is so willing to give. We had a brush with death this past summer and we almost lost him so I am forever grateful to have been given a second chance with him. Jackson just started preschool. He is so tenderhearted. I told him that I missed him when he was away and of course he said he would stay home with me. I love that little boy. he loves books, and he loves being outdoors, and he loved music and dancing (especially any Troy Bolton song from HSM). Although he hasn't seen the movie in a good eight months, he loves to listen to Getcha head in the Game and put on his game face and dance.

Emma has just started kindgarten. There is not a day that goes by that I don't feel this immense gratitude that I have her. She is so impressive in the strength of her spirit and her goodness. She is the best second mom to Sadi. Yesterday I was getting after her because she wasn't coming when I had called for her and when I walked in she was lying on the floor laughing her head off because Sadi was at her head pulling her hair and smacking her face and Emma was dying laughing. She is so fun. It's easy to cut Emma lots of slack when she does have some sort of outburst because she is the perfect child at all other times. She is so excited to be in school everyday, although it is still a half day program (I'm still not ready to give her up all day). She is doing fantastic at violin. It is fun watching her excel and enjoy plaing a musical instrument because she comes from two parents who love music. It's so powerful and I love that she has an appreciation from it early on.

And who couldn't love a face like this? Honestly, can a baby be any better than her? Sadi is ALWAYS happy. (minus the few days her four molars were coming in at once). She has this fabulously fun personality. She is a sponge and loves to take in and do all her older siblings do. It's awesome to sit back and watch her play and want to be apart of all the games and activities now. At almost every dinner we have we play the "I am thinking of someone who..." game and she loves to raise her hand and get any attention possible. I wish I could just video tape her life like the Truman show so I could smile and share the personality with everyone. Maybe I am appreciating this more the third time around and am confident enough I can just enjoy her. Maybe, though, she is just so easy that I can't help myself.

I had to take this pic with Emma's shoes on, the buzz light year watch and headlamp. What mother wouldn't take this pic if she walked in on it?

At Emma's birthday party.

I just think she's pretty. I think she was decorating for my birthday when Jack took this.

Just a cute baby.

My Baby Turned Six Today!

2009-09-15T21:37:00.001-07:00

Of course I put these up here backwards. So let's go down the line of what's up. For Emma's birthday she asked me for a collection of My Little Ponies. When asked how many collection was she replied "like seven or something." Ponies are around $7 a piece. And I have a hard time dropping full price for toys because I'm a mean mommy. So I went shopping on ebay. I love that site. Emma actually already had three ponies and I knew my mom was getting her one so I was looking for a barn or house. Well, there was this castle that I had no idea from the picture how big it was, but it also came with a little over 30 ponies. Too many, I know, but talk about a collection! I got it for a little over $50. What a deal!

After this gift was opened, all the kids went directly to play time. Would NOT stop to eat cake and ice cream.

These were like number 7-8. She never got tired of opening these things.

Even though it's a terrible quality pic, I just thought she looked pretty.

Her cake that was made by her dad. I started it, but being a crafty woman is not a part of my genetic makeup. He quickly took over and did a good job.

However, to redeem myself, in a slight way, I have learned how to make pretty bows so I'm showcasing them here. All the thanks to Monica walking me step by step countless times cause I just couldn't quite get it. What a patient woman.

The cake. Looks pretty good, I think. He really carved it and rounded the edges and all without any pattern. I think it's awesome.

Is it not so crazy that I became a mother six years ago today? How is it possible that time has flown so fast? Without giving much credit to myself, I must say that Emma has turned out to be quite a remarkable person. She is truly good. She forgives instantly, cries for others who are hurting, invites any and everyone to play with her and become her friend, she works so hard on things that she struggles with until they become easier for her to do (something that I am NOT good at), is very aware of people around her and how comments affect others.

She has been my comfort MANY times. I admit, I have let my daughter see me cry from being sad on occasion. I don't even remember why. But she laid my head on her lap and rubbed my hair. It was so thoughtful and sweet and more mature than a 5-6 year old needs to be. But she has been one of my best friends and I appreciate her sweetness and honesty more than she'll know until she has children who are hopefully as good to her as she is to me.

Emma, you have a mom who adores you, loves you, and prays for you each day. Thanks for being such a light and pillar of strength in this family. Love, Mom

Reason for Prior Post

2009-06-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's sideways.

2009-06-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

We got rid of cable and antenna two months ago because we realized our family was happier with no TV. I do still use movies as a crutch and my kids have to do their chores to earn a movie. Actually, today we bought Kung Fu Panda because it makes me giggle to watch Jackson get into character. I love that kid.
As far as TV goes....I only miss two shows: Chuck and WIPEOUT. They are on opposite times of the year so I have one tv show a week (which is big for me because I grew up with the TV on at least four hours a day) that I catch up on on the internet. I especially love to watch wipeout with Jack because he can't help but laugh until he cries when he sees people fall down. I spend most of my time laughing at him.
If you have not seen it, go to www.ABC.com and watch an episode. It might make you laugh until you pee your pants.

Wyoming/Idaho Trip January 2009

2009-06-19T21:29:00.002-07:00

January through April this year was a fantastic time. Jack was scheduled to be on a different rotation and was able to take some time off for us to head up north. We went to Green River first. We love to go there. We always feel like everyone makes a special effort to come hang out with us whether they want to or not. Not to brag, but I have some of those stinkin awesome in-laws, too. It's so fun thinking we're almost to where we will be done with this whole schooling section of life and move a little closer to family. Being away for eight years helps me gain some appreciation of family.

Last October, Jack bought me my first gun (a .20 gauge....is that how I would type that?). So we brought our guns up to practice shooting. Jack purchased a thrower that at first we were a little retarded and couldn't get the clay pigeons in the air, but a kind person took pity on us between laughing at us and helped. So my first time with my gun I hit four! Not that that is incredible, but I think I only did under ten shots. I was pretty happy with myself.

I had fun watching my little ones learn how to shoot. Emma and Jackson were both so timid, at first, as they should be. But Jack does a really good job with them.

Cute Boy.

My man.

Grandma Diana.

Emsa

just a cute little baby

Emsa, again.

Sadi and Grandpa

Then we went to Pocatello. I've got a pretty great family who is so good at taking care of every one who walks through their door. Even though my mom works like crazy, she always takes the time off to see her grandkids. She's such a good grandma. My dad seems to be doing so much better, too. He sure has been through death and back and he's not done yet, but he's not dead, either, so we like to think that's a big bonus for us!

We took Emma skiing for the first time. I should say Jack took Emma and me skiing for the first time. I've been twice before, but I've never had instruction and because I broke bones both times, I don't think those should count. Emma didn't walk away loving it, but she talks about it and says she wants to go back. When we live in the snow and she's on the mountain every week, I think she'll be forced to love it. I, on the other hand, did enoy myself, although I did take quite a few crashes (PS we stayed on the bunny hill the whole time) (I just want ya'll to realize how woosy I've become) and I took a girl out that was mad at me for it. Jack said she was just as terrible a skier as I was and ran into me as much as I did her, so I didn't feel so bad after that.

I think she's seven months here. She's always been the best baby.

Can you tell we think we're from California? Honestly! Can you put some shoes on please.

I just think he's cute.

She's cute too.

I'm sure this is terrible form, but I'm proud of this picture. Makes me feel like a gal from Wyoming and I have to fit the part.

Christmas 2008

2009-06-19T21:06:00.001-07:00

Maybe it's because it is June that I'm not that excited to post about our Christmas six months ago. However, it was a fantastic Christmas and I'll happily put up pics. It does make me excited for Christmas again, though. I'm putting the tree up earlier every year cause I can't help myself. So the day after Halloween it is out of the garage. Hurray! Here's some pics!

They both got Leapsters, which were cool for quite awhile, but those games are so expensive and I'm cheap (sometimes, this is one of those times).

The kids both got bikes, which have been a blast. I can't believe how big Emma is. Hers has 20" tires. And Jackson zooms so great on his. I've been wanting Jack to get him without training wheels this sumer because he can totally do it. That kid is so coordinated.

The big gift was our dog. Like I said, his name is Jed. Jack won't claim tha he named him because he doesn't like the name, but he did say it and the dog answered to it so it stuck. I'm not a dog person, but I have to admit he is a really good dog. He hasn't had all that many accidents in the house, but I just want to beat him when he does. I can say he's slowly growing on me. He's so good with the kids...let's them carry him all over the place even though he totally doesn't like it, he rarely barks, which I understand is not normal for a chihuahua, I never need a leash (although I carry one just in case) because he always walks right by my side and stays when I tell him and comes running when I call for him. Maybe this is all normal dog stuff, but I'd never know. All in all, I'm pretty okay with him.

2009-06-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

I've really been feeling such a push lately (as in the past 6 years, but maybe more recently the last few months) to work on being a MUCH better mommy. There have been those nights when I have gone to bed wondering if my kids could forgive me for the way I talked to them (or yelled, I guess). But because they are wonderful, they always do forgive and come jump into my bed every morning to cuddle up with me with these fantastic smiles and energy to start the day.

This post is specifically for my little Emma. She is the most fantastic example of a person I have ever known. Each day I am so impressed with the person she is becoming. Two specific examples:

1. a couple of weeks ago I was getting really frustrated with the lack of cleanliness that my children were exhibiting in their room. after much encouraging which turned into threatening and frustration, I yelled at them both that they were locked in until it was spotless. After a few minutes to calm down I peeked my head in to find Emma missing. Jackson said she was in the bathroom (they have one off their room) so I opened the door only to run into my little girl kneeling on a rug saying a prayer. She came bounding out with this new attitude ready to halp out and be an encouraging example to her little brother. I was humbled.

2. A similar situation, but yesterday. Emma and Jackson have never seen any Star Wars and the GREATLY desired to. Emma takes great pride in being the only one willing to play with the boys at school of course playing the part of Princess Leia. And Jackson is often seen carrying his sword around the house completely in character singing his own theme music to Darth Vader. So we made a to do list and then they could watch the movie. Their list included their room, the playroom, getting dressed and ready for the day, and Emma had to practice her violin. Pretty hefty list, considering what both rooms looked like. After getting frustrated and running to her room, I peeked in on Emma to see if she was still mad and saw that all of her stuff was kicked up and Jackson's was almost clean too.

"Em's you didn't have to clean Jackson's stuff, too"

"I know, Mom, I just wanted to help my little brother."

She makes me feel happy.

I LIVE!!!

2009-06-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

I've been chastised by friends and strangers alike for not blogging in forever. (I know you're there Diantha!) Yes we are alive (I like to imagine I'm saying that in an Eddie Murphy dragon from Mulan-type voice). We have been so busy the past little while. A few days ago I actually wrote down all of the stuff I had to blog about from the last 4-6 months just to get it in here and blog later one by one...but I lost the list. I'm still going to name what I can remember and go through one by one over the next week or so (although I make no guarantees).

Just list with more to come:

-Christmas (we got a dog) Chihuahua named Jed

-trip to Idaho/Wyoming

-Emma's first ski trip

-camping beautiful, relaxing, fun. Emma broke her arm

-car wrecked and we got double what we were going to sell it for

-Stayed at cabin in Sequoia National Forest with some friends

-Jackson turned three

-MIL, FIL, SIL, and nephew came to visit

-my dad brought two nephews down to visit for a week

-Mom came down to visit for a week

-Went to Six Flags and took Emaa on X2. It made me cry because I was so worried about her. Long story.

-Jack lost keys

-I lost other keys. These two will go together, I'm sure

-Swim season started

-We're going to a Dodger's game tonight (I'm sure I'll want to post that one)

-Heading to Idaho and will go to my 11 yr reunion (kind of dropped the ball on the 10 yr). Taking the kids and bringing my niece back to stay for a week

-probably ought to update on my kids cause they're so dang cute, they ought to be remembered.

That's a decent list for now. I'll have to see what I can do.
-

Twinkle Graduation

2009-03-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

It has been a little over a year since Emma started violin. The first level is the Twinkle level and there are almost 70 skills she had to learn to do in order to pass and play her first song. We are so excited for her and proud of her. She did a fantastic job and loves to perform. Now we get to learn one to two songs a month. It will be very exciting to hear some new stuff!

twinkle graduation

2009-03-24T21:57:00.000-07:00

Things I Don't Want to Forget

2009-03-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted forever, and it's lame this will be so short. I want to remember some of the sweet personalities running around my house right now.

1. Every morning when Jackson first sees Sadi, he gets this huge smile and says "Sadi Lou Lee" It is is own personal nickname for her. I will have to record it because his voice is so sweet. He then proceeds to climb into her crib with her and hug and kiss until she REALLY wants her mom.

2. Emma's personal favorite right now has everything to do with eating in bed. If she wakes up before me of Jack, she gets out two trays and pours cold cereal and milk into a bowl and gets drinks and fruit or a piece of bread, in that order. The cereal is always SO soggy when we wake up to eat, but how can you turn down that sweet little face? She is so kind and thoughtful and the best little girl. Every once in while she will ask me if I'll make breakfast in bed for her and it makes her month! As soon as I say yes, she climbs back in to bed and sits patiently until her food arrives (and I don't mess around...pancakes, bacon, eggs. So she's there a while.

3. If every baby in this world were as good as Sadi, I'm convinced that every woman would have 15 kids. She is so easy and sweet. Tonight one of my young women asked me what Sadi was like when she threw a fit, and I have no idea. She never has...she's just awesome. On January 23rd she got her first bottom tooth and 7 days later got the second bottom. Then March 18th got one of her top and then four days later popped through an incisor. She's going to have a crooked smile for a while. It will be funny to see her sweet smile. Sadi loves being in her walker and following me around the house all day long. She literally is at my feet wherever I go and just yells for me when she gets stuck in a hallway or can't turn around. She adores being o eof the big kids and being in the middle of reading books or playing a game or sitting on the grass outside while we play kickball.

I have felt so grateful lately for the strength of the love and bond that I feel for each of my kids. I've had a rough month or two with patience and enjoying the everyday drama that my kids present to me. Things are getting better and I'm enjoying my change of attitude. I've got dang awesome kids, that's all.

2009-02-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

This makes me giggle. Hope you enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

2008-12-31T22:30:00.000-08:00

Tonight I have to post a HUGE thank you and I LOVE YOU to my awesome husband, Jack. Tonight is his last night of JOW and being on call as a second year resident. When he comes back to his service he will be a third year! Jack, no one else reading this has a clue the time and stress you have gone through (except maybe Luke) this year. As you shared stories with me last night about the crazy surgeries you have done this year, I couldn't help but feel so much gratitude for you. You're a wonderful husband, father, and friend. I so appreciate how hard you work for our family and the integrity that you work with. Your honesty kills me sometimes and yet its one of my favorite things about you! I can't wait to see you and kiss you tomorrow and know you're not carrying this burden anymore! I love you! Congrats on being done with JOW. Jaima