Simply Breathtaking

In Love

2011-05-27T08:53:00.001-07:00

This weekend there will be a lot more pictures of this sweet thing

and many stories about her too.

A little about her

2011-05-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

Oh man, am I behind. I mean I am really behind on the blog, but I had a post in progress that I still have not finished about when I found out we were going to have a little girl and the whole day of her birth post, but I have to jot down a few things about this little precious one, before it all starts to fade away as she gets older.

There is something about this baby that brings tears to my eyes every time I even glance at her. I have had full on crying fits. Yes I am aware my hormones are still trying to even themselves out and all, but she is just so amazing to me. I cannot get enough of her. I do not put her down. She has only been in her swing twice and that is when Andy has had her. I cannot imagine putting her in her swing! Let me hold this sweet thing! I do obviously put her down when she sleeps at night and when there are things I have to do and cannot do with her, but honestly, I cannot get enough of her.

As much as I am holding her and feeding her I am surprised she is not 11 pounds, but sadly enough this little one is having the hardest time gaining weight. My babies do not normally start packing on the pounds until about week two, but she lost so much in the hospital and is sloooooooooooooooooooooowly kind of putting it back on. She weighed 8.9 at birth, but the doctor this morning honestly thinks they weighed her wrong or the scale is wrong, because he saw her at day 4 and was no where near 8.9. When we left the hospital she was 7.6. She then lost four more ounces, but is not back up to 7.5 as of this morning. He wants me to pump and give her an ounce of my milk after each feeding with a syringe to not confuse her. Sounds like a lot of work to me. I feel like there is no time to pump! She has to start gaining more and I feel like it is going to happen real soon, so hopefully that is true. I go back again on Friday. I will have spent $100 on weight checks because of my co-pays! I am pretty sure I could have found a baby scale for about that! Oh well. Anything for her!

So, I got off on a tangent I think. That is not what this post was going to be about!

Here are few things about our sweet little Emersyn I hope to never forget!

*Her long beautiful fingers! They are so delicate and really stand out.

*She has the skinniest long feet. Super cute.

*Her eyelashes have made an appearance about at day 7. So sweet. She is so new!

*She has little stork bites on her forehead. I love them.

*Her tiny little legs.

*She fits in preemie clothes comfortably. I did not think I would get to use those again!

*She is such a great nurser! Minus the not gaining weight.

*I heard her get mad yesterday in the car because I waited too long to feed her. I have never heard her like this. I like being reminded she was born with perfect lungs!

*I adore pink.

*She has been showered with so many nice gifts from so many amazing friends. Every time I look at the gift bags and packages on my dining room table I feel so thankful for dear friends. I cannot put them away because it is just such a sweet reminder of those who love her.

*Her eyes are really looking blue, but I have felt like they were going to be more like Paxton's color. Difficult to decide on the color until about 9 months old.

*Her little noises are so sweet. When she gets hungry she just lets out these little grunts like.

*I love her name. It always puts a smile on my face and in my heart when someone asks me her name. I love that we chose that for her.

*Her legs are so tiny and short. She would be so much longer if her legs were normal length!

(I am pretty sure I know where she gets that from!)

*Have I mentioned I LOVE pink? Like a lot?

*Her smell is addicting. I don't want her to ever lose it. Can we bottle that newborn smell please?

*Her lips quiver and it is so cute.

*Newborns are just so easy. I know not everyone may feel that way, but all they do is eat and sleep. Her doctor asked if she had her days and nights confused and I laughed because don't they just have nights at this stage? She is awake for very little time of the day, but when she is I love staring into her eyes.

*Her hair is so fun. All my boys had tons of dark, thick, long hair. Jadeyn's hair was light and straight. She did not have nearly as much of it either. I loved her hair do not get me wrong. It is just fun to have such the opposite this time. She has so much hair we cannot do the karo syrup bows because they will not stay in at all. We are loving headbands though. We rarely spend much time without one on!

Let's face it, I could go on and on, but I will stop there and hopefully this will get me on the ball with updating more. I am anxious to write about her birth. I honestly feel we are closest to Heaven in those very moments. Definitely moments I want to always remember.

a new child to love

2011-04-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world...

Emersyn Kathlene!!!

April 29th 2011

8 pounds 9 ounces

21 inches long

10:17

Perfect in every way.

all in a decade

2011-04-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

My baby, my very first baby, the baby that made me a mommy is ten. TEN! How can it be? When I think of all that has happened since my very first child has been born, I guess it makes since, but I would like to repeat the last 10 years about 10 times, because they have been so great.

Bennett is a good kid. He tries hard. He is disciplined. He is sweet and kind. He worries about other people and their self worth. He likes to be a leader to his siblings. He loves sports. He really loves to read. He is still into Pokemon. He is so excited to have a baby sister. He is helpful. He loves to memorize.

He is just an all around good child. I have been so blessed to have him. I am sure there are times where I just wish I could get inside his brain and see why he will not put his jammies in the clothes basket or why I find those Pokemon cards around the house, but I will take those imperfections when I get such a great kid that goes a long with them.

Bennett, I wish I had a handbook on how to be the best mom I can be to you. I wish I knew all the ways to raise a wonderful, hardworking, man who know how much his Heavenly Father loves him, but even though I do not have that handbook, you sure seem like you are turning out to be the boy who already knows those things and has already accomplished those things as well. You amaze me. You inspire me. I love you my sweet baby. I am not sure if it is alright calling you that especially since we look eye to eye now, but not matter how tall you grow and how old you turn, to me, you will always be my baby!

Cort

2011-04-10T16:56:00.001-07:00

This morning this cute little guy who decided to wake up REAL early after a late night for me, said the cutest thing. He came in all excited after finding his cleats that I brought up from the storage. He was SO super excited about this. Since I was still asleep he came to my side of the bed and said, "mom, will you please untie my new cleats for me?" I was so tired, I uttered "maybe". He then went to Andy's side who was a little more awake and he said, "yes".

He ran out of the room so happy with a skip in his step. He passed Jadeyn on the way out and whispered, "Jadeyn! Did you know that maybe NOW means YES!!!" He was so so excited about that! He hears maybe a lot and now to him I guess he thinks he will be hearing a lot more YESES!!!!

Man I love Cortland.

Celebrate

2011-04-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend we celebrated my amazing Grandpa. He has finally retired. We were all surprised he finally did it! Get this, he was honored at a reception at work and he had worked longer than anyone in his local, he is an operating engineer, by 15 years! He had been working hard for 47 years. At the same job. What a great example. To be honest, I don't think he even really wanted to retire. I have had many examples in my life of hard workers, but this man is quite amazing. Right up until he retired he was working 6 days a week 10-12 hours a day! I could not cut that. He is 77 years old. I hope to have half of his stamina when I am that "young".

Grandpa, you truly amaze us. All the time!!!!!

Four weeks!

2011-03-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

I had an appointment yesterday and it went pretty well. I was a little worried because since the Thursday before I was ordered to "rest". This weekend was rough. I just want to do what I want to do. I was driving Andy crazy with lists upon lists of things I really want to do, but I was good and did nothing. Other than enjoy Andy's family that came in town for the weekend.

So at my appointment he checked me and I am not dilated at all and starting to thin out a little, which is normal for me at this point. The baby has finally switched and is not longer transverse, which is always good. The heartbeat was at a steady 167. We scheduled the section for May 2. I get to be there at 5:30 am! It is so crazy to think how fast this day will come! Am I ready? I know one thing, I am not sure I am ready for Paxton to not be my baby. He is starting to seem really big and old and starting to slim down, so I guess the time has come, but to me, they will all always be my babies!

We still have no idea if this sweet baby will be a girl or a boy. I go back and forth. I really think it is a boy, mostly because that is what we do. We make boys. For the first 19 weeks I was sure it was a boy then we had our ultrasound and I was really confused because I really felt like the baby was a girl. Since then, I have been confused. I am not sure. I don't really care either way. Every one else really seems to, but I don't, I do just wish I knew already though! I ready to get things ready. I do have a girl and a boy outfit to take to the hospital, so I guess I am covered!

So with only four weeks to go, I am hoping that many things will get crossed off my list, many bonding moments will occur with the five children we have and a lot of rest will be had by yours truly! FOUR weeks seems entirely too soon!

Things I would have posted to Facebook if I hadn't been enjoying Paradise

2011-03-08T07:45:00.000-08:00

(not in any certain order!)

*I aways forget how many people are so completely comfortable in a bikini. Old, young, thin, not so thin...I admire their confidence!

*Speedos will always get a good laugh from me!

*I cannot wrap my head around how lucky I am to be right here right now!

*My husband is truly my best friend. We cannot get enough of each other!

*I hope the kids are being good and having fun!

*I am so grateful for Nicki and her awesome personality!

*The beach scene always takes my breath away!

*Even in Mexico people think I should speak Spanish and think it is weird Andy does!

*I keep thinking of the things the Kids would love here and how not as relaxing it would be if they were here!

*I am pretty sure I have eaten more this week than I have this year!

*We have our own personal butler, a maid, someone who cooks for us and brings us drinks whenever and whatever we want. We have someone who drives us around the resort if we want and someone who does our laundry. The more I think about all that the more I realize that is exactly what our moms did for us!

*Why do I not live on the coast?

*Room service 24 hours a day? Sure!

*We have gone to bed earlier here every night than we do at home.

*A little burn never hurt anyone, but it sure affects my sleep!

*Gourmet? Of course!

*You want to do our laundry and press it? Sure!

*I am completely aware I look better with a little color on my face!

*I thought I was going to have a baby tonight!

*My feet did not like our flight one bit!

*Now those are tacos!

*Alberto and Olivia are a match made in Heaven!

*I am thinking in Mexico maybe they think a little alcohol is ok when you are preggers, just a little. Every time we ask for our drinks (sin alcohol=no alcohol) they look so let down and confused!

*A facial sounds just about perfect right now and then it was! The best one ever!

*I want a bathroom just like this if I get to build a house again someday!

* I really know a lot more Spanish than I thought I did!

*I love people watching!

*I think this lady thinks this us a topless beach! We look for her every day!

*Japanese food might just be my favorite food...

*Just talked with the kids and they already sound different!

* I am just so grateful to be married to my best friend. We never run out of things to say!

*We always sit by Canadians!

*I am going to have to do a cleanse after this!

*I am a loner...I only need Andy.

*Watermelon juice is my most favorite of all the juices!

*Beets and mouse, weird, but good!

*The hardest decision of our day is beach or pool? Such a life!

*I think I seriously have sun poisoning!

*Yes, I do most definitely have sun poisoning!

*Taking a nap on the beach sounds so nice. And it was!

*I think I have hit my food quota for the year!

*Another cocoloca, yes. Another pina colada, yes!

*Getting dolled up for the company diner is fun to do once in a while!

*I have done my makeup twice every day of this vacation and my hair every day and wore contacts every day and am realizing how much of a slob I must be at home!

*There is little that can be compared to walking in our room full of rose petals on the ground and roses on the bed and a bath drawn with rose petals floating on top. I feel like a princess!

*I cannot stop itching!

*I really kind of am anti-social!

*So proud of the hubs for attaining this huge accomplishment! He is such a hard worker!

*Can I take the beach home with me please? Or at least the pool?

*This burn will not stop my massage and pedicure, I will breath through the pain!

*Pops is awesome!

*"Where did Andy go?"

*Finding our peeps? and then meeting Luis!

*Our last day is always bitter sweet.

*Got all of our souvenirs!

*Still feeling really burnt!

*Best surf and turf ever!

*"You are a doctors wife, you can afford to buy organic milk from Sam's!" Talking to another couple about how we shop at Aldi, but how I cannot buy their milk!

*Our last breakfast of champions!

*We never got a picture of a cuate...but not for a lack of trying!

*I got some awesome earrings from my awesome hubby!

*Getting company gifts every night was one of the big highlights!

*And there goes the itouch...

*Prepping for the flight home. It is such a catch 22. I am drinking a ton of water to avoid swelling and contractions, but now I will have to go to the bathroom every other minute!

*Got my new camera just in time!

*Can we just move to Mexico?

*Let the peeling begin!

*We have a game plan if I go into labor in Mexico and hopefully we will not need to execute it!

*Can't wait to get my hands on our babies! I have really missed them!

*The thing I loved best about Mexico I get to take home with me, I love you ANDY!

Getting bigger by the minute

2011-02-20T18:27:00.001-08:00

This is not an exaggeration. I honestly think I am getting bigger by the minute. Man. It was going so well till about 26 weeks. In fact at my last doctor appointment I was measuring small and he said I only had a cute little baby bump. Wait till he sees me next visit. He will think I ate up that cute little pregnant girl!

What is it about 30 weeks? I just balloon up! I don't really mind getting bigger or even more uncomfortable because I know the end result is all worth it, but man sometimes I wish I was one of those girls who barely look pregnant at month NINE!

So when we decided we wanted to have another baby, we totally timed it out. We know it is not always on your time line, hence the four years between B and the twins, but we decided we wanted to work it around Andy's president club trip so I would be right at 30 weeks and the doc would still let me travel. At my first visit, I asked him about it and he said that would be fine. I was very happy to hear that and very happy to hear he made the trip and very happy when we found out we were going to be able to have that baby we "planned" out!

It will be weird when we get back from our trip I will only have 8 weeks left of this pregnancy. Even as big as I am, I am not ready to be done with this pregnancy. I like it. I like feeling the baby move and wondering what he or she will look like. I am not one to rush a pregnancy along. I want to savor every moment. I just feel so blessed to even be able to have another baby. So blessed.

I have decided to take my workouts a little more serious. Maybe go back to five days at the gym instead of three or less! I am also going to cut out most of the sugar I am eating. There is just not reason for it. I am not a big sugar eater anyway especially because this pregnancy it has made me sick, but still I am hoping for success.

I just wanted to jot some things down about this pregnancy before I go to bed. Yes it is only 8:30, but more power to me. With as much as I toss around at night, it probably eats up about 2 hours anyway, so why not start off early! I am still sleeping pretty well. Not any major complaints. I do like to have pillows all around me, but I feel like I am getting pretty good sleep, although I only see this lasting about 2 more weeks. We will see...

K, so I am off to bed. Sweet dreams my sweet readers!

Getting ready and being organized

2011-02-20T10:59:00.000-08:00

We just got back from a little weekend get-a-way with the kids. Anytime we get away wether it is a short little trip or a big fun filled trip we always come home with the same thing. Time well spent with each other and no distractions. We decided to take this little journey this weekend so we would spend two whole days just with the kids. No laundry/cleaning/running errands/all those other "chores" getting in the way of our times with the kiddos. I love that.

We just headed up to Chicago. We have not been there in almost 4 years since we moved from there. It was surreal. We drove up to Schaumburg first and went to Ikea, which the kids loved, swam at the hotel pool, did the Medieval Times thing, and then headed into the city. I think part of the reason why we have not been back, even though when we left we promised each other we would head back up every 6 months, is because we just loved and adored every moment there and it was hard going back and seeing a place we cherished so much. I wished we still lived there. I had tears in my eyes when we pulled up to our little flat. I pictured us in the window bringing home our twins, sending our firstborn to Kindergarten, bringing home baby number 4, dental school situations, graduation party, all the amazing friends we had there, you know that sort of thing. I cried. I thought of the people that are there now and had to wonder if they are experiencing the amazement we did while living there. As we drove around visiting all of our usual spots it all looked the same, like we never left, like we still lived there and were just vacationing a while away. It truly was surreal. One funny thing we realized while we were there was how little we really went out to dinner or anything like that. To say we were poor does not even do justice to our financial lives at that time. (I love that I only have happy amazing memories of that time in our life and it just goes to show it does not have anything to do with your income or lack there of:)) Chicago is known for eating establishments. When we were driving around we were trying to figure out where to go, and unfortunately we wanted something fast so nothing too amazing was going to happen, but we ended up at Pot Belly. How funny is that. Yes it is SO SO good and I miss that place all too often, but really? That is where we dined? This makes me laugh! I am also sad we did not get to see any of our dear friends that still live there, but the trip was just too short, but we are going to come up this summer and believe me we will see everyone we have missed so much! To say I miss that wonderful place is an understatement. My heart is truly in Chicago.

On our way home late last night I was thinking of what needs to be done this week, the week before our big excursion away. I was thinking about all the things I need to show our "sitter" and if I have already pre made enough meals, and where everything is that she may need or want. I have to say even I roll my eyes at myself when the labeler comes out or I reorganize what has been reorganized. I have to say though, having someone come stay at your house where they know where nothing is, it comes in handy to have the sheets and kids sheets labeled, or the batteries or hair ties, soaps, first aid and such. It should make it a lot easier on her.

I am just praying that every thing goes well for her. I was just telling Andy last night that if I had to watch all five kids by my self for a week I am not sure I could do it and I am asking this sweet girl to? I just hope it goes well...fingers crossed.

This week extra meals will be made, bags will be packed and I am sure I will clean and reclean everything about a dozen of time just to release some extra energy. I am also positively sure I will shed some tears over leaving my little brood. I have a process I go through when leaving my babies. I am so excited when the trip is planned then I feel very sad to leave them, then I get nervous, then I decide not to go, then I get sick to my stomach and then we go and I am still pretty sick then once we get there, all those nerves and fears disintegrate! This will only be our third time leaving the kids, but each time is just as hard. Luckily the girl that we are leaving them with is super sweet and so loving and "huggy" and I know they will not lack of love while I am gone. I am super excited about that. I don't know I probably hug and kiss each person in the house about 23,000 times a day, I worry when they don't get that!

Another goal I have this week is get Christmas blogged and out of the way so when I get home our trip can be documented right a way! I am so excited!

And now I am signing off after a long random blog post! Hope you enjoyed my ramblings!

The goodies around Christmas

2011-02-11T08:18:00.000-08:00

This year Andy kindly asked me to not volunteer to be head room mother. I was last year and really loved it, but it was a lot a work. Not much help from other parents, and I tend to go a little over board which means late nights and tired me. So Andy convinced me this year especially being pregnant. So no one signed up to be head room mom. One mom decided to kind of take lead and get people to help. I went in to help with the Halloween party and brought some treats, but was not in charge and it was awesome! When Christmas came I planned to do the same thing, and then no one could do the party leaving the teacher left to figure something out, so guess who volunteered. Yes, yours truly. I cannot leave well enough alone, I have to keep pushing it. I will think of something and then think of something to make it better and cannot just let it be. So the result was a really awesome party, but a very wore out room mother!

These were the prizes for our games. To add to the stress I was almost at the school and forget the bingo game and had to go all they way home again. When I finally got back to the school I threw everything in the stroller and went running through the school with everything, 5 minutes late and so sorry I was!

Cookie treats for every one and then little candy bags for take home prizes! This does not seem like that big of a deal until I realized how many 35 really was! It take a long time to do all that!

The yummy cupcakes!

Teacher gifts. We also gave them little gift cards to St. Louis Bread Co.. Now I want St. Louis Bread Co..

I love these beautiful snowflake cookies we make every year!

One night after Family Home Evening, we finally made our Gingerbread house. IT was so fun and the kids had a ball!

Our Favorite Santa!

2011-02-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

We finally made it up to see Santa. Can I just say I love this Santa. When we walked up Bennett looked right at me and said I have never seen a black Santa. The other kids did not even notice one bit. We have always told our kids that all the Santa's we see are just the Real Santa's helpers. Andy thought it was funny and said, isn't Santa they one time they really go off looks for the job? Old, white, chubby? This guy was thin, our age and not white. He was by far our favorite Santa of all time though. He was so cute and kind. When we walked up he said, "ho ho ho, I am not the Santa you are used to seeing am I?" So cute. He took time with each child and talked with each one of them. I loved it so much. When I look back at all the pics of my kids with Santa, I am pretty sure this will always be my favorite!

Waiting for Santa!

ANd more birthday...

2011-02-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

I haven't really blogged about preschool yet. I don't really have any pics of anything and that is probably why. A few months ago around their birthday's I guess, I had been feeling like I needed to do something for the twins. I didn't know what it was. I prayed about it and got no where really. One day Andy said, maybe it is right for the twins to go to preschool. It is not like I am against it by any means, but for our family it was a no go. I do not want to push my kids out of the house any sooner than I had to, so why start earlier than needed? I thought about it, and prayed about it and one morning as we were doing little home preschool I noticed that I was not pushing the twins at all. I was helping Paxton and Maddox, but with the twins, they were kind of stalling on some levels. So I decided to check out the local preschools. It was then that I realized another reason why I had not done it before because it was a small fortune X's TWO! Then I stumbled on this little church preschool just blocks away from our house and fell in love with it. I loved the teachers and the school and the class size and it is just a couple days a week for 3 hours. I loved it. So we started and although I really miss then, it has been one of the best decisions we made last year.

So here they are celebrating their birthdays at school. I left my camera with them to get some extra shots. So adorable. I love these five years olds!

With their teacher and a book of drawings the class made for each birthday child!

Eating their snacks or jello, oreo's and juice!

The whole class!

That night we met Daddy at Monkey Joe's. They had a great time bouncing away!

Then we went to dinner. We should have quit while we were ahead. We were wanting Mexican and we new that they sang happy birthday at this restaurant so we went. The kids were just so tired after Monkey Joe's. You can see how tired Jadeyn is in the bottom picture. Andy was being grumpy for her!

A room full of balloons!

2011-02-11T07:38:00.000-08:00

We decided right before Bennett was five that we would fill a dream of mine for our kids. I always pictured a room full of balloons on my birthday. Doesn't that sound fun? So we decided on their 5th, 10th and 15th bday we will do just that. Bennett loved it when he turned five and is really excited about April when he turns 10! So after the went to sleep the night before their birthday Andy and I got started on the balloon journey. We had 75 in each room! That is a lot of balloons. Unfortunately I was not much help blowing them all up!

They were so excited when they woke up!

How beautiful!

A whole lot of birthday going on

2011-02-11T07:13:00.000-08:00

(For some reason I cannot move my pics once they are in the blog post!!

So they are out of order! Oops!)

My twins are five. MY TWINS ARE FIVE? How can that be? I know I say it all the time, but really? They are getting so big! We celebrated in true E style. We had three parties and the kids did not complain! We just love celebrating around here. We have more like birthweeks around here!

Best cousins! Jadeyn and Natalie. I am so happy that Jadeyn has girl cousins so close. They really love eachother. When Natalie and Julia are here

it for sure seems like a girl dominant home.

I love Julia's face in this pic!

One of his favorite toys...a dart tag game? Or something like that.

J with Grandma Joy.

Opening up some fun things!

Another cake!

Such a pretty cake!

Wishing it was his party too!

The favorite toy of his birthday. A remote control car!

Her favorite! Hello Kitty Makeup. Two of her faves!

They love money and have no idea you use it to buy something!

With Great Grandma!

Mickey and Minnie Cakes!

Our night away

2011-02-11T07:05:00.000-08:00

I look forward to this night every year. It is such a fun tradition now. We get so excited to get dressed up and eat fancy food and stay in a hotel by ourselves! Every year we say we are going to sleep in and neither one of us every can.

We have internal clocks that just wont' let us sleep in.

Getting ready for out night out!

This is at the house where the party is, isn't that tree fabulous?

I love this great room!

This picture I messed up somehow which is sad, because we are by the tree and the back of the house and you can see all the beautiful windows! I love it!

St. Nick

2011-02-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

We celebrate St. Nicks day every year just like I did as a kid. It is a very European/Catholic thing to do, we are neither, but we still like doing it. We fill their stockings that were hung on the door with candies and little treats. This year they got a present too that I have been wanting for almost 10 years and finally broke down and got it. I love it! They did too!

Look how tired and and happy they are in this pic. It makes me laugh!

Here it is in all it's glory!

To Branson we will go...

2011-02-11T06:40:00.000-08:00

Although Branson may be a little cheesy to some, I get it, it is still such a fun place to go with our family. It really helps we have some family there now too. We had never been during the holidays so we decided in November to head down there. IT was really fun. We saw a live Christmas production that was very good. We saw Dixie, the Christmas show, and ate some good food and enjoyed our hotel. The hotel is the kids favorite part. In fact, every single day, every SINGLE day, multiple times a day they play "hotel". They play hotel all day every day to be exact. They just love the real thing so much, why not bring it home I suppose! A big shout out of thanks to Gloria for hooking us up while in Branson with a great hotel, yummy food and discount tickets! We had a blast!

Can I just say,

2011-02-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

that I am so very Thankful for my friends. We were missing a few this weekend, but we were able to have everyone together that was in town together at Brooks house. It is always so fun. When we get together although it has been years since we were in high school, it is like we are taken right back to that time. We have all been friends for a really long time and it is the type of friendship that will only last forever and ever.

Me (looking very tired and too pregnant to only be 19 weeks at the time),

Carrie, Brook, Sandy and Melissa

Giving Thanks...

2011-02-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving it was pretty low key. Well as low key as having 19 people here can be. This was the first year we did not go to my parents house for Thanksgiving. Although we really missed being with my side of the family, a lot, it was really nice just staying home and letting the kids be here and spend time with their cousins.

The day before I made all the pies. I made a yummy peanut butter oreo crust pie, pioneer woman apple pie, pioneer woman pecan pie, pumpkin and a chocolate silk. We had no shortage of pies that is for sure. The spread was so good too. I felt like I was on my feet for two days straight so that was not part of the low key either, but it sure was fun. We got up early and watched the parade and played games and just had a good time the whole day. We all ended up at the movie theater to see Tangled that evening and that movie was SO SO cute. We all loved it.

I love the holidays so much. I just love the extra time we get to have with family.

That is the best part!

The kids gazing at the pies and getting gold fish instead!

Trying to get a family photo. My timer was not working very well.

This picture did not turn out quite like we wanted. We had planned on setting up the timer and after the first picture me saying "ok, on three say Happy Thanksgiving!" Then the second one we said, "Ok on three say Paxton is going to be a big brother!" It would have worked, but everyone was so loud I am not sure anyone really heard!

Oh well, everyone got the memo eventually.

Watching the parade!

The girls love love LOVE Cami!

Random...

2011-02-10T13:14:00.000-08:00

I always have random folders in my photos on my computer that do not really

go with anything else, but that are still so cute...so here they are!

Paxton and Maddox's last day in nursery together at church. I have had at least two and for a whole year I had three kids in nursery and it is so weird now to only have one! I thought Paxton would be sad, but he was just fine. When I would came in to drop something off he was saying the prayer and opened his one eye and shooed my off! He said, "I am a big boy by myself!" Like leave me along mom! Pretty adorable.

I love this boy!

Getting ready for his first day of preschool.

Cortland sitting with his pink night night because the two blues ones and green were in the laundry! He doesn't seem to care a bit!

Jadeyn has her go to pose when the camera comes out! It is so cute and I cannot even count how many pictures I have like this!

Getting a little creative.

This girl is honestly creating something all day long. Coloring and or doing some sort of art or craft. She will sit there and write letters for hours and hours.

Ready for school with a waffle in her hand!

A Sunday Morning

2011-02-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

Every single Sunday I wish I would take pictures of the kids because they look so cute. Well this Sunday I got out the camera. I was wishing I could have snapped one of all of them together, but I did not want to press my luck. Andy has early morning meetings before church so he is not lucky enough to be here in the morning getting every one ready. So the fact that I was able to get pictures taken before we left was nothing short of a miracle. I will have to try that again sometime!

FOOTBALL

2011-02-08T11:33:00.000-08:00

I have said that for 33 years I have made it a point to not be into football. I don't care about it in the least. It probably has something to do with the fact the football was always on in my house growing up. ALWAYS, or we were at a game, or practicing for a game or cheerleading for a game. Lots of football and I did not get it at all nor did I want to, to be honest.

With all that said, this year after a few of being begged to be able to play, we caved. I knew it would be good for Bennett to play, so we did it. We signed him up to play, against my true wishes. In fact we thought about it a little too late and missed the cut off date. Here in O town, football is a BIG deal. They turn away over 100 kids every year. We were put on a waiting list. I knew it did not look good so I painfully told Bennett he probably would not be able to play this year. The sign up guy emailed me and said I know you are on the waiting list, but to be honest, we never pull anyone off there. Maybe the top two kids, but no one ever quits, so the chances are slim, very slim, to none. I was so heartbroken for B. Here his parents, well mom, finally gives in and she didn't sign up in time.

We basically threw the towel in. Then one night at 10:43 I got an email from the same guy and said, this particular coach is tough and he has had 3 kids drop out. You were number 15 on his list and I have contacted everyone and no one has gotten back to me. If I hear back from you by midnight he is on the team. I was so thankful I was actually on the computer that late! We made it. I woke up B to share the good news and he was so so excited. So this started our journey on Pee Wee.

I actually have a lot of pictures, but they are on my other computer so I will have to upload those some day. Here are just a few to show how cute these little guys are. Bennett played center and loved it. He is truly skilled in football. Andy never played and I never liked it and we always joke about how he will probably play college ball and we will all wonder where it came from! I love my little guy. He has a talent and I hope to support him doing this thing he loves. I have to tell ya, I have never in my life been so into sports before this past fall. I can even tell you what a quarterback is and what 1st and 10 means. I never ever knew and I cannot tell you how many times I have cheered that exact phrase!

One cute little thing about Bennett is the first couple of games when he would tackle someone or just if someone went down he would help them up, pat their backs and apologize. He had a hard time with that. Finally after the coach told him several times that they know that happens, that is part of the game, he did not feel quite as guilty, but still helped everyone up. How super cute is that?!?

Did I really not blog about Halloween? Really?

2011-02-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

I thought for sure I blogged about Halloween? How did this happen? Anyway, we had a great Halloween in our usual themed way. I will be so sad when the day comes I do not get to encourage them into what they should be. Although, we do already know what they want to be next year. Should be fun!

This year we went with a Tinker Bell theme. Cortland loves the Return to Neverland Movie and Pirate anything so him being Captain Hook was a given. Well that was until the costume came and then he was kind of scared to actually be him. He would say things like, "what if I turn mean?" or "what if I become bad?". Super sweet. He did like having a sword though. Even if it was thrown away, or should I say "lost" before Halloween actually hit! It was actually not cold either so Jadeyn's costume did not have to be covered up by a coat of any sort. Although by the end of the night, she was a bit cold, poor girl. Maddox was the most perfect little "peta pan" I have ever seen. I wish I would have kept the pirate costume for Paxton that I bought and took back. I just thought we might as well use one we have. He was a cute little monkey and since that is his alter ego, we went with it. Bennett from the moment we started talking Halloween he wanted to be a football player, even though he actually is a football player. We did have to bang him up a bit though to make it interesting. Boys...

We had a great night and luckily it was not just a night of festivities. It was a few weeks of Halloween fun. Such a fun time of year for all of us!

(I for some reason can not view the pictures I am uploading to my blog posts. I would normally write under then what they are and something about the photo, but no such luck!)

Girls Day Out

2011-02-07T20:34:00.001-08:00

I love my girl time with my one and only girl! IT is always a blast. It is so cute too because even if we go no where and we are just doing something together in the house, she will say, is this girls day? I love it. I always say, if I only get to have one girl, I am so lucky she is the one!

One Saturday we went out to a mall that is farther than I wish. Just her and I. We walked around, had lunch, she rode the carousel and we just loved being together. She even got some free clothes out of the deal! Everything she would do she would say, I have got to tell the boys about this. So cute.

It was just a couple of weeks after Christmas so she had to bring her favorite gift. Her stroller is a prized possession around here. She looks so adorable pushing that around.

Heard around the house...

2011-02-07T17:40:00.001-08:00

Or seen I suppose. Or what happens to be going on right about now.

Bennett is growing like crazy and I am in total denial that he will be 10 in the spring. I love that he is still into his mom. He is not embarrassed by me or his family. He loves to play games with us or watch a movie or just hang out. He is not a child that has to be at someones house all the time or have someone over, he is content and I pray hard that can continue for quite some time. He won in the pinewood derby and gets to go to district. (whatever that is:)) At his parent teach conference which was a long time ago the teacher told me that he does so well in school, but she is most impressed by his concern for others and how he is genuinely nice to every one. That makes me more happy than straight A's for sure. Math is his favorite subject and she reassured us of that. I have always known this. This is the kids that would come home from Kindy so sad he did not have homework and have me make up notebooks and notebooks of multiplications problems. So cute. For some national testing they did the school ranked? 67%, the state 62% and Bennett had a 98.9%. Yeah, I would say he likes math. The teacher said no one finished the math portion so that is why he missed the 1.1% I am guessing! So funny! I had to do that math, he did not get it from me obviously! I love him and there is no doubt he was supposed to be the leader and first in our family. It was his role our family. He is not perfect by any means, this year he has decided that he can say no if he wants to gain some independence and we have taught him that in certain situations that is great, in most situations with us, not so much! He working on that!

Jadeyn is still twirling with the best of them. The other night on our way home for a date night, we were talking about how much we really really love our kids. We talked about all their personalities at birth. Jadeyn was wide eyed and ready to take on this beautiful world. Andy said if we knew what we know now, we would know she was wanting to scream out, "just give me some hair to twirl and I will be fine!" We got a good laugh at that.

She is really wanting this baby to be a girl, although she is prepared for a boy. She still thinks his name should be rock climber and for the life of me I have no idea where that came from. She kisses my stomach nearly every hour and always is talking about what she is going to do with her baby. She is SO excited to have a new baby in our home. She is just tickled

about it. She really wants someone to share a room with, so for her sake, it would be great if this was a girl. She is the only one that has her own room. I am sure in about 10 years though, she would be perfectly happy with that. Or maybe not. I still wish I had a sister to share a room with.

Cortland who just had a major accident yesterday is still my soft little boy. He fell last night and bit through his tongue, nearly all the way through. It was bad. Very bloody and sad. Andy took him up to his office to do stitches because he said it was one of the worst mouth wounds he has ever seen. He got up there and it was a no go. He would not let him do it. Even on nitrous. So he came home and most of the night while he was sleeping he would moan and groan. Poor little guy. It made me so so sad. This morning though he was still in pain, it looked SO much better! I love how quickly the mouth heals!

Although he is my sentimental one, he is also my most boyish one too. He likes anything sword-ish and stuff like that. He will make anything a sword, which I hate. He is still attached to his "nite-nites" and had the best most kissable cheeks! I love to kiss him and tell him all the time how much I love him. When I ask if he knows how much I love him he says, yes. I ask how and he says "because nobody didn't tell me". I have NO idea what that means, but it is so so cute when he says it. I love it! He gets asked that a lot!

Maddox is so cute and so fun. I mentioned before in his birthday post how he has an accent that is sort of a English/long island accent. It melts my heart. He always say "this is for Lata" instead of later. Just today I noticed he said it the correct way and I kid you not, I had a tear in my eye.

Another Maddoxism is when we are doing our morning or evening jobs if he is not into it, he will always say, "I'm too busy". He will actually be sitting there doing nothing at all. It is his way to say, I am not doing it. He does it. I still love when he says it though.

Paxton is talking like crazy. He says the cutest things. Like when you are playing catch which he loves to do, if you catch it he says, "you win!". It is so cute. He says things that seriously make me shake my head! How does he know these things already? He amazes me by what he learns. He can almost spell his name. Which we just got done with the twins learning that. If you ever ask him if he is my baby, he will say "no I'm monkey!" When he goes down for a nap or bedtime if he does not fall asleep right away he will walk out of his room and downstairs and say all cheerfully, "I wake up!" like he had been sleeping. It is so funny.

I think it is safe to say I like this monkey. He is such a perfect addition to our family.

Paxton bumped his lip and had a puffy lip and he wanted a bandaid. So cute@

Andy is still in love with his job. It makes me so happy I have a husband that absolutely adores his job. It is like a day of fun for him. Even when drug seekers call at 2 in the morning. He still likes it! He made Presidents Club through work which we are all very excited! We were close. Very close. I am not even sure what it all takes other than a lot. A LOT. It is a lot of work and very hard to reach. They have to make it a hard goal to reach, because they go all for those who make it. We got really lucky and are so so so so excited to go in just 21 short days!!! I am so lucky to have a husband who doesn't look at house work as my work. He is so helpful!

(this picture is so weirdly cropped. What happened?)

I am chugging along in this pregnancy. Still surprised I am 28 weeks or so and have no idea what I am having. I want to be able to bond with the baby. I want to plan and prepare, but I am very surprised I am not having a harder time. I am impressing my impatient self. I have gotten some sort of my "Steam" back because I have been organizing up a storm! I love it. I am not sure Andy does, but he humors me. I also have plans of a laundry room redo! I am excited to see how it turns out. This weekend, I hope!

We are currently looking for a bigger car. We will see how that goes. I am looking for very specifics at the price I want. It is looking to be tougher than I was hoping! I think we are going with a Yukon XL. We will see!

In other great news...I have new niece and she is presh! I am in love with her. If this is a boy, I will have a girl to love on whenever I want! I just love her. So is so adorable.

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That is what is going on in our neck of the woods. There is much more I am sure, but I just wanted to jot some things down while they are fresh in my mind!

The joys of pregnancy

2011-02-03T06:27:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here in a quiet house, only two kids are awake. It is truly amazing how quiet just two kids are. Or even three, and sometimes four. Take one child away and it is a whole other ball game. It is strange. Although I have to say, my kids volume level goes up a few levels anytime anyone is here and it drives me a little crazy. Anyway, this post is not about that.

I am getting ready to head out the door for a doctor appointment. I think I am like 28 weeks? I am not even sure to be honest. That IS what this post is about. I was thinking about my first pregnancy and this pregnancy and how different they are. First of all, the biggest obvious, I am almost 10 years older now than I was the first go around. TEN years! That seems crazy to me. Ten years is a lot of years. It does seem real at all or possible. When I was twenty..., well lets just say younger, I had a lot more energy and was able to stay up a lot later. I had a ton of friends going through the same things and being pregnant. I was much more sick, and had random problems like carpal tunnel, planter warts and teeth problems that did not quit! BUT, and that is a big BUT, I could handle it. I was only 23 years old. This time I have had none of those problems, but I could not handle them now either with five other children and again, being ten years older.

I get to take the glucose test today which I loathe. I cannot handle the taste of the stuff. It is disgusting and rude to make any one, much less a pregnant woman, much less a pregnant woman who cannot stand sugar at the time, take it. I seriously hate soda of any kind, so this stuff pushes me over the edge. It is always weird to me when I hear someone say, it wasn't that bad, or even worse, they liked it! Sick. I have never have sugar problem either and I wish at least after three children they would let you skip by them with the other pregnancies. How great would that be? I have found though if I run my finger under water, a suggestion from the lab tech last year, it goes down a little better. I know it is all in my head, but whatever works!

Another difference this time around is the fact that I want this pregnancy to linger out as long as it wants. My first I was ready to meet the second I found out I was expecting. I hope another difference is this one weighs less than my first too. He was so so so cute, but 11 pounds is a little much, I am thinking even 8 pounds will do too.

I am just so thankful to be able to welcome another sweet babe into our family and home. I feel so blessed. I know not every one can understand why we would want another baby, making our children total an even six, but there is not one moment of my life that I would wish it being any other way. I am grateful for what I have been given and feel humbled to be able to bring another baby into this world.

I am a self proclaimed, big old MUSH!

2011-01-22T20:29:00.000-08:00

I am sentimental. I am VERY sentimental and that is probably an understatement. The words I love you fly out of my mouth many many times probably every single hour. I do not use these words lightly by any means. I just truly love the people I am telling.

Tonight I was looking up a recipe on the computer and Jadeyn, who has inherited my mushiness, ran up to me, hugged me, squeezed me and said, "Mom, I love you. A lot." She then ran off to find her baby "Sohpie" and love on her. I think my kids were born with this sense of gratitude towards their family, but I also think a lot of is is learned.

As she was running away, I noticed her little barely five year old body in her pink fuzzy, footed jammies and I had tears well up in my eyes. I am so grateful I adore these moments, but it pains me to think of how fast life is passing us by. That little body, that seems so big to me after watching some home videos when the twins were just one and Maddox was born, now all of a sudden seems so small. Everything she does revolves around me and our family and I love it that way.

There is a season for everything and I am aware of that, and I pray everyday that instead of focusing on how fast it is all going to just enjoy every single moment we have together. I often say I wish I could just freeze time right now, or maybe in May. I would have a newborn and a two year old, a four year old and two five year olds and a fabulous 10 year old! (TEN, yikes...) I need a pause button, because I just can't imagine life getting better than this!

It is finally here!

2011-01-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

Oh Maddox. The day is nearly here. Tomorrow you will be FOUR YEARS OLD! I am not sure I have ever, ever seen anyone so excited for their birthday. Just the mention of it sends you to the moon and back. You are so excited about this special day. I think because you feel like you are a triplet, and have to wait after the twins birthday it is so hard to wait a whole three weeks for it to actually come! It is hard. I know, I like birthdays just as much as you.

Tomorrow you will wake up and it will be your day. The house will be filled with green and only green balloons. You will run a few errands with me, just you. You will even get to hear your new brother or sisters' heartbeat. You will have a special lunch with daddy at the "balloon place" you will attend your brother and sister's belated Christmas program and we will finish it with the dinner of your choice and some beautifully wrapped green presents. I am so excited for your day. Tomorrow will be a day of all things happy.

For about two weeks now every morning you wake up you say, "see mom, I am big. Wook at me...I'm big!" It is really cute and really funny especially because if truth be told, you are a tiny little guy. I can see that you are getting taller and your feet and hands are abnormally big compared to your tiny frame and only weighing around 28 pounds.

Your eyes tell stories that words could not begin to tell. You sparkle. You shine. There is something extra special about you. Your accent, even though you have never been to England or Long Island. You colic right above your eyes that still takes me back to the day you were born, the way you express you're mad or frustrated by talking really fast and basically saying the same thing over and over. Your passion for green and chocolate, or shall I say Choco-lit. The way you brother Paxton like you are decades older and wiser, always looking out for him and never ever even once saying a unkind word or using an unkind gesture towards him. Your love for shopping and have I mentioned your love for green? Yes? Well it needs to mentioned a few times. You love to sleep in the hall for some reason, which I think is funny. Your little stork bite gets brighter when you are crying or get mad. Your eyes are dark and your hair too. You remind me often that "mom, you and me have black hair the same." I love that bond about us little man.

I sometimes feel sad that your life has seemed to go by so fast. When Jadeyn and Cortland were only 4 months old you decided it was time to make your appearance in our family. I still remember the shock I felt when I took not one, nor two or even three, but 12 pregnancy tests and found out you were indeed coming. You restored my faith in myself that day. I was nervous, how could I do this I thought, but I knew without one single doubt you were meant to come to us when you did. Your life blessed us in ways I cannot even begin to describe. The love I felt for you that very moment is not the normal kind of love. It is the love only some very lucky people are able to feel.

It is weird for me to think that this whole year you were only 3. That is little. That is really little. You have always seemed so grown up, probably because in essence you were the same as J and C. You talked so much, you did the same things they do, you are at their level on so many things. I would just have to squeeze you every day and tell you to slow down, stay a baby. Be my baby.

You were the most pleasant baby I have had. All of my babies have been a dream. That is part of the reason I do not feel any need to stop having them! It is a breeze! You slept like a champ, at like one too. I remember one time you had just turned four months old and daddy asked me if I had heard you cry yet. We both realized then, that you hadn't really yet. The day you were born they whisked you away to the NICU. (What is up with all my babies feeling the need to visit that place? Well all of them, but the twins, which is just weird in itself!) It has been about 5 hours and I had still not seen you yet. I was so so sad. I finally convince a nurse to wheel me down to the nicu in my bed. Now to back up just a moment, daddy kept going to check on you and ALL he would say was "He is SO SO SO SUPER SWEET!" I heard this more than a dozen times and finally had to ask, well isn't he cute. He told me that you were beyond cute, but your sweetness was above and beyond overwhelming. Well as the nurse wheeled me in, she passed up a darling little tiny baby and I said, out loud, "can't that baby be mine? He is SO cute and so sweet!" She told me know and kept moving then stopped suddenly and told me I was in luck. We already passed you up and my baby was the one I wanted after all! I would have taken any baby truth be told, but I felt so beyond blessed at that moment that you were mine. I have not for once this entire almost 4 years of your life felt any differently. Not once.

You are a special treat my dear sweet Maddox. I can't describe the passion for life you have or the zest for it either, but it is endearing. You are a force. You have bright things in your future. You are someone I am and will be so proud to say I even know, much less be the mother of. You hold so much "incredibleness" in your tiny little almost four body. I love you more than you love the color green or choco-lit. I hope you forever know that.

Happy Birthday sweet boy. The day has come. You are four, tomorrow. Now can we talk about time slowing down bit so I can eat up every moment with you. I love you sweet son.

Pointing out to me that it was green!

So sad it was not your birthday too!

Always sharing with your brother's and sister!

You certainly have passion for life!

You are SO tiny, I have yet to find a pair of pants that will actually stay on or up!

The New Year

2011-01-05T12:28:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe we have entered a new year, ALREADY! Where does the time go? Just last night Bennett, 9, said, "does it seem to you like the months go by really really fast?" Ah, yes it sure does. And he is 9! Time surely doesn't move quite a quickly as it does for an adult, right?

I cannot tell you how many times during my days, months, years I wish for this time in my life to just slow down already. I struggle with time moving too fast. I just adore this moment in my life and I do not want it to pass by this quick.

Anyway, each year about this time of year Andy and I really try to focus on our goals for our family and our personal goals. Normally the first Family Home Evening of the year, which we have on Monday nights, we discuss the goals with the the kids. This past Monday we were all wiped out from the constant party at our home over the holiday so we will hold FHE tonight. This year I have been really trying hard to come up with a great family motto for us. It can be just one word that has great meaning, or a phrase or a scripture. I have been thinking about it for weeks and think I have finally decided on one. Our kids will hear this a lot this coming year, I promise.

I keep a little journal notebook in my desk drawer and every year start a new one and pack away my old one. It is fun to look back and see what was on the grocery list, to do list, to craft list, to call list, to pay off list...you know the lists. Andy teases me about making lists for my lists. I will not lie, I have done that before. I am a big list maker. If I walk into a store without my list, anxiety hits like a ton of bricks. It does not bode well for me. So I will keep on with my list making.

This years journal already has goals filling the pages, things to do for my new primary calling and birthday planning for Maddox. I love having it at my finger tips to jot down whatever I am thinking or needing at the time.

Some of my big goals this year are just that. Big. I have them down to Family goals, personal goals, goals as a mother and homemaker. The two goals I have for my children is to teach them patience and self control. The concept of not going form 1 to 10 in a half of a second when something doesn't work or work to their advantage is a big thing to teach. Especially when they are little. Patience is something they are pretty good with, but being raised in a larger than the norm family, it is something that will have to be instilled in to them.

Personal goals are the normal goals I make for myself every year. Read more, especially the scriptures, I have a goal to read the whole BofM by my birthday. Pay attention to everything I am eating. When I am not pregnant I am so aware of this and when I am, not so much. Should be the other way I around, I agree. Move more, up earlier, prepare more and earlier, go the distance, pay even more attention to detail and those kind of things.

As for Family goals we have a few. Most of them we already do, but it is good to reinforce them. As I mentioned, Family night. Family council every week where we discuss the weeks agenda, our goals, our needs. Reading with the family every single night. An ensign article discussed at the table every morning or as close as many mornings as we can. Up earlier with a more relaxing morning to benefit from it. I am going to incorporate a family award that when we see you doing something special for someone or something in the home that you normally do not, you get an award along with your name on our board. We are going to have a game night once a week that that is all we do. Have the three middle kids do more jobs than the past. Now typing it all out it seems a bit daunting, but my kids really love structure and they really love to do anything that makes them feel like they are helping. They will sure love all these ideas.

I love the newness of the year and I love the goals we can all make. Resolutions, not so much, but goals that can only help us become better than we were the day before is my thing. So here's to making a better tomorrow!

Feeling like a kid...

2010-12-22T21:47:00.000-08:00

It seems like this time of year gets people a little more anxious, a little more hurried, a little more stressed which is odd because isn't it the time of year that more than ever we should be enjoying one another and feeling peace and mindful of the reason why we celebrate this season.

Don't get me wrong, there is something kind of fun about the hustle and bustle. Something invigorating about it all. And this year I have decided I do not want the holiday to pass by without remembering much from so much going on. We have been doing a Christmas activity every single night, which isn't always easy, but I am always super happy we did it. We have even played a game with Bennett every single night. I like that I will be able to look back and remember these moments.

This year I have been very blessed because I do not feel stressed or anxious at all. I got my shopping done early, kept everything pretty organized and once Bennett's school party was over, which was yesterday, I was breathing a lot easier and felt the Christmas spirit stronger than ever.

On the way to Andy's office today we all sang Christmas carols. I get tears in my eyes just thinking about their little voices singing to their little hearts content. Jadeyn did a little solo of Silent Night and I know that will be a moment I will think of fondly forever. Her tiny little feminine voice singing such a reverent song about such a wonderful night.

Tomorrow is my day to finish up my baking and the wrapping. Here is a little secret about me. I hate with a passion, wrapping. I detest it. Luckily my mom has offered to come and help. I always have visions of these beautifully wrapped gifts and then when it comes down to it, I go to get it done mode. Hopefully tomorrow will go as I hope in the wrapping department.

This was Andy's last day of work for four whole days. I was a like a little girl tonight when I got the call he was on his way home. I cherish every moment I get to spend with him. I adore that guy and honestly cannot get enough of him. Hands down, he is my greatest gift.

I normally get my cards out the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I like to get them out early. Not this year though. They will be more like New Years cards. I am really sad about that. I had the hardest time formatting my picture for the card and finally when I figured it out and got them sent out the return time was way longer than I expected. So hopefully they will be out in the mail tomorrow. I am really sad that they did not go out sooner!

I am overwhelmed by the Christmas spirit this year and am so thankful for it. I feel like I can pause more often to reflect on why this is such a special holiday. I feel like I can cherish each moment with my kids better and relish in my time with my sweet husband of mine. I am so happy for the next four days. The only thing I am sad about is it all ending.

I truly hope everyone enjoys this holiday season and can spend it with the ones you love the most. I feel like a little kid the days before Christmas. You can hardly contain your joy. I hope everyone can feel this same way this year. It is my Christmas wish.

Being preggo with number 6

2010-12-14T10:15:00.000-08:00

Wow, can I just that this pregnancy could not be any different than my others? It is so weird! With my last pregnancy, I threw up every single day and I would say I averaged throughout the entire nine months, 9 times a day. Even the very last day of the pregnancy I threw up. I was so so sick. I took so many different meds, it felt like all the time and all I did was just lay on the couch. Which looking back, I am not sure how I did that with a 7 year old and two 2 years olds and a 1 year old...hmmm. I had to have Iv's because of dehydration and I could not even keep down the pills that were supposed to make me fell better. It was no fun.

This time around, even up to like week 10 at my first appointment, I even questioned if I was pregnant. I was not sick at all. Normally I feel it and throw up before I even take a pregnancy test and this time was so so different. No sickness at all. So crazy and weird. I am not complaining just not what I was used to and just didn't feel pregnant.

At 6 weeks I got really tired. I mean, REALLY tired. Like I seriously couldn't imagine making dinner or even pouring milk for breakfast. I dreaded walking up the stairs and that was when I decided every one will dress themselves. Crazy tired. So I thought, that would be my struggle this time.

At my 14 week appointment, the nurse said it should go away by about 14 weeks. I didn't believe her. That is what everyone said about being sick too. Never happened for me. But you know what? Later that week I got my energy back. I was like a mad woman around here. I went from barely being able to hold my head up, to the person I like to be. I got projects done like you would not believe, Christmas shopping done, house looking OH SO MUCH better. It was great.

I guess the one thing that I found to be on the bright side of being so sick with the others, is I was constantly thinking about them. Always connected to my sweet baby. Every time I would throw up I would just think how great it was going to be to hold my new precious baby. This time though, I have to literally remind myself I am even expecting.

The first trimester flew by and we decided it was time to tell our families. We waited to tell every one around 18 weeks which was Thanksgiving. I had great ideas how I was going to tell everyone and every single one of them flopped. For my family I had a shirt on Paxton that said big brother and no one got it. I nearly spelled it out for my mom, and nothing. Finally after a day of being with her, Bennett said, "Grandma do you get it???Paxton. Big brother?" Finally the light bulb went on. For Andy's family at Thanksgiving I was taking big group photos of everyone and for the last one I said, "Ok on the count of three every one say, Paxton is going to be a big brother!" Well there was so much talking and laughing going on, I am not sure anyone heard! Oh well. Every one know now either through that or cards I made and sent out and we are excited that everyone is in the KNOW now.

Our ultrasound was yesterday. We had gone back and forth about finding out this time. Let me say that I honestly believe it is crazy not to find out. I don't get it. I really don't. People say it is so fun to be surprised, but I am surprised at 20 weeks when I find out? I like to be prepared and ready to go, I want to truly enjoy this new person when they are born not be thinking about other things when they come into this world. That being said, everyone and their dog says to us, even when they did not know we were having another baby, "Oh we so hope it is a girl" and everything else attributing to us having a girl. Yes I would love another girl, for sure! I never though or expected Jadeyn to be my only girl. I always wanted a large family and I it was always important to me for my girls to have sisters and my boys to have brothers. So don't get me wrong, I would love another girl. Who doesn't love pink and all those cute girls clothes? BUT!!!! I will not be sad if this is a boy. I will be very very happy. In fact, I am so sure it is a boy for the past 16 weeks that I have connected to him. I know him. I have a bond with him. Already. If it is a girl as weird as this sounds, I will miss him, but will be extremely happy to hold a sweet little girl in my arms too! SO, either way we are thrilled beyond belief.

So we went into the ultrasound and after seeing everything looked perfect about 40 minutes into it, being that the baby is transverse, we could get no shot at all of any gender indicators. The cord is going right down the tummy and over the "parts". Andy and I were sure sure sure it was a boy, until we walked out of that room and we both looked at each other and said, "that was a girl?" So who knows...we don't. That is for sure.

I am hoping he will do another scan just so I can know. I really hope. I don't think I want to be on team green or yellow, but what team I do like being on is a mom to six! I am truly blessed.

I'm back in the blogging world

2010-12-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

The night before my "babies" birthdays I always reflect on my good ole blog. Last night was no different. I was reading post from when they were wee ones and their birth story and all those fun little posts where they literally little babies. So adorable.

Then last night as we were blowing up 150 balloons, I was feeling a little down that I haven't been better about blogging. So I am hoping to start again. I am SO behind and that is honestly that was one of the reasons why I couldn't start back up. I am going to go from here though. I will recall special events that need to be remembered, but I am going to take my time.

I know how important it is to keep a journal of sorts. I love reading the things I wrote even just as of last year. It is fun to see the stages my children are in as well as myself.

So here is to a whole new blog life...it's a start!

The day I had been waiting for!

2010-12-14T07:30:00.001-08:00

My babies are five today. It doesn't seem real or possible to be honest. How can five years really go that fast? I really can't muster up the words that really describe how I feel about my twins, as I sometimes refer to them. The love I have for them goes beyond words, beyond ways I could truly express what they mean to me and what they did for me.

After we had Bennett, I knew we wanted a large family and knew I wanted another little one fairly quick after we had Bennett. I thought we would wait a year and when Bennett turned a year old we were ready. I had already been pregnant twice before this moment, one ending in miscarriage and one ending with our beautiful boy, so I did not think for a moment we would have a hard time conceiving.

Well that simple dream crashed a burned about a year into "trying". We moved from Utah to Chicago to start our endeavor in dental school, took a short break from trying and regrouped and decided it was time.

Well throughout three very long years nothing was working. I felt broken. I remember every month that dreaded day, just having tears run down my face and question why this would happen to me. Why would such a righteous desire be with held from me? I was confused and hurt. I remember one particular night while saying my prayers, saying to Andy, "I would just rather have too many, than not enough babies." I only used the term too many because in my book, that did not exist. I rolled over that night and fell asleep crying and woke up crying.

A few months later Andy was video taping Bennett reading stories to his animals in bed and he kept calling them Jadeyn and Cortland. Andy, on video, said "who is Jadeyn and Corltand?" Bennett said, "They are my brother and sister. They are coming soon you know." Andy told him that brother and sisters normally come one at a time, but that did not discourage Bennett in the slightest. Bennett wanting a sibling SO bad did not help my wanting a baby so bad in any way. I was mourning for him now.

Cut to two or three months later while I was running on my treadmill the nurse called me and said, we got your blood work back and by the looks of your numbers, you could be having triplets. I remember the treadmill was still going strong and I was sitting right next to it and just began to cry. This time though, they were such tears of joy. Tears that had never felt so good.

I did not for a second believe that I was pregnant with triplets or twins for that matter, but it was confirmed that I was indeed pregnant. I felt as if I had waited for so long. I knew them instantly. I loved them beyond belief. They restored my faith in myself, in life. I felt like the family I had dreamed of was going to not just be a dream, but a reality.

Infertility is not a fun thing. It is tough. The thing that makes is so hard, is no one could understand the pain and grief it causes. Even if you have been through it. People would look at us now and never think we had fertility problems. We are expecting our 6th child for goodness sake. It just goes to prove you never know about any situation for sure. I am just so happy that through those years of wanting a baby, I was able to love on the baby I had. I am grateful for those moments in our lives because they made me stronger, they helped develop the person I am. They are moments I cherish and honestly think of fondly.

Today Jadeyn has had me tell the "birth day" story about five times already. Every time when I get to the part when I say, "The nice doctor handed me baby A and said, here is your sweet tiny baby girl!" she gets the biggest smile on her face and cannot contain her excitement. I know how she feels, because I feel it every time I think of that great day five years ago.

I am one lucky mama to have such beautiful, healthy children whom I adore. I feel blessed beyond belief. Happy Birthday to my sweet twins. I can not thank you two enough for blessing me with two more people to adore my whole life.

talkin' cookie

2010-08-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

I am a cookie kind of girl. I don't care for cakes, I don't care for pies, I don't care for sweets a lot, but I do love cookies. I love a good chocolate chip cookie and peanut butter blossoms the best. Well that is until I came across this little beauty of a recipe. Oh. So. Good! You have to make these like right, right now! Of course they came from my beloved Pioneer Woman!

The Best Cookies you will ever eat!

{or at least I think so;)}

Ingredients
1 cup Shortening (Crisco)
1 cup Packed Brown Sugar
1 cup Sugar
2 whole Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1-½ cup All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
3 cups Quick Oats
½ cups Finely Chopped Pecans
Preparation Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening with both sugars until well combined.
In a separate bowl, beat eggs together. Add vanilla and stir to combine. Add to the shortening/sugar mixture and mix well.
In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Mix carefully into the egg/shortening mixture until well combined. Now add the quick oats and mix well again. Finally add the finely chopped pecans and mix well to combine.
Divide the dough in half and place each half of the dough onto a sheet of waxed paper. Roll the dough into a log and then wrap it tightly in the waxed paper. Now you can either chill or freeze the dough until later or you can go ahead and slice the dough evenly into cookie rounds.
When you are ready to bake them place them on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until they are golden brown.

What I like to do is make about 4 batches and freeze three rolls! They are so nice to slice up when people are coming over or take to a friend!

A new blog

2010-08-24T14:45:00.001-07:00

Every time we get back from Disney, I have so many things running through my mind and I think, I should just start a blog! This time, I did! IT is not that great by any means and in it's very early stages, but I can't stop thinking about things to put in there! So if you want to take a peak, even though it isn't quite ready yet, go ahead! Enjoy!

http://terica-disneytipsandtravelingtricks.blogspot.com/

Goals...

2010-08-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one that is constantly setting new goals??? I think that with the start of the new school year, as this happens every year, it gives me the motivation to reevaluate and see what needs a little tune up.

This week I have a few goals that have to get done. First and foremost! LAUNDRY! We just got back from another Disney trip {more on that later} and I have mounds of laundry to do. I am just not looking forward to that. I don't mind doing it, it is the putting away and all that stuff that does not sound too fun to me.

Another goal for this week is to get this blog more current, print pics from my frames in the basement, and get my booty back to the gym! Even though I was sweating like crazy, Disney is NOT the place to go in August!, and was walking all day, I gained four pounds! That is frustrating. My treadmill is calling my name! I am also planning on finishing my cookbook that I have been working on for far too long!

My goals for this school year are just some that I am adding to my current goals. Like, I am making myself pack B's lunch every night before school. I also want to be better about making Bennett study. Last year he would come home without any homework ever, because he would do it at school, but I think it is good for kids to study every day to keep their brains going. So I have different things I am doing with him every day after school and then he gets to read for 20 minutes before he goes to sleep in his bed. I also want to be better about reading my scriptures. My day always ends up going better when this is done. So before the little ones get up, that is what I will be doing. I will also keep up with my marathon a week along with my 30 day shred every other day.

So there you have it. I am still not sure on this starting school stuff. I miss him. A lot. Every year about this time I wish I home schooled. Why do "they" get him the whole day?

Just playing!

2010-07-27T21:51:00.001-07:00

This baby is just so much fun! He loves to play. He knows he is loved by all of us and we all love to play with him. He is so cute when he counts. He literally thinks you count like this...ONE, TWO, THREE, I get you! There is no four or he says I get you and then says four. Apparently we play a lot of tag around here! I love this boy and he is my baby and forever will be.

HE loved playing with this bundle we got from Sams. He would color on there, and play with his toys, it was like a little archetit desk. So cute!

They love this aqua doodle as do I. They all color on there forever! No mess, which is even better! Please note the denim diaper. How cute is that!

Looking old

2010-07-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

At least I am not feeling old...yet.

I remember a few years ago a good friend of mine said that one day she was looking in the mirror and noticed lines and wrinkles that should could have sworn were not there the day before! I remember looking at these photos and thinking I am not longer in my twenties am I! I mean literally I am well beyond my twenties, but I feel like I am 24. That must have been a good year for me because when someone asks how old I am I always think 24! I am far far from 24, so I am not sure what that is all about.

Anyway, have fun dissecting this horribly looking old face!

Can we day deep wrinkle cream???

and holy bags under my eyes!

The Lazy Days of Summer

2010-07-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

This poor little boy cannot keep pants up ever! It could have something to do with barely being 30 pounds and being 3 and a half!

This baby could not be any cuter!

I am not sure how this saying came about, but man this does not depict our summers. I had so many plans for this summer and feel like I never have time for anything! I have tried super hard to make time for our pool. I love having a pool. It is so nice! The kids are just little fishies. They would spend all day there. I just love being there because nothing else is on our minds, but enjoying being together!

Desperate Times...

2010-07-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

Certainly call for DESPERATE MEASURES!!!

These photos would be even funnier if the were turned the right way! We went to my grandparents house for dinner and somehow left the house without diapers. Well Paxton had a little accident and we needed a diaper. Luckily my grandma had some of these on hand. {she would kill me if she knew I was posting this, but she does not even have a computer so I know she will not be checking out the ole blog anytime soon!}

While outside getting ready to leave Andy was laughing so hard and I could not for the life of me figure out what was so darn funny. Then he lifted up Paxton's shirt and told me he didn't have a diaper so he looked around and found this! I laughed so hard and I am still chuckling every time I think about it. How super funny is this?

Cobbler anyone?

2010-07-27T21:18:00.000-07:00

Andy's parents have a blackberry bush that gives tons of blackberry's and we are always the lucky recipients of lots and lots of blackberry's. You name it and we have tried it with blackberry's. My favorite is blackberry yogurt, which is big for me because I cannot stand that stuff. We also like it in smoothies or shakes, but we always make lots and lots of times is The Pioneer Woman's Blackberry Cobbler. It is SO Divine! Here is the recipe. Go to your in laws right now, get some blackberry's and bake away!

Pioneer Woman's Blackberry Cobbler

Ingredients
1 stick Butter
1-¼ cup Sugar
1 cup Self-Rising Flour
1 cup Milk
2 cups Blackberries (frozen Or Fresh)
Preparation Instructions
Melt butter in a microwavable dish. Pour 1 cup of sugar and flour into a mixing bowl, whisking in milk. Mix well. Then, pour in melted butter and whisk it all well together. Butter a baking dish.
Now rinse and pat dry the blackberries. Pour the batter into the buttered baking dish. Sprinkle blackberries over the top of the batter; distributing evenly. Sprinkle ¼ cup sugar over the top.
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until golden and bubbly. If you desire, sprinkle an additional teaspoon of sugar over the cobbler 10 minutes before it’s done.

The Magic House

2010-07-27T20:51:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was in the third grade we took a field trip to the Magic House and it was sure a special treat. I dreamed of going back there with my kids and said I would take them there all the time. Well we have lived here for three years and we finally made it.

There is a website called groupon and they send you specials everyday and this particular day was for the magic house. You got 5 tickets for 20 bucks. That is a steal. I think tickets are normally 12 maybe...not sure on the price, but still a great deal! So we grabbed some of those up and off we were the very next day.

The kids loved it and we all had a good time. We stayed there pretty much the whole day and then finished the day off at the Home Goods Store, one of my personal faves, El Pollo Loco and topped it off with Dunkin Doughnuts which just came back to the Lou. It was such a fun day. It felt like we were back on vacation. I just love all these moments with my little family. There is nothing better!

How cute is it that they walk hand in hand?

Literal musical chairs

Pax was in Heaven with all the balls!

Be in a bubble!

Concentrating!

This was my favorite little spot. It was like a little market. We had so much fun shopping and then paying for it and playing with the cash registar. So cute and fun!

How adorable is this...I want to do this in my future house someday!

T-Ball

2010-07-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Entirely too many t-ball pics

I have no idea why they are not turned the right way...this bugs me!

With their coach who was so cute with them.

J with her trophy!

Getting her trophy. The coach said cute little things about each one of them.

Cort excited about that trophy!

Madd man.

Cute Cort.

I LOVE these two photos. She would start her throw like the photo above and end it with the photo below. How stinkin' adorable is that?!?

This little guy kept up with the rest of him and for being so little he sure had some power behind his hits!

Little P diddy had to be in on the action!

Maddox being stylish on the field.

J preparing to bat!

Keeping up with his brothers and sister!

We made up like 87% of the team. Good thing we made it to all of the games!

These three played t-ball this year. Luckily the parks and rec department allowed my three year old to be on the four year olds team. They had so much fun. I just love these little guys playing. It is so adorable!

Problems in blogsphere

2010-07-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

How come anytime I make some time to sit down and blog something goes wrong! My pictures are uploading sideways and my header is giving me a headache. Normally it says, fit to size, but it won't do that now. Oh gosh, I had like five posts in the works, but I think now I will take a nap!

Best Brothers

2010-07-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

I just love these three

and I LOVE that they LOVE eachother.

A late night

2010-07-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

The Great Peach Extravaganza Yesterday around 8:00 pm my father in law brought us 3 bushels of peaches, or maybe even more! He picked them at someones farm that he knows, the only downfall was that they were riiiiiiiiiiipe. So ripe they needed to be tended to right away. SOooo, that leads us to a really late night and a very sticky floor!

I started peeling right away and it took us till about midnight to get them all peeled. The nice things was since they were so ripe, the peelings just came right off. I ended up making a late night run to Walmart because I didn't have any new seals.

I started the peaches and had them canned and then decided while I was waiting for it all to process I might as well make a cobbler, Paula Dean's cobbler no less, and three of my favorite peach pies. I also did some jam and some juice and had some to freeze for later use. It all turned out great. I am planning making some more pies and freezing them because I plan on sharing these pies with some friends.

At 2:30 I forced my sweet supportive hubby to bed. His hands were so very wrinkled from peeling all of the peaches all night. We finally finished up around 3. Yes you read that right. A long night for sure, but how great is my food storage looking?

Thanks Don for a special treat...

I think I may owe you a pie, or a cobbler, or some jam

a jar perhaps???

Peach Pie Recipe

Ingredients
1 egg, beaten
5 cups sliced peeled peaches
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I use 1.5 teaspoons of cinnamon)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Line the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie plate with one of the pie crusts. Brush with some of the beaten egg to keep the dough from becoming soggy later.
Place the sliced peaches in a large bowl, and sprinkle with lemon juice. Mix gently. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Pour over the peaches, and mix gently. Pour into the pie crust, and dot with butter. Cover with the other pie crust, and fold the edges under. Flute the edges to seal or press the edges with the tines of a fork dipped in egg. Brush the remaining egg over the top crust. Cut several slits in the top crust to vent steam.
Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes, until the crust is brown and the juice begins to bubble through the vents. If the edges brown to fast, cover them with strips of aluminum foil about halfway through baking.

Peach Cobbler Recipe

Ingredients
4 cups peeled, sliced peaches
2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup water
8 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/2 cups Milk

Ground cinnamon, optional
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the peaches, 1 cup sugar, and water in a saucepan and mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Put the butter in a 3-quart baking dish and place in oven to melt.
Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, and milk slowly to prevent clumping. Pour mixture over melted butter. Do not stir. Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup. Sprinkle top with ground cinnamon, if using. Batter will rise to top during baking. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

{A little tip! If you do not have slef rising flour which is a must for a lot of these baked goods, you can add 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 1/2 cups flour and it will work just as well!}

Unconditional Love

2010-07-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am so so very grateful for my mom. She is always willing to help. She is always loving on my children. She is always there to help even when not asked. Just yesterday when she was here she asked for Andy's shirts to iron them for him. AND she honestly wants to do it.

I know that I have mentioned before that pretty much the only reason why we live here is because of our families. It is important to us to have our children grow up with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and so on. It is a blessing that is indescribable. I have to admit though that is sure comes in handy to have a helping hand when we are in need. And who better to place our children's care in than grandma.

Maddox broke out again in hives and it is really bothering me, because I cannot for the life of me figure out what it is causing this, so the Allergy specialist is seeing him today and of course I had to call on my mom. She offered to take off a couple hours early without hesitation. I am so lucky.

Thanks mom for loving us so much, we know how much you care, by your service and unwavering love.

On the Menu

2010-07-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

A picture of my double chocolate zucchini cake!

Ever since we have gotten back from Florida I have been on a serious cooking/baking spree. Partly because I want to and partly because our garden has gone crazy and I want to use everything and not waste it.

This year our garden has been great. We have lots and lots of herbs and a zucchini plant that is the zucchini plant of all zucchini plants. A brings in about 10 LARGE zucchinis every single night. I have made more breads and cakes that should even be discussed! I have made soup, a casserole, relish, muffins and I am trying a mock apple pie with zucchini next. Sounds great to me!

This week on the menu we have had;

Monday was a bbq when we got home from out of town. We grilled dogs for the kids and these amazing spinach chicken links from Sam's that are Divine!

Tuesday we had a really tasty shrimp meal. Basically just shrimp, evoo, lemon zest, lemon juice and dill from the garden. So delish!

Wednesday we had chicken parm.

Tonight we had veggie loaf, which is really meat loaf but the kids call it veggie loaf. So here's why...

First of all, all of you out there that loves meatloaf I have a recipe for you that is so so good and a great secret. I use two pounds of 90% lean beef, 1.5 cups of bread crumbs, 1.5 cups milk, 2 eggs, salt and pepper to taste. Then I chop up with my trusty ole chopper, celery, onion, red pepper, green pepper, carrots and of course, zucchini. I mix it all in. Here is the secret, you make them into muffins. You put them into a muffin tin and it makes a perfect serving size and I hate when the loaf pans get greasy or have a hard time baking and release from the sides and it works flawlessly in the muffin tins. The kids think it is so so fun too. Then after about 35 minutes baking on 350 I add a ketchup, brown sugar and mustard mix on top and bake for about another 10 minutes. SO good! You have to try it. And if you are not a huge beef eater, try it with ground turkey. That is my fave!

I will post my recipes for my great cake and bread another time. They are just so great too!

So here's to eating!

Happy Fourth!

2010-07-07T19:44:00.001-07:00

Our family July 2010

This is sad that this was the best shot we got out of four. Cort just woke up, Pax isn't looking, Jadie is striking a pose and Bennett looks different. At least Andy's eyes are open?

My sweet little cute baby. I want to squeeze this little boy right now, he is so adorable!
After he woke up a bit he was as happy as could be!

Three cuties! Andy's eyes are closed. BIG surprise:)!

This is what J did all weekend. Help baby Q.

I like him.

Cute baby again. Look at those lips! Don't you want to kiss them?!?!

What a great holiday the fourth of July is! So much fun! I think it is one of my favorite holidays if not my favorite! I love that is it all about family and pretty much costs up nothing! Gotta love that! It seems like all other holidays has so much prep going on and so much expense that we lose the meaning of it all. For the fourth we BBQ and maybe go out of our way to make a festive red white and blue dessert, but other than that it is all about being together.

This year we went to Branson again. We had such a great great time. Adam and Gloria were so much fun. We really had such a fun time with them. Gloria is super woman at getting us discount tickets to things and sometimes free and such a great hostess and chef. I will blog more about our trip another time, but we had such a great time!

I am so so far behind on this blog. I am still doing February. I have however done December and January, but they are back in the archives. I have not blogged because I felt I needed to do things in order, but I am going to forget that. I have a lot to do, but at least this way I just have the past to get caught up on, not the present and future! I do make these into books for a family history so I have to keep some what caught up!

So here are a few shots from Glo's camera since I still do not have mine. I am still sad about that! They turned out pretty cute, although once all the outfits are clean again I am going to retake pics of all the cute outfits that didn't really show up in the photos!

Hope every one had a great fourth of July!

Do you hear that???

2010-06-09T23:13:00.000-07:00

It is quiet in my house right now. I hear the air conditioner running. That is it. It is after midnight and I find myself having an occasional late night like this once in a while. It really is the only quiet time I get! Sometimes I just have to do it.

Oh gosh did we have a great vacation. Can I just live on the beach please? It all went so well. I loved that we went from the beach to the pool to the beach to the pool and repeat a dozen times. It was heaven. I was hoping that the kids would like that "low key" type of thing and they did great. It was amazing. Having Andy with us all 10 days straight was amazing. Too bad there is that pesky making a living thing we get to do! I will for sure blog a whole post just on our vacation. Amazing.

When standing in line to see the princesses for the seventh time, I turned on my camera and it read no images. I instantly felt tears. Luckily thanks to some great people I was able to recover all my 761 photos when I got home. I am so so thankful to them and being able to find them. It was just such an amazing time I really wanted the photos to look back on.

This week since we pretty much ate out the last two weeks, I have really been into cooking. I mean I cook everyday, but I was so excited to get back in my kitchen and cook for my kids. I like knowing what they are eating. I have tried a new recipe every day this week and they have been wonderful. I got them all out of the real simple magazine. It was a good issue I tell ya. Plus I have been able to freeze an extra meal every night too which has been great. I am so grateful I like to cook, since it is a big part of my career if you know what I mean!

Our garden is absolutely amazing! My herbs make the whole back yard smell wonderfully. We got tons of strawberries this year and our veggies are really doing great. I can't wait to be having our veggie filled meals again. I also got a juicer for Christmas and I am excited to use that with all our veggies and fruits.

Two days ago we had three accidents. I was upstairs getting ready for church and Bennett came running up crying saying that Maddox's head was bleeding really bad. I ran downstairs and could not believe my eyes. I have never EVER in my whole life have seen more blood. He stood there and saw my expression and said, "it's ok, mom, I all better, I'm just bleeding". I think he was in shock, because he was acting like nothing was going on. I started to cry because I felt like I was going to faint and I hate hate hate that I can't do blood. I couldn't comfort him. I knew if I walked closer I would pass out and then what would the kids do? I called Andy in his meeting and crying said come home come home! Poor guy, I am sure I scared him. He got here in 3 minutes and took over. He loves that type of thing. Not our kids being hurt, but taking charge and getting the job done. Turns out he had a cut in his head, but it wasn't that big at all. The head really bleeds. Let me just tell ya, it really gushes fast! Then at my grandparents house Cortland dropped a brick on his toe and broke it and got a nice cut out of it as well, then on the way into our house poor little Paxie fell and scraped up his whole right side of his face and he doesn't look so great. I wanted to wrap Bennett and Jadeyn, the only two who didn't get hurt, in bubble wrap to cover my bases for the day! We all survived and went to bed very grateful it wasn't anything more serious.

Paxton is really getting old. I just realized he is a few months older now than Maddox was when Paxton was born! I cannot believe that. It seems impossible. Paxton is so cute with babies. He loves his cousin Qyle and you can tell Paxton thinks he's such a big guy when he is holding him.

We have a busy weekend coming up and I am already tired just thinking about it.

My house is a mess because I have been devoting way too much time on my cookbook. Typing it all out, is just plain crazy. Seriously.

I am having a Scentsy catalog party for my sister in law Gloria. Let me know if you want something or are interested in knowing what it is.

I am going to be really tired tomorrow!

This post is really turning into a random entry.

This is the longest I have ever gone not being pregnant. My baby is 21 months and luckily for me he still seems like a baby. I like that about him.

I did not work out nearly as much as I should have on vacation and it feels so good getting back on my routine. I just love it. Really. I do.

Sometimes I wish I didn't have to be so detail orientated even though it is mostly my best trait I think.

My kids are so lucky to have my mom around. She just loves them so much! We are going to her work picnic tomorrow. It is always a good time.

I was thinking about getting the "bob" but I guess I will wait. I always wear my long hair up. Partly because I like it off my neck, partly because I work out every day and it gets hot and partly because I am a mom. To FIVE kids. Who had time to use the flat iron everyday? Not me. You probably guessed that answer, right? Andy say's it is a no go because my face is too round. Thanks hun.

I think once a month I am going to post all my facebook entries on my blog so I can look back and see what I was up to. I think FB has kind of taken over the blog revolution. It is kind of sad.

We are thinking about taking a little trip to vegas/cali this summer just Andy and I to visit some of the greatest people on earth. Still not sure, they don't even know yet.

At night I dream about getting Andy's whole family together and what it would take to make it happen. Can I win the lottery and get everyone home and rent a huge house for every one to stay in? I guess I can't win, if I don't play, right?

I really miss Chicago. Still. We want to go back for a visit, {it has been three years!}, but I am afraid I will miss it too much when I get back there.

Maddox's eyes have a sparkle in them. He is still so teeny tiny with dark chocolate eyes and 100% delicious.

Have I mentioned my house is a mess. Any want to clean some bathrooms? Am I the only one that ALWAYS HAS SEVERAL THINGS ON MY TO DO LIST! My head spins thinking about all I have to do.

My sister in law Cami has become of the age of babysitting! It is awesome. She is awesome. She always comes with special treats and things planned. It is awesome. She is awesome!

I love spending time with my husband. I love that night when we are going to bed we talk for ever as if we didn't just spend the whole evening together and on the phone over his lunch. I just love him. I just love our relationship!

Jadeyn actually performed in her recital. I thought there was about a 15% chance she would and she did it. I was so happy for her because she loved it. She looked so beautiful. She knows every single word to Don't stop believing by Journey, thanks to the Glee CD.

The three middles are playing TBall. It is Oh. So. Cute.

Sometimes I wish we lived in the south. Or the west. But right now the South. Georgia? North Carolina? It would be fun. On our way home form FL Andy and I both agreed we would live somewhere new and fun if it weren't for our families and more in particular he said, my mom. Not to mention my whole entire family lives here. We would be silly to get up and move.

I dream about custom building a home someday.

I can't believe I have a fourth grader. He is so old. Maybe about 2 inches shorter than me and his foot is 2 sizes bigger than mine. It is weird hearing about every one dealing with the summer and their kids not being in school. I LOVE having him home and the summers make me wish I home schooled, but the summer is really not that much different for me. 4/5 of my kids are always home. I am thinking about doing a little summer camp for the four oldest this summer. We will have to see. Since I was bad bad I didn't get Bennett signed up for baseball in time and I am thinking martial arts for the summer. I hear it does great things for responsibility and character building.

I saw the new Kate plus eight preview and her life makes mine look like a walk in the park, without four children four and under.

I wish I had Mrs. Duggars' patience and calm tone. What a sweetie she is. {I think it is weird her daughter in law calls her Mrs. Duggar. Weird}

Now that it is REALLY late I guess I should sign off.

I really hate all the medical bills we have. People are always talking about how having children is so expensive. More food can get pricey I suppose, but there are so many ways to save. Medical bills are crazy though. I have medical bills every month from whatever reason. Not to mention our 1000 deductible and the 600-900 we pay EVERY SINGLE MONTH. It is insane.

Cortland's tenderness is so tender. I love that boy. He is adorable. I wish I was hugging him right now.

Ok, now it really is too late. What a crazy post. I will probably look at this tomorrow and make a mental note to not blog so late. I may wish I hadn't.

Can I go back on vacation with my 6 great people??? Please?
Pretty please?

I will sleep well tonight

2010-05-20T19:41:00.000-07:00

What a day I have had. I have to say though even this day had it's moments of sunshine, on a very rainy day, but there were moments that I thought were gonna be tough.

It started after going to bed last night at 2:30 am. Yes, you read that right. My kids got to bed early at midnight. It is the bad with the good of family visits. So we woke up very tired. All of us needed more sleep. I walked into Paxton's room who was covered in Poop. Yes you read it right. Fun right? So I rushed him downstairs and started a bath for him. Then we all got ready to head to the gym, but we need to take a little detour to pick up my mother's day gift. I was so excited. I get there and hate it. I wanted to cry. I didn't take it with me and am hoping for some sort of resolution. My wonderful husband spent way too much money on something I don't LOVE LOVE LOVE. So I leave there and had two strikes against me for the day, but still in a happy mood. As I was driving to the gym I can't help but notice some red marks on Maddox that I am hoping are still the markings of his war with the red marker from the other day. When we get to the gym and I investigate more, no such luck. Major rash. MAJOR. In my nine years of being a mom I have never had to deal with rashes. I get every one back in the car because I can't very well take a crazed looking child into the gym and head to Andy's office. We finally get to Andy's office and he agrees, he has no idea what it is. He suggests going to the Walgreen's a mile away to their take care clinic. I fear taking all four little ones with me and my great husband of mine convinces me that the sweet ladies in his office would be happy to keep the twins. I hug him and head to Walgreen's. This is where I get to the part where I impressed myself with how calm I remained. I am pretty calm in most situations. When it comes to my children and their safety I can become a whole other animal.

I walk back to the take care clinic and after waiting for a few minutes and putting my name on the list which says number one the lady which I am assuming was a PA comes out and says can I help you. I say please. She says are you in a hurry because I am in a training right now and then I have to take my lunch in 15 minutes and there is four people ahead of you and I am sure three of them will show up and blah blah blah blah blah. She went on for at least 15 minutes I kid you not. Then I say, well can you just tell me if he has a rash you probably can only take benedryl for it and call it good right? She says no, there are other things and with some things you don't want to take Benedryl. She says you can come back at 3 or 8. Then I say goodness I wish in the time you have taken to tell me you cannot see my child, you just would have seen my child and I could be on my way. She says to me, and I quote again, "No it has been 15 minutes we need 20 minutes per check up." I tell her that I dropped off my two four year olds at their dads office inconvenience them so I would not have to inconvenience you and I will not be able to stay till three or come back at eight. She then says, well I can't help you. I was so so mad. Still holding on to my cool though.

So as I am walking out I bump into the store manager and I ask her if I had a little problem with the take care clinic lady would I talk to you about that or them directly. She sad I could talk to them, but she was interested in knowing what happened. I told her the whole thing and she said she knew personally no one was waiting so that was why we went from number one to number 5 she put in fake names and she was not in training. She told me that she would make sure that her boss knew and that the PA would not be happy with what the manager had heard. I did feel kind of bad for "telling", but I did call Walgreen's and tell them how very happy I was that their manager validated my concerns and was so understanding.

So I try to call my pediatrician and somehow my phone was messed up and I could not hear the people on the other end. So I call Andy's cell phone and yell into my phone not knowing if he can hear me since I can't hear them and ask him to call the peds office and make an appointment. He calls back and says he made one for three. I had about an hour to kill. I took the kids to McDonald's {yuck} and decided to run by Verizon to figure out my phone. He gave me a crash course on my blackberry and guess what folks? I now know how to text!!!!! I am moving up to the 21st century! So I figured that all out and went straight to the doctor.

I got to the doctor and the NA said, man I am at a loss. So my Pediatrician came in and said, "Oh it's hives and just give him some benedryl." I was happy with that diagnosis. I just didn't want to hear something bigger was going on and this was just a symptom. While I was in there my SIL was waiting at our house to hang out. I wanted to get home to her, but realized I had to get Bennett and then realized that he had already gotten on the bus so I asked my mom to come wait for him. Oh boy. What a day. Then I got home and luckily the graduation party that was supposed to be at our house was moved to the church because of the rain.

On the way home I am telling Andy that what was going on and after the conversation Bennett asked me if I thought he said did you get mad at Walgreen's, but he said did she get mad at Walgreen's. I said no I didn't get mad, and Bennett said, "no mom I know you didn't get mad, you never get mad." I am so happy that the boy that has seen me in most moods thinks I never get mad. That made the end of this crazy day SO much better. I love that boy, I love my boy that has a rash, I love my other boys, I love my girl, my mom, my husband, my sister in law. All those people were in my mind and that was how I got through this crazy day. Life is not all that bad and I can't tell you how many times I said, it could be a lot worse.

I do have to mention the most ironic part of this day. When I was getting our food, if you can call it that, at McDonald's, the guy said to me, "Wow it is great to see a smile on your face, it is nice to know someone is having a great day. I can tell you no one in here is having a good day and no one that has come through this line has had a good day." Wow.

A mental picture

2010-05-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

This morning as we were walking into church I reminded the little ones that they were singing in church today. Last time they did this, they did not want to go up. So I was wondering how they would do this time.

When the time came they all ran up and even little Maddox who is not yet in primary {he missed the cut off date by 6 days} ran right up. I didn't stop him. He thinks there is not age difference between him and J and C, so why not?

Seeing all four of my little ones up there singing Mother I love you, I could not tell you how very happy my heart felt. I just was so full of Joy. The tears were flowing before a note was sung. The three little ones were on the steps and Bennett was right next to them. They were all together standing with such satisfaction. Jadeyn had her hand over her heart the whole time. I guess she thought the pledge of allegiance was next. Maddox stood there with his hands in his linen khaki pant pockets with a huge beaming smile across his face as to say, I am doing it and loving it! Cortland who was watching me mouth, "sing sing sing" , because for some reason they were so pleased with themselves being up there that they forget they were there to sing!, was mouthing back to me with his eyes squinting, "I don't know this one!". Then we have sweet Bennett who would never consider not doing what he was supposed to be doing, was singing away looking almost too tall to be in primary. It was a sight. A picture in my mind that I hope to never ever ever forget. A picture worth a thousand words. A picture that will be essential to my memories of being the mom to these wee ones. A happy happy mothers day to me!!!

Motherhood

2010-05-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

Motherhood is the thing I am most grateful for in my life. It is a word that I have dreamed of, a word that I have adored and hoped for for most of my life. I remember being in the fourth grade and sitting at my desk waiting for others to finish their weekly spelling test, while doing so I would jot down the names of my future children. I would write their first and middle names and probably the last name of the boy I had a crush on that week, but I just could not wait to meet those little ones. I specifically remember thinking, my life can move fast up until I become a mom. Now every night at the end of the day I am pleading for more time. More time to cuddle my babies, more time to read stories, more time to play catch or help Jadeyn "potty train" her dolly, more time to teach new things, more time to bathe little bodies, more time to caress a tear filled cheek, more time to cheer up, encourage, comfort. Just MORE TIME!! I just love what I do. I just love motherhood. I love that I always knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. I love that even though it isn't necessarily "in style" or revered as success, I love staying home with my little ones. I love being at the crossroads in their lives and them being able to know I am here. Period. I am thankful that this doesn't feel like a sacrifice to me most of all. I know it is a blessing. It is a blessing that I could not be more thankful for. Five beautiful healthy children and a loving supportive husband that loves me for wanting to be a good mom and loves me still when I feel I fall short. If I could go back to that fourth grade version of me with a horrible gone wrong perm, I would say, you think it will be great, but you just have no idea. Motherhood is everything you want it to be and then a lot lot more.

****One day while helping Andy do the yard work, I was cutting the lawn in the back. Paxton just wanted to be by me and hold my hand. We cut the whole back yard almost, hand in hand. It was so adorable. I had to get a picture. He as looking up at me in this photo. I love this picture.****

Changing the World

2010-04-03T01:05:00.000-07:00

It is two am right now and obviously I am not tired. Well I think I am tired, but cannot fall asleep.

Tomorrow the Easter Bunny is coming to our home. It should be fun and the kids are pretty excited except poor little Maddox could not fall asleep and all he kept saying was, "I don't want the big bunny to come to my house to bring me eggs. I do not want candy. I do not want eggs." I guess the thought of a big bunny trespassing on his territory does not sound like a good time to him. Anyway, my mom came up this evening to help us get things ready and we have both been really wanting to see the film The Blind Side. We finally got around to watching it, but by the time we got every thing ready, eggs died, kids in bed, we did not get the movie started till almost midnight. This is why I am still up. With a movie like that, I can't just go to bed. My little brain will think about it for hours and then I will blog. Boy how I wish we would have started this around, oh say, 7?

This movie to me was just awe inspiring. Like the kind of inspiring that just makes you want to do good. I can't help but think about "mama's" selfless personality traits, but not only that, her ability to not only want to do good, be good, but actually doing good.

There are so many little one liners in this movie that I just love. I will have to watch it again and jot them all down, they were so good and so funny. Although, Sandra B.'s accent didn't quite do it for me, I felt her. I could get a glimpse of the real lady who recognised a boy in need. Wow how I wish I could be more like her.

As I was trying to fall asleep I was thinking about how I most likely will not invite a boy from the hood to live with us, there is a chance I suppose, but probably not, but that does not mean I cannot give or reach out a helping hand. I was thinking about all the things I could do to make a difference in someones life. At that moment I realized, I am making a difference in five lives right now pretty profoundly if you ask me. Yes these five deserve better than me there is no question about that, but I brought them into this world, I nurture them, care for them, love them with out exceptions, dodt on their every word, and try really hard to raise them into being upstanding citizens, that will work hard, care for others and perhaps change someone else's life. How great is that, that I get to have that kind of influence on five little ones at the moment, but someday they will be capable of doing great things.

Andy did not watch the movie with us because he fell asleep with Maddox trying to keep him content while thinking of a huge rabbit knocking at our door, but when I came to bed he asked how it was, and all I could say was it was amazing how she changed the world. By one simple act of kindness. Yes it turned into a pretty big deed, but originally she was just lending out a helping hand with a kind word and a gesture. He said she is changing the world? I thought about it a minute and realized, she may not have changed THE world, but she sure did change his world.

I think that maybe as I become better at serving those around me I will be more aware of looking for my "blind side" moment. I may not think of it being a big thing, but it sure could be pretty big to someone else.

PS how do you spell dodt?:)

10%

2010-03-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

So last year I did this weight loss contest per say. I was really trying to get in shape and was well on my way when my friend started this contest and I thought I might as well do it while I am already trying I could make some money while doing it. I did lose the 10 % I needed to and was very happy about it. Then at the beginning of this year she decided to do it again. Unfortunately I still needed to lose a lot more after the 10% so I jumped on board again. With only .6 more to go, I am fairly confident I will do well this time too and plan on using my "earnings" to buy some new not baggy clothes. Which is always nice. Even my workout clothes are messy looking on me.

This time around I kicked it in gear. I have made it to the gym at least 5 days a week. My weight loss workout of choice is the treadmill. If I do it right I can really drop the lbs by doing cardio. I usually do about 3.5 miles everyday altering back and forth from 1 percent incline, for my break, but at a fast speed for every half mile then I go to a 10% incline for half a mile. I like to change it up to keep it fun. I really actually like being on the treadmill. It is relaxing to me. Then besides that I have a series of arm weight workouts I do every other day and then Zumba which has become my personal favorite. I usually get that in about 3 times a week on the evenings. This along with eating right and not eating after 7 and lots and lots of water has really done the trick. I still feel like I have a long way to go, but I can see progress and that is always nice.

The one thing that has been really frustrating is my stomach. I was doing crunches along with Andy everyday. I felt like the stronger my stomach was getting the more and more pregnant I looked. I had more people asking me if I was pregnant after losing weight than they did before. That was weird. After some researching about a rectus diastasis and a good friend who I refer to as a "recti guru" I have realized sit ups are my worst enemy. I was actually told bythis guru and a surgeon that doing sit ups are the worst possible things I could be doing for myself. That is a relief. I saw a surgeon last week and she confirmed my diastasis and warned me about several hernias she found in my abdomen. This is actually good news for me. I could not understand for the life of me what was going on. I cannot get anything done surgically until I am done having children, but in the meantime my guru feels that she can help me and I am really excited about that. BTW her name is Bonnie, not really guru and she has a really cool blog about belly's after babies. Click on her name to check it out.

I am really excited about this weight loss adventure, although I adore my children the 10 extra pounds I have put on with each one of them I do not adore. I hope to stay strong on this journey and the next pregnancy have more energy and not put on an extra 10! That would be ideal.

Together

2010-03-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

I love Cortland in this one, like I am ready to go people, let's get this over with!

I am pretty sure Bennett was the best one in this shot. Like seriously I cannot hold this smile anymore!

When we were getting the kids birthday pictures taken I wanted to get a couple of group shots especially since I did not get their Christmas photos taken, which still makes me sad, but anyway, they all turned out pretty well. They sat well and most of the pics were pretty good. I have to say though my favorite shots were the last ones. They are so candid and so funny what all the kids are doing. The photographer was looking at all the shots to make sure she got a good one and told the kids to hold on a minute and she got some shots of what they were doing while waiting. It was so cute. I love it. They all have such great personalities. These five have just all stolen my heart. I am addicted to my kids. Really. I am.

My {little} baby Paxton

2010-03-18T11:50:00.001-07:00

Paxton's 18 Months Pictures

Paxton was a little ham taking these pictures. Since he is 18 months I was wondering if we would be able to keep him still, but he did a great job.

Anyone who is afraid to have kids should take this baby for the day. I have been pretty lucky with easy babies, but this baby takes the cake. He is so easy it is insane. He eats when we eat, he sleeps when I put him down, he never cries he goes with the flow, he loves the adoration he receives from his older siblings. He is just hands down super easy.

I love when I get him up in the morning and put him down to sleep. When I get him up he points at everything in his room and oohs and ahhs like he has never seen it before. When I put him down I give him his little clutchie and he lays down and snuggles with it then I put the covers over him and he says nite nite. It is seriously like my favorite times of day. Just so sweet.

He is into running now. It is so cute to see him run. I love watching it too. He is also easy to get to laugh. He loves giving high fives and if i laugh after he does it he belly laughs as if it was the funniest thing he has ever heard. I love it. He can feed himself and does really well with a spoon. He is getting So big, it is kind of sad. I just love this stage of life.

This poor boy I think has had an ear infection every day of his life it seems. I have an appointment next month finally to see about getting tubes. Hopefully that will mean no more ear infections. Even with constant ear infections he never complains.

I have to say I am a big fan of 19 kids and counting. I watch that show and amazed by how calm the mother is. She makes me want to be better. Right now they have their 19th child in the NICU and every time I watch and episode I cry and cry. It in some ways feels like yesterday we were there with Paxton and those days in there were the hardest of my life. The emotions you experience in a situation like that are unbelievable. I am so happy my little guy is healthy and so vibrant and full of life. I feel blessed beyond belief.

Thank you Paxie for being you. I love it!

My man, Cortland

2010-03-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

Cortland's Four Year Pictures

Oh my little Cortland. I have to say that all my kiddos have their own little "specialness" to them, yet they are also so much alike. They are all sweet. Cortland is sweet and so tender and kind. He is just a little ball of gentleness. He can get boyish at times as far as being loud and running around, but it is not often. He is super laid back and just goes with the flow. He would honestly sit on the couch all day long and watch Lazy town or read books. He is in no way hyper by any means. Just a tender little boy. When he gets tired even around nap time, he heads up stairs and tells me he is getting his blankies. He brings them down and wipes them on his cheeks. He has three that he loves. He is my only child that is or was ever in love with blankets. I adore this trait. He is just so fun.

His cheeks are extra squishy which makes him the one that gets kisses all the time. I can't keep my lips off of him. When I call him a little ducky because when he kisses his lips remind me of a ducks bill, he says, "No, Moo Cow." I guess he feels more like a cow than a duck? Who knows, but it is cute. He is really into exercising and sports. He is always talking about playing soccer and baseball again. He is our athlete in the family for sure.

Cortland is also the most obedient one of the group. If anyone is doing something that he knows is not ok, he will kindly tell them mom does not like that, and then and comes to tell me. He almost always listens. He will stay in the time out step all day if I forget to let him off. He hates to disappointus and days later he will say something like, mom I am so sorry I spilt my drink. He is still thinking about and still feels bad about it. He literally takes himself to bed for naps and bedtime. I SO wish the others were like this.

He is such a sweet little boy. I can't even tell you how lucky I feel to have little Cortland with me everyday. It is such a treat!

They are just so cute. They really do have a special bond I think. Lately I have seen how much older they are and sound. It is weird. They finally get the whole twins thing too. The other night when I was reading them a story they were telling me, as if I wasn't aware, that Bennett came by himself, Maddox came by himself and Paxton came by himself, but they wanted to come together. Jadeyn said that and then she said, "you remember that Cortland?" To which he replied, "I do Jadeyn, I wouldn't let you here without me!" So adorable just like them!
One more thing on the whole twins thing. I have mentioned before how I always wanted twins since I can remember. I had no idea how amazing it would really be. It is far better than I thought. I feel so blessed to be their mom and be on this twin journey with them!

Miss Jadeyn

2010-03-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Jadeyn's Four Year Picture

Oh my little Jadeyn girl. I just love this girl so much. I am completely confident that she could run our house pretty well on her own. She is constantly taking care of things. Putting dishes in the sink, consoling Maddox when he is sad, holding Paxton when he needs love, sorting laundry, cleaning up toys, setting the table, helping me in the kitchen which is her favorite thing to do. She is just the little mama. It is truly so adorable.

This little girl requires a lot of sleep. If she does not get it, it is not good. She also does not do well if she knows she is disappointed in her. She has some serious determination. You don't want to mess with her, but I realize that this will be and is one of her most valuable traits in life, it makes it a little easier to understand and deal with.

She is just so sweet with her brothers. She is always so helpful to them as if she is 19 while the others are still small. She is always the first one dressed and ready to go. She is always the first one out the door and is always the one who knows what it going on. Her memory is a little frightening at times. Two weeks ago they started learning their tap song and she came home that night singing a song by Mr Blue Eyes himself. She knew practically every single word. She sang it all week. When we went to dance the next week she told her teacher she loved that song and the teacher told me that was the first night they learned it. How she knows most of the words is beyond me. It's talent.

I just love having her as my daughter. My partner in crime living in the boy dominated home!

The lady doing the pictures was obsessed taking the twins pictures together. That is why there are so many!

Mr. Maddox

2010-03-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

Maddox's Three Year Pictures

I still am having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that Maddox is three. Since he came so quickly after the twins, his life has been cherished, don't get me wrong, it just seems as if it has gone extra fast.

Maddox is still the sweetest thing around. He is the most huggie child I know. I am getting hugs and kisses randomly all day long. I love it. He is also still soo tiny. We call him teenie tiny still too. Last week at the doctor's office he weighed 3 ounces more than Paxton. We can never find pants that stay up on that child. I have put on Paxton's 18 month pants to see if those would stay up and they don't! He is just a petite little thing.

I love that Maddox fully believes he and the twins are the same exact age. To him there is no difference. His little personality is quite the jokester too. He likes to say things in a funny way to be funny. He is starting to say such big words too. My baby is not quite a baby anymore.

Maddox is such a fun little addition to our family. There is no doubt in my mind that the child I was so nervous about having is totally meant to be in our family. He is an essential key to our home!

Was it all a dream? A really really good dream?

2010-03-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

I can't even express how much fun we had in Jamaica. It is now one of my favorite places. Seriously. They beauty there is astounding. The people are both gorgeous and genuine. The food was glorious and Andy and I were on cloud nine.

I can already tell this will be a long post. So buckle up and here goes!

The night before we were supposed to leave we had everything ready and tried to get to bed at a reasonable time. I was so excited and a little nervous at the same time. Almost like the first day of school or when you are about to have a baby. That kind of nervous excited. The alarm woke me up at 3:30. I popped out of bed ready to go. I got ready, did my hair, made sure we had everything, grabbed a book and I was ready. I had to coax Andy out of bed, but it wasn't too hard, we were leaving for Jamaica after all. Before we knew it we were headed out the door after some last minute reminders to Nicole (Andy's sister who was watching the kiddos for 3 days). When we got in the car as I always do I ask if it is ok that we leave. This time I was a little more apprehensive because the night before Jadeyn fell and hurt her leg pretty bad. I woke her up before we left and had her walk to our bed and she was still limping. I was so nervous about that. Was I the worst mother in the world for leaving my little girl when she was hurt? AS you can see we still went, but it wasn't till that next day that we heard she was doing a lot better that I finally fully relaxed.

We got to the airport in great time, parked our car in long term parking and off we were. It was all just so exciting. I just could not believe that we were going to Jamaica somewhere I never thought we would ever go and for FREE! That was one of the best parts about it I must admit! We arrived for a little lay over in Dallas then next stop was Montego Bay.

I have never traveled out of the country and customs/immigration was quite the experience. At least Jamaica it was. A lot of lines and waiting, but it didn't seem to bother us, we are in Jamaica after all. Once we got through all of that we found the Heartland Dental care sign for our ride and off we were to the hotel.

I knew it was going to be nice. I knew that, but this place was incredible. I just don't even know how to explain it to really describe the beauty and all around 5 star service. When we arrived we were greeted with cold towels, which I am still not sure what exactly those were for. Some were using them on their hands, some were wiping their brow...you know the usual. I am guessing that is what they were for. We went in, checked in and got our wrist bands that marked us for that hotel and then were greeted by a Heartland table with a special present and itinerary along with a list of things we could do if we wanted waiting on the table to be signed.

When we received our itinerary via the UPS it told us all the different events we could do while we were there. I basically wanted to be on the beach, eat and enjoy peace and quiet together and the beautiful hotel. Andy wanted to do that all too, but the zip line sparked his interest. Boy oh boy do I wish I would have looked into the zip line thing a little more than I did. For some reason when I think zip line I think of a line but you are sitting in something and you go across all powered by a machine about 5 or 6 feet off the ground. I could not have been more off on that, but more on that to come. So anyway, we signed up for the zip line, I did it knowing I would not actually end up doing it.

The Beautiful Hotel Lobby

The Piano Bar

We were led to our room by the guy with our luggage. I kind of get a giggle every time I picture us walking in while he is holding the door for us and all the ooh's and ahh's he heard from us. It was as if we never get out EVER and have never seen the beach before Ever and have never stayed in a hotel before. He just kind of smiled with a little chuckle. He pretty much unpacked our stuff which was nice and then he disappeared. Andy and I kept going from one place to another to another. Even the bath room totally impressed us. It was huge, as was a storage/closet/pantry hall. It was stocked with food and drinks. The bathroom was equipped with bath salts, gels and other fancy things. The decor in the room was exquisite. Just beautiful and the balcony that was more like another room was too cool. It was almost hard having such a beautiful place to stay. We didn't want to stay in our room the whole time, but man it was awesome! After we unpacked and got ready we were down to the beach for a welcome reception.

Our Room

The glorious bed!

The Sitting Room.

View from our room.

The awesome swing.

Our room was the third floor the third room in.
When we first got there, we were a little excited.
When we got there they had a photographer there to our pictures. Then they had amazing appetizers and drinks. They were all so good. I knew at that point I knew I was in trouble. The food was so stinking good.

The Reggae Band at the Welcoming Reception.

We stayed for a while and then decided to get to know the resort a little more. This place was huge. There were like 4 sections to it. We were in the grand hall that was for all adults and more of the first class type restaurants and stuff. They had shows there and discos and piano lounges and all kinds of different things. There was never a dull moment. We did find out however cell phones and calling cards were of no use. You could buy one of their calling cards and use a special phone area they had there to call out if needed. We had to just to check up on J while we were gone. Then I realized that they had a computer lounge as well so we were able to keep tabs on her progress through that. That is the only reason why I checked and even posted on FB while I was in paradise! After checking everything out we went to our dinner reservations at the Japanese Steak House. We were very excited for that! IT WAS SO DELISH! I mean SO SO good. I mean my mouth is watering right now just thinking about it good! You basically just order whatever you want off the menu. Anything. Which is dangerous. We got appetizers, and soups and salads and two main courses and sushi and dessert. It was just crazy. Really crazy and really good. We ended up sharing a hibachi with a couple from France and a couple from Canada.

Our fun new friends. The couple on the left, we just extra extra sweet. Just awesome people.

It was so fun. We felt like we were really friends by the end of it all. Could be because we were in there of about 2 and a half hours. It was so fun though. We waddled our way back to our rooms taking the stairs three times to sort of kind of balance that dinner out. We arrived at our room and on the dresser there was a gift from Heartland. It was so fun. Such a treat. Andy got a Visor and I got a beautiful silk scarf. They also had a turn down service and chocolates on the bed. The slippers and robes laying out for us. It was just amazing.

Having so much fun!

My slippers set out for me.

I wanted to try the jacuzzi that was in our room so I did, but I was so tired I fell asleep in there. I woke up and hopped into bed. It has been such a long day and night and we were so tired. We needed that sleep and the bed was just so perfect we got great sleep.

The next morning someone was knocking on our door at what seemed to be maybe 5 in the morning. I woke Andy up and told him someone is knocking at the door. He said, at 4 in the morning? He went to the door like it was the middle of the night and they guy said we are here to restock your bar and pantry. Andy told him we were fine and as he was getting back into bed he noticed the clock said 10 in the morning! So much for the meeting at 8:30, right? We had know idea it was that late. We set his alarm on his prehistoric phone that apparently died in the middle of the night. We got up quickly and rushed out of there to find out that no one was at the meeting, luckily for us and we grabbed some breakfast. It again was so amazing, you will here that adjective a lot in this post, right? and headed to the beach. We laid there for a while and then grabbed lunch and headed back to our room to get ready for the zip line craziness. Then we met at in the lobby to catch the shuttle.

This is the part of the trip that was a little out of control for me. As we are waiting for the shuttle I am casually talking to the other 30 people going to this thing and I am slowly realizing zip lining is a whole other animal that what I was picturing. I wouldn't say I am afraid of heights, but I don't really care for them. It is nothing I freak myself out about, but I can do without putting my life in jeopardy for "fun" if you know what I mean. So as we all cram into this little tiny bus I am starting to feel a little nervous. We get there after going up and up and up the mountain. We get out, get all our gear and then get into another bus that takes us up even further. Cue, freak out mode. I actually did pretty good. It was kind of like an out of body experience. It was like I was out of it, or else I really would have been freaking out. After a crazy, see video, ride up there we were off. I decided I had to go last. Well second to last. Andy had to go after me, so if I fell to my death he would witness it. I had no idea, like no idea it would be A., so fast B., so long C., completely in my control and D,. SO crazy. The first two I actually did pretty good. Really well actually. It was weird when they said ok just sit back and jump. I really don't know how I did it. The only reason why I did go threw with it, is because I had no other option. Everyone else, just acted like it was a day at the office. It was surreal. After the first two, we repelled straight down, probably about 500 feet. It was insane. Then is when the big guns came out. We had run almost a mile long they said and prefaced it by saying don't pull on the line too hard because you will stop and will be stuck, basically forever, but make sure you keep your hand close to the line so you can stop yourself when you get to the two by two platform when you need to stop. Well I took off and could not reach the line or get my balance to reach it. It was NO good. I get to the platform and almost ran into a tree and took the boy with me. It was scary. I think the guy was even a little scared. After that I was freaked out, but had to put on my game face because I had to keep going to get to the end. They just kept getting longer and faster. Finally the 10 lines were done. I have never been so relived in my life. Of course I was known as the lady with five kids there and I said I honestly would honestly take a major operation with a c section than do that anytime. It felt so good to be done. The guys running the whole thing were just so adorable. One in particular was just so darn cute. Their personalities, pretty much every Jamaican we ran into were so adorable. I asked Andy if we could find a child in need of a home and bring them back with us. I don't think he thought I was serious, but I was and am.

All of us crammed into the little bus.

It was beautiful up there.

Putting on my game face.

Andy and his game face.

Getting ready for our ride up even further=higher!

The ride up there was for sure more fun than the actual zip lining.

This boy on the left, is SO SO cute. Adorable. I totally fell in love with him.

That is me. Waaaaaaay up there. I cannot even begin to tell you how high it was. I could not even see the actual ground.

See that little tiny platform. That is where we had to "land".

Yes we are actually that high. It was insane. A beautiful view that I actually coulnd't even process because I was too worried about the five kids I was going to leave behind.

This is what we repelled down. Andy zoomed up so he could get a better picture of the little thing we were on. My heart is beating a little fast just looking at this picture, no lie.

Here are some of these adorable boys again. They were so sweet to me and helped me so much. What kind kind boys.

Thankfully I was safe and we were back at the hotel. We rushed to get ready for a spa treatment. Andy is so sweet to endure my indulgence. We got a couples mud massage. It was AWESOME and much needed after the most stressful situation I had ever been put into in my life. It was so awesome. We both loved it. They even had a wellness pool which was like a huge hot tub that we used before getting our treatment. It was awesome! Amazing. Perfect.

Then we were off to the Gourmet restaurant.

We took like 10 shots and I am not even kidding the one above is the ONLY one where Andy's eyes are open. They all looked like the one below!

We have only been to a "Gourmet" restaurant one other time in Chicago when the dearest people ever took us to Everest. It was awesome. We were pretty sure we would never be back or to a French place anywhere again so we jumped at the chance. It was so fancy just like all the places at this hotel, but this place was just a little fancier even.

The pre-appitizer.

The onion soup that was the BEST soup I have ever tasted.

The Lobster appitizer, lobster is one of the great loves of my life. I was in Heaven because everywhere we went there was lobster!

This is how our dinner was served to us. This was my lobster. Isn't is beautiful. The best thing I have eaten pretty much ever.

Delicious Chocoalte Eclairs.

So good and amazing. Like the places you see in the movies, you know? So good. The food was the most delicious food I have ever eaten. Just so tasty and good. I had a little too much fun with the camera there too. Note all the pictures and videos. It was all like a dream.

Then we walked around for a little while took a stroll on the beach. It was Heavenly. I missed my cute little kiddos, don't get me wrong, it was just SO nice to have some time just Andy and I with the only noise being the sounds of the ocean. It was everything perfect. We got back to our room with more gifts. Who doesn't like gift once in a while. We each got beautiful wallets. They are awesome, we enjoyed our chocolates and fell asleep quickly.

The bar in the pool.

Everywhere you looked there were pools. Although we only saw two people in them the whole time we were there. It was so windy.

The next day, Saturday, was ours to do nothing whatsoever, other than a banquet that night. We just had to be at the stairs in the lobby at 6. We pretty much spent the whole morning on the beach or eating and having our tasty pinacoladas, non-alcoholic. I can't even tell you how many of those things we went through. It was a good thing there was no alcohol in it or we probably would not have remembered Saturday. We got back to our room around 4 and started getting ready. We arrived in the lobby to see them taking THE picture of everyone who made president's club. We were told to be there at 6 figuring the picture would be a little after, well they took it before. So Andy missed it. He was really sad. He got over it real quick. We waited for the banquet to get started. The weather was awesome. As we approached the seating table, I got a little nervous as to who we would be sitting by. We were called to table 13. We were sitting right next to two older doctors who have recently sold their practices to Heartland and work for them now, an awesome couple from Africa who practice in the states and the President of the company. The owner this past year turned it all over to him. I was a little nervous at first. What on earth would I have to talk to them about? It ended up being the best conversation we had with other people the whole weekend! It was so fun. They are so fun and so easy to talk to, it was only when they told me they were taking the private jet to Minneapolis the next day that I realized how far apart our two worlds really are. I love how grounded and normal they felt. It is refreshing. They had a nice dinner and awards and plaques and all that jazz. It was at this point I started feeling sad it was all over. Just one more day I wanted!

Note to self, wearing powder lighter than your skin proves to not be very good!

The owner of the company, Andy and the president.
My feet after my strappy shoes. They actually didn't hurt, just looked really bad!

We got back to our room and changed into more comfortable clothes and hit the show. It was really good and fun. When we got back to our room there was a beautiful frame with our picture in it from the first night. It was so good and such a fun thing to get! I just can't get over how beautiful the Jamaican people are. They have such wonderful high cheek bones and awesome bone structure. I am already reading a book about Jamaica and plan on learning a lot more about that beautiful country. We got back to our room and watched a movie and I think we ordered room service again. I was not hungry, I don't think Andy was either, but he liked the fact that everything was free. Not one single dime of his was spent. That was an added bonus I must say.

The next day we decided to get up real early and be one of the first ones on the beach and get the big beds out there. We succeeded. We started with breakfast first. I said on FB that for the past 6 weeks I have worked out about 6 times a week and probably sabotaged all my efforts due to this all inclusive resort. We stayed out there as long as we possibly could.

I finished my book so the rest of my time I spent with my ipod and

Andy was busy trying to finish his.

We took one more stroll on the beach all the way down past the resort where we went to some little crazy shops. The price was right at these little "stands" but it was a little interesting. Andy thinks we got a little high off just conversing with the people there.

We scored a few things to bring home, although I think the kids enjoyed the chips we brought home from the mini bar more than anything. We like the little things we got. Bennett's favorite thing was the $100 and $50 dollar bills we brought for him. Seems like big money to him. They both cost us under $2 dollars!

We went back to our room packed everything up and sat in the lobby till the bus was there to take us back to the airport. This is where the fun began. Their airport was crazy. Crazy lines I should say. We waited in line to get our tickets, then in line to check our bags then in line for immigration then in line for security then another security line. These weren't just your average lines. I am talking hundreds of people in each line. It was crazy. I was surprised we made our flight. We finally got on our plane and made it to Dallas where our flight was bumped and arrived home around 1 AM. Luckily my mom took off Monday so she slept at our house and allowed Andy and I to sleep in a little. It was a crazy long day that day, but all I kept saying was who cares, I was on the beach this morning!
We had to take a picture with this thing. The little boys love all things pirates.

IT was a wonderful trip. I cannot find the words to describe how thankful and grateful I am for this trip. The weeks leading up to this vacation were rough. I was so wore out from who knows what and needed a break in every since of the word. This hit the spot. It was surreal, it was beautiful it was perfect. Being there with the man I love most in this world just made it more perfect than I could describe. We could have gone anywhere and I would have loved it. Just him and me, once in a while, there is no other place to be. We did miss our kids and both said a few times, this is so great, but really being with our kids is the best. We really do feel that way, but as I said, this trip was perfect in every way. I am so thankful to Nicole Andy's 21 year old sister that not only did such a great job, every time we talked or texted {can't wait to get this cell phone bill!} she only reassured us how great the kids were and how much she loves them and loved being with them. IT was so so so nice to hear. I also need to thank my parents for helping out and watching them Saturday night and Sunday. I feel so lucky that my kids can spend time with them. When we got back all the laundry was done, our sheets were clean and Andy's clothes were ironed. My mom is superwoman I tell ya! I am too lucky! I also need to express how much we have enjoyed our time with this wonderful company. We just love Heartland Dental Care so much. It has been, other than picking our spouses, the best decision we have ever made. We feel very fortunate to be with such a great company. And last, but not least,{it sounds as if I have won an Academy Award!} I am so blessed to have Andy as my partner in crime. He works so hard all the time. He has shattered his goals at work and continues to amaze me by his hard work and love and dedication to the love of his life, the dental field. He truly loves his job. I have never ever heard him come home and complain about work ever. It is like he gets to go play everyday. Sure there are stressful moments, but he is doing what he was born to do. I am so proud of him. You are awesome Andy and thanks for picking me to share this awesome week with. After this weekend, do not expect me to ever rush you home, stay at the office as long as you need to honey. If it will get me more weeks like this past one, keep on keepin' on.

The great hair drama of 2010

2010-02-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

Andy and I had a hot date planned for the night before Valentines day and while we were gone a major tragedy happened in our home. Cortland and Jadeyn decided to cut Jadeyn's hair. It was traumatic. Probably more for me than anyone else.

We got home from our night out and my two sister in laws said, so Jadeyn decided to cut herself some bangs. Oh boy I thought. I do not care for bangs on my little girl and she has never had any so I was worried. I went into her room where she was asleep and I saw the damage. We all know she has a hair curse. In January of 2009 she had like 10 inches cut off to a cute bob, because she was twirling so much and I thought that may help and she had broke off so much from twirling that it did not look so great. I wish I would not have cut it off and just let her get the twirling out of her system and then cut it, but oh well. So anyway, recently it was looking kind of bad again because of the twirling and I was debating cutting it again, but thought since I regretted it last time I would just let it go and hopefully she would grow out of this annoying habit and then shape it up and fix her hair-do. Well she with Cortland decided to take matters in their own hands quite literally. Don't get me wrong, I love this little do. I think it is adorable and my plan one day is to have a little girl with this bob and a little girl with long hair. Now I just need another little girl, right:)! So anyway, the damage was quite extensive. Not only were bangs cut, but the side that she twirls was thin and damaged and then right in the back was a straight blunt cut. I started to cry. Isn't that ridiculous? I mean she cut her hair, she was not sick, she was not hurt in any way and I cried. It must have been loud because it woke her up and I felt so so bad. She looked scared and as she stood up she started to cry and said, "Am I not a princess anymore?" SO SO sad. I immediately told her she was still a princess and she is. I took her in the bathroom to evaluate even more and there was no way to do a comb over, and make it work at all, so I just cut off the little long strands that were left. It was sad. I ended up later taking her to a salon to get a more polished cut for her and it ended up being darling. I think she likes it too. While she was getting it cut, just like the rest of my kids getting their hair cuts they are silent and barely move and almost fall asleep, but she did mutter softly to the stylist and said "can you make it like Ariel" {little mermaid}? She said sure I can and did a great job. It does not look long and red like the Little Mermaid, but it is adorable and looks so great. I think she even likes it. She does ask everyday though if she has her long hair back yet. So darling. I am sure in no time it will be back, but until then I am quite enjoying this adorable look on her and by the looks of these pics, she feels pretty darn cute herself!

Snow Days

2010-01-29T21:43:00.000-08:00

It really doesn't snow nearly enough here. We get a few good snow days a year and we have so much fun. This year, however, there was a problem. It normally does not get too cold here either, but this year anytime it snowed it got bitterly cold. The kids still wanted to play in it, but they could only stand the cold for so long. Such troopers.

This guy did not care how cold it was!

Sad because we made him come in.

For sure a hot chocolate type of day.

Even Andy was really really cold.

The kids love to shovel the snow. I hope they have the same feelings in about 5 years.

Bowling.

2010-01-28T22:39:00.000-08:00

I am not a good bowler. Let's just put that out there. I am not even kidding you when I say that Bennett bowled 10 points higher than me and Cortland two points higher and Jadeyn just one point below. Is that sad or what. Seriously, I am not good. We did have a fun time bowling though. It was so fun to take the kids out and let them experience something new. I just have so much fun with my little family.

Posts are no fun without pictures

2010-01-28T17:02:00.000-08:00

I am so sad to report that I have still not uploaded pictures from my camera! I am SO behind on this blogging business. I need to recommit myself. But I cannot even commit to recommitting myself at the moment, so who knows when I will officially update my blog.

The last few weeks have been crazy. It all started with a lovely visit to the ER about 2 weeks ago. I woke Andy up around midnight and told him something was not right and we needed to go to the ER. He was, lets say confused. He kept saying are you sure? Why? HUH? Finally when he really woke up I explained my wanting to go and off we went. After calling his sister to come over at 1 in the morning. Luckily she came over for us to go.

The whole way there Andy was talking about how he hates the ER and all we are going to do is wait and they won't know what is wrong and on and on. He agreed that we should go to better safe than sorry, but being woke up in the middle of the night and then staying in the ER for the rest of the night was not his idea of a great time.

We got there and you guessed it, waited. We finally got back to a room around 4:45. The doctor came back and said you look great, blood pressure is awesome, let's do some blood work to put you at ease. So that is what we did, well that along with more waiting.

The ER doc, was hilarious. He was obviously from the South due to his accent. He has big hair and face shaped as if he was a prince in some Disney film and a personality to match. He was something. Very entertaining to say the least. He asked me if I have a stressful position at work. I kind of chuckled and said, it can be. Then he asked me what I did and I told him I was a stay at home mom. I knew what the next question would be and I KNEW the reaction I would get too. So he asked. I said five. He didn't react the way most people do. He didn't act like he was passing out, or say REALLY? or say the usual flattering come back, "aren't you too young?" or are you serious?. The list goes on. So instead he instantly replies with, oh wow, my wife and I have nine. I forgot to mention this characater's of a doctor did not look that much older than us. Then I did it. I did. I reacted and replied the same way all those people do to me! I said, REALLY? NINE? Oh my goodness. {said in a there is no way anyone would ever have nine kids kind of tone} He said yep sure do. He then said at one time they had a 5 and a half, four and a half, three and a half, two and a half, one and a half and a half. They have 9 kids under 13. Now that is serious. That can get this kind of reaction. Five? Not so much!

He was really nice and told me to aim for nine if I could. Which is hilarious in itself. The blood work came back perfect. Very good numbers with everything and he tested everything under the sun. Seriously. I am was the healthiest sick person in the world. He then said take care of yourself and relax. I almost laughed out loud. I guess in leu of the Lindsay Lohans of the world who are hospitalised for exhaustion, I was right there with them. Weird, right? I always thought that was made up reason for all these young starlight's entering the hospital. He told me to get some sleep and take good care of myself. He also mentioned that their parents live with them to help out with the NannieSS are not there to help. Maybe I could rest and get some sleep if I had the Nannies...something to look into! {just kidding, I like raising my kids}

So flash forward to yesterday. I woke up knowing it was going to be a rough day. I even made that remark on my FB page. I knew I had a dermatologist appointment at 2:30 and also knew I could not take my wee ones. My mom who swooped in and saved the day again, met me there and stayed in the car to watched the previously mentioned wee ones. In the morning though Maddox and Paxton woke up not feeling the greatest. I debated taking them in only because I did not want to take them all in and then decided it would be best to take them. Luckily I could get an appointment at 3:30. I have never been in and out of my derms office in under 2 hours so I was praying for a miracle. I got to the dermatolgist and apparently they said that I had canceled. I didn't. They got me in. I was in and out in 40 minutes. This was truly a miracle. Really. That never ever happens. Maybe I should cancel every time. AND there was a spot on my nose that did not go away after being froze/burned so they had to scrape it to do a little biopsy. Fun times I tell ya. The needle was long and it hurt going in, however, it made the razor blade to the nose feel a lot better. Hopefully those results will come back fine and I did that just for fun. Here is to hoping!

I ran out to the car and we were even early for the Peds visit. The second we got there they got us in and swabbed Maddox. He was positive. He has strep. Paxton as usual had a double ear infection. Of course he did, because when doesn't he. We did get our referral for tubes though so that will be nice. They were like, since he is positive I am sure the rest of your kids are but we have to test them and you will have to sign them in and pay the copay. That was ok because at least that meant I did not have to come in today with two sick kids confirming the other two were. So we left there with four scrips and headed to the pharmacy.{Thanks schnucks for doing free antibiotics! We paid enough in co pays that day for the rest of the year!}

They all went to bed early with meds in their systems and are feeling a lot better today. Me on the other hand, not so much. Such is life though. If all I have to complain about it a sore throat I will take it.

So here's to the next few weeks being sick free and having the energy to getting my house back on schedule to how it was before this place became a sick fest!

Our first Pinewood Derby Action

2010-01-27T21:18:00.000-08:00

Oooh, the pinewood derby. What a fun little bonding moment this was for a boy and his dad. They had so much fun. I honestly do not know which one had more fun.

They just loved it. Bennett's car looked so great and won most of the races.

Bennett is counting down the months till next years race.

Horsies

2010-01-26T23:06:00.000-08:00

This post reminds me that Maddox calls any dogs bigger than sugar, our dog, so that is more than 9 pounds, a horsey. It is so cute. I love that.

We went out to my cousins farm and saw her Clydesdale's. They are so beautiful. The kids had so much fun.

Other Kansas City Fun

2010-01-20T20:24:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid I went to KC with my bff at the time a few times because her family lived there. I had so much fun when I went with her. When we went there I wanted be sure to go to Fritz's. I remembered it was so cool. A train delivered your food to you. So we made sure to go there. We also checked out the Hallmark Headquarters. They had a fun little place for the kids where they had tons of items to do crafts with. The kids loved running around there and just enjoying themselves. We had such a fun time. It was so fun to have Nicole there with us. She is just so great with our kids and loves them so much. Plus she entertains Andy more than anyone we know. We just love her so much!

The train delivering our food!

How cute are they?

The Hallmark place.

The Great Wolf Lodge

2010-01-20T19:19:00.000-08:00

In January we decided to take full advantage of Aunt Nicole being here and decided to head west to Kansas City. They have a great wolf lodge there that they also have in the Dells and we loved it. The kids had so much fun. They loved it. We got a great deal since we went off season. We had an awesome suite and played at the water park all day every day. We all loved it and had so much fun. Here are just a few photos to display that fun!

This baby is so cuddly and cute.

Maddox wasn't feeling too well, but still managed to have fun.

Bennett was in Heaven!

This baby loved it too!

These photos are too cute to even put into words.

These two loved it. They had so much fun.

At night they had story time where you came in your jammies. The kids loved it.

This picture makes us laugh so hard. Jadeyn is just now getting into the stage where she knows making a funny face is funny. Andy and I have laughed hysterically over this photo far too much.

Their cool cabin.

Aunt Nicole

2010-01-16T21:09:00.000-08:00

Nicole is going on a mission. We decided it would be fun to take a poll with the whole family and see where everyone thought she would go. I put up all the votes on a map and we had a little party with cookies and an array of hot chocolates. It was a fun night. We were excited to know that she would be with us a little longer till the end of March. The Manila Philippines are so lucky to get this wonderful young lady. We love her so much!

The whirlwind called The holidays have now come to an end

2010-01-10T20:31:00.000-08:00

I finally feel like I can take a deep breath in and feel as if "normal" life has been reborn. It has been a long time since I have felt that way. Now I need to back pedal and rush around to get my house, and everything that goes along with that, back in order!

The holidays around here are SO much fun! Really they are. We are lucky enough to be the main gathering place for Andy's family. Our house is much more conducive to larger numbers and SO much easier for me. I have my kids beds here for starters and since the nights are long, that is a nice bonus. I do feel, however, that I am constantly cleaning up just to have a mess again and then cleaning up again just to have a mess again. It really never ends. I also felt like I was constantly coming up with new food ideas and something that is not too messy or costly, but that is still fun and good. Oh man, I am getting a little anxious just thinking about all that again!

Anyway, last night we celebrated Maddox's birthday with my family so now we are officially done with parties and get togethers. I always kind of feel bad for the poor kid kind of having a after the moment birthday, so I try to go all out for his day as much as the other kiddos. It is exhausting coming right off the holiday shuffle, but I managed it. Now that it is all done, I feel like I can get back to my life. The gym, preschool, cleaning my house more regularly, organizing more, healthier meals, less junk, errands ran and bills paid...you know the usual. It is kind of good actually, it gets me excited to just have my plain life back.

Speaking of my life, the other night Andy and I took just Maddox out for his birthday {more on that later} and I was telling him about a personal prayer I was saying the other night. It caught me off guard when I was done with my prayer, because I am just so happy. Yes times are crazy. All these little kids can get crazy and that is an understatement, but there is no other place I would rather be, no other time I would rather be in my life, no other children or husband that could possibly be better for me. I just feel so very blessed. It is a good place to be!

On to other important things, I am rather backed up on my blog and it is bugging me. I need to focus and get to all of these items of business...
The twins party
Bennett's class party
Our company party
Lot's of family in town
Christmas and all the festivities
Brandon's kids with my kids
New Years Eve
Maddox turns 3
Nicole gets her mission call
and I am sure there are more that are keeping me behind not to mention I am still behind on Disney and Hawaii! GASP!

I am excited for this new year. I think it will be good. So much growth and so much to learn. I am just enjoying every minute of it. I wish, as I have said before, I could just push the pause button on my children because this moment in time and their ages just could not be any better! So here is to slowing down and little bit more and taking in all these glorious moments!
Happy 2010!

The Little Gym

2010-01-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

We did the little gym this winter. The two littlest boys did at least. Maddox just loves it. It is like his little thing. This winter we decided to let Paxton do a few classes too and it was so much fun to do that with him. It was like our little thing together. It was so fun. I just love these little boys!

Bennett

2010-01-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

We just all loved having Bennett home and off school over Christmas Break. We can't wait till summer vacation. It looks like he was a bit sad to go back and leave us too!

"Bye Family! I had a blast playing with you,

but it has now ended."

Love,

Bennett

"Sorry it is so sloppy, I had gloves on."

Is it possible to get cuter than this???

Maddox is a three year old!

2010-01-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

Our Sweet little Maddox turned THREE! His little life has just flown by. When I as pregnant with him it flew by since when I found out he was coming I had three month old twins. I am so happy he just fits right into our family. He is in no way an after thought, he was planned. He is supposed to be my fourth child.

Maddox has an obsession with the color green. He loves it. With my kids I have a color system with them. Their plates, towels, blankets and such are all in their colors. It is very convenient to know who left their towel on the floor or who didn't put their dishes away. His color is green and boy does he love it. Every one knows that is his thing too. So adorable.

So naturally we had a green party. We had a green party with my family and Andy's family. We also went to see Elmo live for his birthday just Andy, Maddox and me. It was so fun. He felt so special. On his actual birthday we used some Chuck E Cheese coupons and celebrated there. They all had a ball.

This boy is still just as sweet as the day he was born. I get random hugs, kisses and "I love you mommy's" all day long. I love it. I love him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU SWEET BOY!!!

We had green calzone's, green grapes, green broccoli, green sugar snap peas, green cucumbers, green peppers, a green artichoke and spinach dip, rye bread with a dill dip. It was green let me tell ya.

His sad little Brobee cake. He loved it and that is all that matters!

Great Grandpa and Maddox almost share a birthday. Only a day apart.

They both look really happy about their birthdays, don't they?

He got lots of fun things. One being this fun little piggy bank filled with money.

Elmo live!

Lovin' cotton candy!

On the train to Elmo live. I think he liked that as much as he did Elmo live.

Chuck E Cheese

With Grandma and Grandpa E.

When the kids turn three my parents take them to Build-A-Bear. This year my mom took him and he got this rather appropriate frog. He really likes green. Unfortunately my camera battery died and I didn't get any other photos.

How did I get so lucky?

2010-01-06T08:53:00.000-08:00

Today three years ago the sweetness little sweetie blessed our family. Man how I love him! He out of all of our children is one that at the time we had no idea how much he was needed. I know I have mentioned before how I called two dear friends and bawled to them not knowing what I was going to do or how I would handle three babies. Somehow, I did, or am I suppose. Just like always the Lord knows what we are need of and blesses us with those things even if we aren't quite aware yet. I remember just saying over and over to Andy how can I beg for a baby for four years and nothing and then three babies in one year?!?! Again, we are on his timing I am sure of that and looking back there is no other way it should have been!

When Maddox was born all Andy could come back and report to me was that he is so sweet. I wasn't sure how to take that, but sure enough when I finally got to see him the next day, that was the word that screamed out to me too. Nothing has changed. He is quiet and sweet and just melts my heart with every word he speaks.

Last week they were all watching a movie one night and I came into the room and was just overwhelmed by all these little cuties that are mine! I looked at Maddox looking so old yet still ONLY two and I ran to him and he opened his arms and kissed me before I could kiss him and held on to my hug longer than imaginable. I wanted to freeze time right there. That was a moment I will NEVER forget.
Dearest Maddox, we will forever be grateful to have you in our family. Your sweetness is indescribable, your dark brown eyes are beautiful, your charm is adored, you my little friend could not be any more wonderful than what you are. Please know how much we love you and how much you are needed in this family. We love you dearly!

Love, mom

Random January

2009-12-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

Looking so cute for church.

Cortland loves his nite nites and if he green and blue one are not clean the pink one will do. As soon as he gets his nite nites his finger pops in his mouth.

Bennett and his best friend {future wife} Karli.

Playing our memory game. We play this game a lot and by a lot I mean every other hour.

This baby makes me want 100 more just like him. He is just so amazing.

I love how well the little kids and Bennett play together. They love playing together. They were all hiding from Bennett and Bennett would come around the corner say Gotcha! They loved it!

These two love each other so much. Nothing like a hot chocolate milkstache.

So pretty for church!

While going through some pictures I saw some random photos that I had not used on my blog yet and they were too cute or fun to miss. I love these little ones so much!