The Big 30!

This week has been packed full of lots of fun and it is only Wednesday morning. Tonya and the boys are visiting so we went to the zoo with them and the Kitchens on Monday. Monday night we went had FHE at the Jannings house. We helped them cut up and burn some branches that had fallen during a storm. The kids had lots of fun roasting hotdogs and marshamallows. Tuesday was a big day for me---I turned 30!! It wasn't as strange of a feeling as I thought it would be. I started the day out with an intense workout video (compliments of Yvonne!) that has me moving like a little old lady today. The rest of the morning wasn't so fun as I was trying to solve a painful nursing problem. Then it was off to lunch at Shelly's house where some more of my friends surprised me with a little get-together. It was lots of fun! Then for dinner Jared took me to Brio with Jay and Yvonne. We have been friends for about 7 yrs and have never gone out with them. I had never eaten at Brio and have always wanted to so I was very excited!! Is it any wonder that we all slept in today? I drove Katy to school in my PJ's since we missed the bus( that was on purpose-I turned off my alarm) and I am still in my PJs now!! Now, its off the the park.

Picture Perfect

Here are some pictures from the last week or two and a cute story on Bella. Yesterday at Stake Conference, after the closing song, Jared told Bella to fold her arms it was time for prayer. She answered "Me say it?" with a hopeful look in her eyes. She looked so disappointed when he told her the lady walking to the front was going to pray.


3 handsome guys: (we missed the 4th cousin)

Happy family:

3 cutie pies:

cousins:

Katy and her good friend Haylee

Icecream cones, chinese firedrills, and the power of mom

(I have always regretted that I stopped keeping a journal after the birth of my first child. A child's early years are one of the most important times to keep a journal, and thats when I quit. I remember that Katy always had us in stitches from the funny things she'd say , but we don't remember what all those funny things were. So the purpose of this entry is to document some of Alexandra's funnys from the last few weeks)

On Wednesday I needed to go into Katy's school to take pictures for the Pride day bulletinboard. This is a conversation that took place when I was bribing the girls to be good.
Me: After the park we are going to go to Katy's school. If you are very good and stay right by me, I will give you an ice cream cone when we get home
Alexandra: Are you going to put icecream in the cone?

- I have never just given her a cone without icecream so what made her think I might just give her an empty cone? Not sure where the logic was on that one

The other day after coming across a mess someone had made I went to seek out the culprit. Katy was at school so that eliminated her. I asked Xandra and Bella and both professed innocence. I am pretty good at telling when Bella is lying and was pretty convinced she was innocent. I again approached Xandra and asked if she had done it. She again claimed she hadn't. I reminded her that Jesus knew if she was lying and said "Xandra you made the mess, I know you did, and I need you to admit it. Her eyes got as big as saucers and she incredously asked "How did you know that?" My response: "'Cause I'm a mommy!"

Growing up we had "Chinese Fire Drills" in our house. I don't know if this is a common term or not but basically everyone in the family went as fast as they could for five minutes to tidy the house. I have instituted this with the girls in the evening before Daddy comes home. One day when Alexandra was upset with me she decided to threaten me. She put her hands on her hip and said "Fine, but I'm not doing anymore "tiny firedrills". I almost burst out laughing and her translation of what I'm saying.

Kisses from Heaven

I love little baby kisses. Jacob has been "giving" me kisses or his form of them for about a week now. I wasn't sure if thats really what he was doing at first. I still wondered if he wasn't just hungry and trying to latch on. Last night, for a whole slew of reason that I won't bore you with, I was crying. When Jared found me, he had Jacob with him. Jacob reached for me and then plastered a big "Kiss" on my cheek. Then he smiled and started to play with something else- no signs at all of being hungry. It made me feel soooo much better. There is nothing better in the world then a kiss from a cute little baby.

I'm so glad when Daddy comes Home....

...Glad as I can be. Seriously, I look forward to the moment when Jared walks in the door each day. That is the moment that I know the day will get better. I'm no longer solely responsible for feeding the baby, while breaking up arguments, while cleaning up spills, while helping with homework, while trying to make something semi-edible to put on the table as dinner. When I hear the sound of the garage door opening my whole body relaxes. I know that if at that moment I just can't take anymore and need to leave for a few minutes- that is no longer considered a legal crime. A big round of applause goes out to those women whose husbands travel all the time. You are stronger women than me. I often wonder, would I be able to handle it if needed. I have gotten pretty dependent these last 8 years, but once upon a time a was a pretty independent person. For example, I used to know how to take out the garbage. Now, I know that if its full in the afternoon, I can usually wait till Jared gets home if I shove things down. Jared may end up traveling more with his job and then I will have to face the music, but at least for now, I will enjoy the fact everyday I will hear the beautiful sound of the garage door opener.

On a side note, here are some pictures from Monday night. We did some yard work for FHE. The girls were pretty disappointed since they wanted to fly a kite but icecream cones fro refreshments helped pacify them. I was loving the beautiful evening!

we had so many sticks and leaves we decided to build a fire and burn some:


The girls picking up sticks:

what a big boy!

of course there is always time for fun...

First time on the swings at the park

We went to the park last Monday and Jacob had a wonderful time on the swings. It was nice to be outside enjoying the nice day.