T.G.I.F.

Ok, this is barely going to make it before Friday comes to a close but better late than never!

1. I am very grateful that I was able to go out on Thursday and have a girls night! It was so nice to just go out and be Jen! I had a fun time hanging out with Melissa. We went to and Art Museum, a farmers market and of course the best part of the night was dessert. We got a slice of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory! It was so yummy! And it was my first time down to the plaza and I am so going back! I'm thankful to have girls nights because there are going to be many more to come!
2. I am very grateful to have a husband who was more than willing to let me go out and watch the boys so I could have my own time. I was very thankful that he was so obliging because I really needed it. It's so nice to have a husband back in town!
3. And finally I am thankful to have groceries. I love when my cupboards are full of food! Is that just not the best feeling to see food there that you actually will eat! And I don't know if it's just me but the prices of groceries seem to have some down some or they are having more sales but whatever the case may be I feel like I'm getting more for my dollar! So, I'm so grateful that we have plenty of food (and even junk food) in the house!
   

Sleeping baby

I love watching my babies sleep. I just think that there is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby. I realized the other day that I don't have many pictures of Colton sleeping so I snapped some this morning of him sleeping. Isn't he so precious? When I was trying to wean him of his midnight nursing, I slept with that lion for a few nights and then put it in his crib with him so it would remind him of me. And let me tell you, it did the trick! He now sleeps all night long. He doesn't wake up until 6:30-7am to nurse and then goes back to sleep for a little bit longer. But I just love these sweet moments, I wish I could just freeze time! They just don't stay babies for very long, they grow up so stinking fast! And not that I'm prejudiced but isn't he such a cute litte sleeper?!

Rain, Rain, Rain

Look at our "sandbox" filled with water


RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY AND COME AGAIN ANOTHER DAY! According to our weather forecast it looks like we got our wish for the afternoon. It's been raining, and raining and raining lately. But by mid-day it finally stopped for the rest of the day. But rest assured it is hasn't gone away for good yet, I think it said we have rain in the forecast everyday at least until next Wednesday. The other day it said we had something like 6 1/2 inches of rain just in April alone. I was trying to find an exact amount but all I found was that since March 1st we have had a whopping 12 inches of rain. Is that crazy or what! But as a plus side, everything is soooo green and vibrant. It's just absolutely beautiful. Our lawn is loving it, loving it too much. It is getting out of control long but there's not been a chance to mow it because of all the rain. But, tonight I decided since it wasn't raining and it felt nice out I would let the boys play in the pool a.k.a sandbox. I got them into some old play clothes and let them play to their hearts content. There are a lot of pictures, I just kept snapping. And sorry if they aren't that clear, it wasn't until I was downloading them that I noticed I had a smudge on my lens. Oh, yeah, and since it's T.G.I.F I am thankful for 1: Rain, it's making everything vibrant and beautiful and the smell of rain is awesome. 2: Thankful to know that there is a reason behind Nate's accident and have a course of action to correct it. 3" boys that like to get down and dirty and brighten my day.


My three guys


Notice Nate, he's jumping in the puddle


Now Josh is running through the puddle


Colton gets his hands into it


Not afraid to get dirty!


Josh and Colton filling up the dump truck


sand + buckets + shovels + dump trucks= happy boys


Colton helping fill the truck


I'm having fun


Need to fill my bucket


Look at that plummer's crack


Nate makes sandy soup


Need more sand

Wet baby

What do you do on a warm spring day? Wash your car of course! It was such a beautiful day that we took advantage of hosing down the mom-mobile! I only had 2 little helpers today; Josh ended up having a nap while we cleaned. And finally here are some fun pictures to look at, (well fun for me to look at) So, I'll let the pictures do all the talking. Side note, Nate was there but he didn't want any pictures of him taken so I focused my attention on the wee one! And Colton is walking now, well, the very unstable walking but here are the first pictures that I've actually gotten of him doing it. Sadly it's been going on for like a month and I just haven't captured it on the camera. Again, that poor 3rd child gets left behind in so many ways!



Colton finds a puddle of dirty water


Look at how dirty his pants are! (I really don't care if they come clean cause all 3 boys have worn them and they've served their purpose)


We teach them young to wash our cars


I'm a stud, I can stand!


A little bit of attitude


Colton is stepping forward to give me his dandelion


Look mom, somehow it got all wet


Ok, I'll hang on to it myself

T.G.I.F.

Wow, another week gone by and not much has happened on my blog. I have been in a blogging slump for a while now. I promise I'm trying to get back to it again. But for now I'll do my gratitude list.

1. I am sooooooooooooo grateful to have my husband back home. It has been wonderful to have him around, it makes the evenings less lonely and the boys are able to get some wiggles out by wrestling. The best thing of all has been meal time, it doesn't end up being an all night event for me, he can distract the boys so I can fix it, he helps get them served and helps clean up; it makes the whole ordeal so much quicker and easier so sadly to say that this has been the highlight of his homecoming.
2. I am grateful for my big, fenced in back yard. I love having a big yard for the boys to play in and run around. It's been one of the best advantage of owning a home. I love knowing that I can send them outside and close the gate and let them play while I'm inside. I love that I can do that!
3. I am grateful that I know own my very own piano. I am loving having a piano in my home. Thanks to my mom and Danny making it possible to get me one. It's been so fun to just sit down and play the piano and practice my "skills" again. I am a bit rusty but I have sat down and played everyday since I got it. I love looking over and seeing a piano, I've had a goal to own my own piano for a long time and now it's been fulfilled and I love it.
   

T.G.I.F.

So, boy, has it been like forever since I last made one of these posts! I feel like I'm always on the go. I'm always running around picking Nate up from school, or shopping or doing errands or cleaning, always cleaning. Something is always going on and it's not until like 10 or 11pm that I'm able to literally sit down and just veg so then I'm up way to late. I thought I'd have all this down time to do all sorts of things and projects since Danny would be gone but now, I'm a week out and I haven't done one thing that I'd hoped for, life has simply been to busy! But as busy as it's been I definitely have many blessings to be grateful for which in no particular order:

1. I am so grateful for friends. Good friends who have kept me sane while I've been flying single. I have been so blessed to be surrounded by such great people who willingly have given of their time and services (especially jump starting a van). I'm not going to name names because there are just too many but thank your for awesome friendships.
   
2. I was listening to my ipod the other day and the country song "Let them be little" came on (I don't remember the singer) and I had tears in my eyes. I have been fighting alot with one of my sons and it really made me stop and think; kids are little for such a short time and they grow so fast. The years just seem to fly by, it seems like yesterday that I just had my first and that was 5 1/2 years ago and now I have 3. But it helped me realize that I need to focus on the bigger picture of things, not the poopy underwear and the constant messes, but the bigger more pertinent issues like them gaining a testimony of our Savior and our Father in Heaven. So, I am grateful that I've been given the opportunity to be a mother, their mother. And I'm grateful that I can be a stay-at-home-mom and really see them "be little".
   
3. I am grateful for prayer. I have turned to prayer so many times in my life and continue to do so because I know He can hear me. It doesn't matter what I pray for or when I pray, I know He is listening and nows my heart. When I'm scared or lonely or in need I know He is there waiting to comfort me. And I know that He does comfort us, He has comforted me many, many times. I am so grateful our Father in Heaven has given us the gift of prayer and since He can't be here to put His arm around us, He does however, wrap us up in His spirit of love and concern. So, I'm forever indebted to Him!
   

Josh's party on his birthday

I know, another post about Josh and his birthday and it's a lot of pictures. This was from Friday, Josh's actual birthday. It was just me and the 3 boys celebrating his birthday. I think he had a lot of fun. Nate and I would sing to him all day and he would just get so smiley. He loved all his presents but I think he's really enjoyed his very own back pack. We ran some errands that day and he wore it with us to the store. He and Nate really enjoyed his jumper, they had fun with it that day but now it's been to cold to use it. That night when it came time to light the candles and have some cake, I could not find any lighter or matches. I seriously searched my house everywhere for an hour and found nothing. So, I ran to my neighbors and borrowed a lighter from her, then when I returned it she handed me a cheap one to keep cause she figured I should have one in my home just to be safe. But it was really nice of her, I'm just glad that Josh had candles to blow out cause that just wouldn't have been a birthday with out making a wish. All in all, I think we let him know it was his special day cause he was smiles all day long.

Josh all excited about his backpack

Nate eating his ice cream cone (this is out of order but I couldn't get it to move)

He loved "our" scobby doo movie as he called it.

He has enjoyed this Velcro glove.

Everyone gets in on the fun of unwrapping.

Testing out his new jumper

My 3 boys. I couldn't not get Colton to stop chewing on it no matter what I did.

These are the pics of Josh's cake that I made him. Although it's suppose to be a car, I think it looked a little more like a van but it still turned out pretty fun. Josh loved it! The tools that Ronda gave me really made all the difference. I know it's not perfect but for me it was pretty good, I just need lots more practice. But this cake is pretty easy to make. I spent about 2 hours on it the night before and the boys were right there with me the entire time watching it come together. Josh really loved his cake even though now he says that Mommy ate all his cake. (oops, I really did it was so yummy and moist, I just couldn't stop myself.) But here's another look at the cake.

My big 3 year old with his cake

Blowing out his candles

Enjoying his cake and icecream.

My mister Colton finishing his icecream cone. And yes, he really did eat the entire thing and actually whined to have more but I held strong and didn't give in.

Happy 3rd Birthday Josh!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH!

April 3, 2006

April 3, 2007


April 3, 2008



Today

Happy Birthday Josh! It's hard to believe you are 3 already! You may be our 'small-fry' but you have so much spunk and determination in that little body! You don't let anything stop you when you put your mind to it. You have been cursed to be vertically challenged but that has never seemed to phase you at all. I laugh because I find your stool all over the house because you have to drag it around just to turn lights on, brush your teeth or even use the stool to climb up on the toilet, you poor boy! You have the most contagious smile, I can just look at you and you will be all smiles, and I can't help but smile back. You have such a strong will to do things your way and while it can be infuriating, I love that you have that will. It amazes me that you are not afraid of older kids, who just tower over you, you do not let them bully you around. I'm amazed that you can literally take Nate down to the ground. (In school this will really be handy since you are so tiny)
But at the same time, you are also so easy going and just go with the flow of life. Whatever I need to get done you are just willing to go along with it. And I know you are smart, you just choose not to let us all know what you really know. You always act like you don't know things like your colors when in reality you do. Josh, you are so independent and care-free and not at all afraid to be alone that as your mom I am guilty of not spending enough time with you. You are a great boy and I'm so glad that you are in our family! You are my little funny man that just keeps me laughing all the time. I know that Nate loves having you around to play with and Colton loves his big brother because he makes him laugh! Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know simply because of who you are! We all love you so much!
Happy Birthday Josh!

Crazy Hair Day

Today was crazy hair day at Nate's school and this is what we managed to pull together. Nate loved it and Josh laughed at Nate when he saw it. Amazingly enough it really didn't take a ton of gel to get this look!

Utah Trip

These are some of my misc. pictures that I had left from our Utah trip. I really didn't do to well at taking pictures while I was there.

Tilisa is trying to get out of the picture but I still got her. And Colton is enjoying one of Josh's birthday cupcakes. Thanks goodness there is soap!

Taking advantage of Grandma & Grandpa's hot tub! The boys love it just as much as all the adults! (My mom is going to kill me for putting his up!!)

So, I have now been home for a week now since my vacation to Utah and I'm just now writing about it. I took this last week to just rest from my vacation since we were so busy up there. We had a lot of fun! Nate probably loved playing the Wii the most. For Josh is was probably having a birthday party for himself and Colton just loved everyone giving him attention and loves. I think my favorite, well, I had lots of favorites but it would have to be the girls night out. (no kids, yeah!) I went out with my mom, Tilisa and Janae to dinner and an Esthetics school to get pampered. I got a facial and a full body bronzer. The whole thing was so relaxing and nice. I love being pampered. And even though the bronzer had lots of streaks, mostly my legs, it was still fun! And thanks Grandpa and uncles for watching the boys I really needed the break!

From the beginning of the trip it was just a riot! On our second day there, right after lunch, Nate says he needs to throw up. So, I'm pulling off the freeway, Kyle is literally handing him a grocery bag in his fingertips, he didn't make it and threw up all over Josh's car seat, gross! We cleaned up what we could with water bottles on the side of the road, then put it in the trunk. Josh then got Nate's booster seat and Nate sat on blankets with just a seat belt. But the rest of the trip the car stunk! Little did I know that was the beginning of throwing up. A week later, my mom and us were heading to Logan for Lily's baby blessing when Josh said he needed a bag. Well, I didn't realize it was cause he needed to throw up. I told him to hold on cause I was pulling over to give Nate a cheese stick anyways, well, he didn't wait and threw up! Mostly is was just on his church clothes, luckily I brought extra clothes but not dressy ones. So, he was super casual at church that day. But needless to say we cleaned it all up and still made it on time. At this point I am just laughing at it all. Well, another trip up to Logan to buy cheese and pepperidge farm cookies we make it back to Syracuse and stopped getting gas when Josh throws up all over again. It was just funny to me, I just figured it was Colton's turn next. But it wasn't, yet again, 30 minutes into our return trip home to Missouri Josh throws up. And continues to throw up into a Slurpee cup that day only because at this point he has a cough that is so strong and long it was making him puke. The other times were just from too much junk! BTW, I've never washed a car seat so many times in my life! Since we are talking sick here, it was Friday night and we are scheduled to leave Saturday morning by 8 or 9 am. Well, Colton has a fever and is just miserable so I call Wee Care and at first I was going to take him in at 12:20AM but then he finally feel asleep so they we arranged for a 7:50am appt. So, I take him in that morning and he was an ear infection and some kind of virus. So, I go get antibiotics and more Tylenol and Motrin that morning. But as a plus, I was able to buy Twilight since I was already out so early. He still had some wheezing lingering on and he'll finish is antibiotics tomorrow. It was a miserable trip for him, poor little guy!

I'm trying to think of all the things we did up there. I've already posted about the birthday party and Chuck-E-Cheese. The only thing that was on my "must do" list was get some good Mexican food! And I have to say that my wish was granted. Pop and mom took us to a great Mexican restaurant and it totally hit the spot, that carne asada burrito was exactly what I was craving!We also made it to a candy factory in SLC, yummy! We did some shopping for some decorations for my home, and that was kind of overwhelming. Oh, the very next morning I got there, Danny's brother David, got married in the SLC temple. I was so glad that I was able to see him and Carrie get sealed for time and all eternity. I am so excited for him, he just looks so happy! We had pictures taken of all the grandkids for my mom. They turned out so cute, Target in Layton does so much better than my Target out here. I'm giving up on my Target! Oh, and it was so awesome of Aaron and Janae to take Nate and Josh for a night. I know they had a lot of fun at McDonald's and sleeping in "their" room, thanks for their sleepover. Of course there was hair cuts involved while I was there. That's to be expected but I don't mind. I was able to get some fun stickers out of it. We were able to visit with friends, Becky, Kennedy, Jackson and met Hallie for the first time and go to the Air Force museum with them. We had lots of fun. And most importantly while we were there, we were able to spend lots of time with our family. It was so nice to have us all there (except for Danny) but it was a lot of fun just talking and laughing. I wish I lived closer to all my family, I wish I could have it both ways, have what I have here in Missouri but also be nice and close to my family. I guess they are just going to have to all move here so I better get them convinced that's what they should do. Well, if you are still reading this, sorry it's so long but we did so many things in our 2 short weeks. It just went by way to fast, and the good-byes are always tough especially for those left behind. And my poor tender hearted Nate just has his heart broken every time we say bye. Well, thanks for helping me drive Kyle and Kellen and all the help with the boys and packing and unpacking. I couldn't have done it without you. And thanks pop and mom for all the fun!

CHUCK-E-CHEESES

The one and only Chuck-E-Cheese!


Nate and Josh enjoying a simulated roller coaster.


I loved watching their faces as they went up and down on the roller coaster!


How cute is this with Josh and Colton cruising in the jeep. I love Colton's sweet smile!


Grandma and Grandpa watching the boys have some fun!


Josh is trying his hand at bowling!


This is the closest we can get to a real horse ride for Nate!


It's not complete unless until you have some pizza! (They couldn't play unless they ate their pizza and let me tell you they ate it all and even asked for seconds!)

Grandma and Grandpa spoiled the boys by taking them to Chuck-E-Cheeses when we first got there. This was one of the first things we did because Nate insisted on going there immediately. Which is good we did since things were so busy the whole time we were there. The boys had a lot of fun going from one thing to another. Josh would start one thing and loose interest really quickly so he was all over the place. He had fun just doing things on his own. He didn't really care what it was. Nate on the other hand likes people to be with him so Grandpa was his buddy and helped him spend his coins. And sweet, sweet little Colton was such a great boy the whole two hours we were there. He did so good, not once did he cry or fuss. He's such an awesome, easy going baby. I just love that kid! There was some fun games and things to do at Chuck-e-Cheeses. And it was even better because we went in the middle of the day in the middle of the week. I can't even imagine how busy it would be on a Friday or Saturday, that just seems miserable to me. But the boys had a blast and really enjoyed themselves there, so thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the fun and spoiling the boys rotten!