Aubrey & Brody

- So we spent Friday night (until 4am) and ALL day Saturday trimming and finishing up our basement.  We were exhausted!  Ceri had taken the kids Friday night until late Saturday afternoon for us.  As we were finishing up a few things last night, Aubrey came down into the man cave with her two bags and cleaned up most of all the chunks of trim and wood.  Jack came down and asked her who had told her to clean it up and she told him no one...that she just wanted to help!
- We were going over a construction bridge after we picked up the kids from Ceri's yesterday...as we were going over I pointed out the big tractors to Brody!  He said "Cool" then after looking out the window said "careful mommy!"  He is coming up with the funniest stuff right now.
- The kids have been fighting like crazy so Jack and I have been talking to them about teamwork etc. and trying to help them get along.  It has been a good 2 days...I am hoping for more!

Deflated

This about sums up how I am feeling today.  I studied probably 20 hours for an anat and phys test to come out of it with a D!  My last test I studied about the same amount and got a 98%.  It is the difference between slides and terms I guess.  I am so much better at remembering pictures than terms.  So my beloved A turned into a B+ today in that class.  So today i am thankful for a loving and supportive husband who believes that I can do this...because today I am feeling like I can't!

February Catch Up!

Just a few notes I need to write down about my kiddos so I don't forget!  Brody's new obsession for the last few weeks has been to watch Tangled Bebe.  (The movie Tangled...but Aubrey has a Tangled doll so this has become the name).  Last night we were able to convince him that Nemo would be a good movie to try so hopefully this continues.  I am about Tangled out.  We just had Zoey here for the last four days and we had lots of fun with her.  Though everyone was exhausted so I am taking my kids to school late this morning after everyone wakes up...they are just barely starting to stir.  We are in debates over whether to put our house up for sale or just wait until I am done with school.  There are some great deals out there right now and the interest rates are awesome.  We are trying to do a lot of prep work and we got a lot done this weekend.  I am hoping to have a realtor come in the next few days to give us her opinion.  I have made it through the first 5 weeks of school with A's.  Let's hope I can keep it up for the next 10 and then I am done for the semester.

Brody's Prayer

Last night at dinner Brody wanted to say the prayer...this is how it went.  Heavenly Father (how ever he says it) day, mommys school, food, strong, amen.  All by himself with no help!  He was so proud and so were we!  It is so fun to watch my kids grow.

They are living the life

These two definitely are living the dream life these days!  Since I have started school they have done more of this than I would ever care to admit.  We have never been big TV watchers but now days it is a different story.  I knew school would take a lot of time but I didn't expect it to take as much of my time as it does.  I spend on average 30-40 hours a week on homework.  I don't ever remember studying period last time I went to college.  :)  I am loving it though!  I am currently taking my Foundations English, Psychology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Book of Mormon (1st half).  I have loved using my brain again but it has been a struggle to keep up with everything else.  My kids and Jack have been such a big help with keeping up with the house, dinners, entertaining these 2 little yahoos, etc.  I truly am blessed with a great family.  But seriously who wouldn't want to lounge around as much as these two! 

Guess what happened today?

Prayer

As is typical since I have been in school, when Jack gets home he gets the kids dinner and gets things going for the evening.  Cold cereal was on the menu (not really but that's what the kids picked tonight). Afterwards, we started family home evening and Jack asked Carson to pray.  His prayer was so sincere in the things he asked for. (That we can listen to mom and dad the first time & that we can listen for the spirit & I am hoping to remember what else).  He doesn't always like to pray and when is asked he will flat out tell us no a lot of the time, so it was nice to hear a sincere prayer.  Afterwards a game of Phase 10 was played.  As we were getting the kids ready for bed Addi came to us and said she needed to talk and the tears started to flow.  She cried and said how worried she had been about an incident that occurred at school months ago!  She said she had been walking down the bike path and a boy said that someone could take her and make her smoke pot.  (she had no idea what pot was) She said she had been worried about it since then and had been praying about it, but didn't want to talk to us about it.  We assured her that we take precautions on the way to school so that no one will take her and reviewed the safety rules and told her that no one can make her smoke anything she doesn't want to.  Then she expressed some concerns about a friend of hers who's parents are getting divorced (she found out last week).  She expressed her desire to do something nice for this friend but didn't know what to do.  (she also said she wasn't worried that we would get a divorce)  :)  We told her to take a few days to think about it and then let us know and we would help her to do whatever it is she wants.  How grateful I am for such sweet kids in our home.  I know they have a testimony of their Heavenly Father and a testimony of prayer. 



 

Just a cute pic of my Addi!  She is just to dang cute!

Brody Turns 2

It is not ideal to have a birthday the day after Christmas!  Everyone  is a bit partied out by then, but I am determined to make the best of it.  Jack of course had to work so we planned the party for right after work.  We had nachos for dinner and then homemade oreo cookies for his "cake". 

 Just a few things we love about our Brody.
-He is so chatty.  He talks from sun up to sun down.  And he comes up with some pretty funny things.
-He is potty trained and probably my easiest potty trainer. 
-He still has an tear duct that gets plugged up so his face is always and I mean ALWAYS a little red.  (see above pic.)  We need to address this at his apt this week. 
-My most chill kid.  He goes along with everything and I mean everything!  But he does hate shopping. 

 -He is so tall.  He is in all 3T cloths. 
 -He is still the "baby of the family" and wants everything when he wants it.  We are trying to teach sharing and patience.
-He loves babies.  But he is sure to say he wants no babies in this house.  He loves when they come to visit but he doesn't want any staying. 
-He is a social bug and loves to go to Grandmas, Stef's, or Nicholas house.  He does not like to be left out. 
-Loves cookies and asks for them all the time.
-Loves to play "dancing" on the wii.
-Loves bathtime with "colors"

We sure love having this little boy around.  He is constantly on
the go and has already outgrown daily naps.  He is so much
fun and I can't imagine life without him.  Love my
little man!

 For his birthday this year he got...a beanbag from Zane and Megan.  New jammies from Nichola and Cory (see outfit change) he wanted them on right then and there.  Undies, dinosaurs, and dino book from Grandma.  Spiderman with an airplane from Stef and Korey.  Basketball hoop from Mom and Dad. 

Christmas

 

 

For some reason I had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit, but none the less we had a great time.  For the first year ever we put lights up on the house...(stef put lights up on the house.)  We had a great time doing our annual tradition FHE with the Mann's and the Torman's and the Mercer Christmas Party.   We went to Salt Lake and saw the lights and had a little family get together.  We had the ward party (the first one we have been able to go to in years.)  Here is a sneak picture of how that went. 

 

Brody was not a huge fan of Santa at the
Ward Party.  When you ask if he likes
him he says "don't know".  I think he is confused
because he brought toys!. 

Jackson has not believed in Santa for Several years, but he is a great sport for his siblings.  This year he got and IPod, cloths, basketball, and a new packers pillowcase. He also got a scope for his gun. 

J

Add still very much believes in Santa.  I think she is starting to get it but she
doesn't want to yet.  She got Piano books and lessons, cloths, pillow & case &
MP3 Player.  She also got her art stand with accessories.

Carson goes along with anything!  This year he got KNEX, cloths,
hunting pillow and case, a remote control car.  He also got his
fishing pole and he can't wait for summer.

Aubrey loves Santa.  As she was opening her gift
she screamed "Santa is awesome".   She got
a lalaloopsy doll, a pillow and case, cloths, and
more mini lalaloopsys. Aubrey also got her pig
from IKEA that she loved! 

Brody got cloths, a dinosaur pillow and case, a little
letter, number, song player thing.  He also got a pop gun
which he loves that is super obnoxious!  Yay for noisy
toys!

 

That's It!

I just read through my last few years of blogging and about started to cry.  I never and I mean never write in a journal, so my new personal goal it to write just one or twice a week even with no pics.  I need to write down the amazing things my kids are doing, so that I don't forget it all.  So...so long 2012...I will never remember much of what happened because I didn't write it down, but hello 2013...I will remember it all...the good, the bad, and the ugly! 

Getting Old

So for the last few days I have been wearing my hair down ( and I actually think I like it)...anyways today thought I caught a glimpse of some gray hairs on the top. I asked Jackson and Addison to look at it for me. After explaining that I thought I saw some white or gray hair Addi says "you know mom...if you get gray or white hair that mean your hair thinks you are getting old!" "Sometimes it is true too." From the mouth of babes! Thankfully no gray or white hairs here!!!

A New Year

I really am going to be better this year! I am going to journal more and enjoy the small things in life! I really am worried that one day I will wake up and worry where the last 10 years have gone and not have anything documented! Gone are the days to have time to scrap book (really like 4 years ago!) so I really need to be better at remembering the moments! (Even the not so pleasurable ones!)

Jackson's Baptism

This year our oldest "little" boy got baptized on September 10! How the last 8 years went so fast is beyond me. The day was fabulous. The amount of love and support that was shown to him will never be forgotten (and my grandma Sue from WI got to be there with us). The baptism was held at the Iona Stake Building which is just a few miles from us. Addison, Rylee (cousin), Skylar and Kenlee (cousins), and June and Lily (neighbors) were sang a little baptism melody song and Jack baptized him. I could not have asked for a better day...it was incredible for Jack and I to say the least. Afterwards we had a lunch in the backyard...he wanted a nacho bar so that is what we did.

Just a few notes of what Jackson is up to now...

- Great student and super helpful
- Sometimes I honestly forget he is ONLY 8.

- Loves to play just about anything

- Acts JUST LIKE his dad! (Seriously...they are two peas in a pod)

- He is such a Homebody!
We are so proud of the young man he is becoming. He is a great son and brother. He makes life so easy...and I swear he just came like that!

War Bonnet Roundup!

I am putting my posts in no specific order...I just need to get caught up for my journaling. We took the boys to see the War Bonnet Roundup the first week of August. Wally and Nancy and their girls went, Stef and a few of her friends, and us. It was fun...however we did get rained on several times but in the middle of a HOT streak it acturally felt really good. We just got a few shots....We took Jackson and Carson with us, Jackson had been before but this was Carson's first time.

Sisters!

I NEVER wanted girls. I thought having just boys would be the way to go. After having Addi I didn't want another girl but I really wanted her to have a sister...so I was elated when we had Aubrey...and to watch their bond is incredible. My girls have always liked eachother but in these last few months they have developed a strong friendship and I LOVE it. They have found quite a few things in common to do. Aubrey loves Addi to do her hair, they love to dress up, play dolls, and just act plain old silly together and when one leaves to go, the other almost lost without the other! (does that make sense?)
On to my sisters...I am truely lucky! I really can't even comprehend life without my sisters. I didn't always think it would matter! I was the oldest and some were a lot younger than I was and we are all totally different than eachother...but as they moved to ID and into our house for a bit...it has been the best blessing that I was able to get to know them! I know that I can always let my hair down and be me with them and I can't wait for Alexa to move closer next year!!! They are always there for me whether it is to comfort, help, or just entertain me...I know that they are just a phone call away!

I am truely blessed with these ladies in my life. I hope that as my girls get older they will continue to find the positives in eachother and love eachother for who they are!

Addi turns 6!!!

A few weeks ago was Addi's birthday! She really wanted to have some friends go to the park, so we met at a new park over by the temple...which is really fun. We all brought a picnic and let the kids play. I was going to do some cupcakes but she decided she wanted icecream sandwichs instead. Then we did some shopping which she loved, though Jackson complained the whole time that Addi was spoiled and he didn't ever get anything...yea right! Later that night after Jack came home we did gifts and MORE ice cream sandwiches. We even put her candles in one. Here are a few of the things about Addi!
- Extremely over sensetive!
- LOVES school
- Her hair still doesn't grow....she told Aubrey in the tub the other night how long her hair was getting and just sighed. :(
- Likes shishkabobs. ( I just asked her what she liked and this is what she came up with)
- Extremely social!
- Likes to play with her cousins!

Jack and I just looked at eachother on her birthday and laughed because quite honestly we didn't think she would make it to turn 6! We sure do love our Addi Jane!
-

These Kiddos call me Mom

My heart is always full...my kids are my world...oh yea and I am pretty fond of Jack too. But seriously I have been so blessed. I have the best kids in the world. They are so fun and still love me for all of my shortcomings. I do not profess to be the best mom by any means but I hope that my kids know that they come before anything! Sure I loose my temper, yell too much, run around like a crazy lady, and some days feel like I am barely holding it all together but I have never in my life felt as complete as I do at this moment. I feel so honored to have been trusted with these kids. I was talking to Jackson on the way to a dr. appt the other day and asked him if I was doing okay. He look at me and said..."mom you have been doing this for a long time" , to which I replied "yea, but I have never had five kids before and never have I had a kid who is almost going to be 8", he smiled and said "that is true, but you are doing a really good job." I sure hope so. I love my family more than anything! I have to give Jack credit though...he is the most amazing father and husband. I often feels like he is the glue that holds all this chaos together! We are in this together...but this day I get all the credit right? :)

Aubrey's Birthday

My baby girl turned 2! We are in the typical two year old stage...learning how to share, obey, etc. But she is so fun! It fell on a Wednesday this year so we decided just to have a quick cake and ice cream with our family that was in town. Previous to her birthday when we would ask her if she was excited about her birthday she would tell us no. But I think she had a fun day and will be more excited for birthdays to come.
Just a few notes about Aubrey. She is very attached...she loves mom and dad, Nichola (dindi), Cory, Stef (boppy), and Grandma(gammy). She asks about each one several times a day and although she is just fine with other people, these are her favs. She has been pottytrained through the night for months now. She is gungy (hungry) about every 20-30 mins. She loves jumping on the trampoline. She is doing a lot better at nursery. She makes it about half way through now before she has a melt down and then sleeps all during Priest Quorem with Jack. She loves her brothers and sister. She hardly ever takes a nap anymore unless she falls asleep in the car which is for the best because without fail she wakes up and cries for at least a half an hour. She loves shoes, babies, and hates having her hair done!

We sure do love this little girl. She has a very bubbly and funny personality. She is very determined and stubborn but she is beginning to mellow out. (I never thought the day would come). I am loving every minute of this little girl! (okay, except when she wakes up from naps). We are so happy to have her in our family.

Here she is blowing out her candles. Guess who's lap she is sitting on? Cory's!!!

Rain and Sugar

Just a few funny stories of Carson lately...just so I remember...

This was taken just a few minutes ago...we were talking about the chance of having thunderstorms tonight. Carson said he knew where the rain came from. So I asked him to tell me about it. So he said..."well there is a big cup of water up on the clouds, then it gets dumped out, and then when the cloud gets squeezed, the rain comes out." So when I asked him who squeezes the cloud he replies like I was dumb..."the water guy, I like him, he's awesome." Addi and I had a good laugh about it...the things around his neck are binoculars that he made at school today, they went bird watching!

The picture below is from several months ago. Around Christmas time the kids were into the movie "Elf" One morning I was sitting in my bed feeding Brody and Carson said he was hungry...I told him to just find a little treat and that I would come and get him breakfast in just a minute. So he went to the kitchen and made up this conncoction...half a bag of captain crunch and a measuring cup that was full of syrup! When I walked into the kitchen he was sitting on the floor eating it. When I asked him what it was he just told me that he loved sugar and syrup!

Happy Baby

I can't believe it but my baby is three months old. I took him in on Saturday for his 3 month pics and they turned out super cute. He is a happy baby....here is just a snap shot I took of him for my wall with the kids pics on it.