Thank You, Santa!

Jaxon had walked into the living room to check to see if it had snowed during the night. When he got back to our room he said {with one had on his hip and the other pointing down the hall} "Tsk. Guess what guys? Do you know who came to our house last night? Santa! And he left lots of presents. Come and see!!" Ryker was a little less excited about being pulled from his bed, but he was a trooper and indulged us with loads of Christmas cheer.

The good lil' boys Ryker's first Christmas...

Step one: Smile for the camera!

Step two: Attack the present!!

Step three: Chew on whatever fits in my mouth!!!A soft new blanket of his own A giraffe from Jaxon

Seriously! I love those big brown eyes!!
Enjoying a new book...five seconds before it entered his mouth!

The big gift for the boys...an inflatable bounce house

All Jaxon wanted for Christmas...
a dragon of his very own!
It walks, it roars, it breathes fire...a new best friend!
Super Hero's to the rescue!

A new bomber jacket

Playing with his two new favorite toys....Bumblebee and Dragon
Here they are taking on an entire fleet of dinosaurs.
Hours of endless fun!!!



Don't worry, Santa didn't forget mom and dad. Because of Santa's generosity...Brian will be enjoying football and basketball games in a fit new body while I sing Popular and take pictures of my whole-wheat bread.

We had a wonderful Christmas. The boys were happy and in fairly good health (Ryker was still trying to get over his cold). We had fun being with each other, visiting with family, playing Wii, eating {too much} good food, and enjoying the spirit of the Christmas season.

Merry Christmas

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

I really love being with MY family. Brian and the boys. I love to see our parents and brothers and sisters, but really my favorite place to be is home. I love starting traditions with the boys and doing our own thing. We've spent the last two Christmas Eve's together as a family. We made waffles for dinner, read the story "When Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem" and watched Mr. Kruger's Christmas. The boys each opened up their Christmas Eve gifts....pajamas! (surprise, surprise)Ryker attempting to unwrap his first present.Jaxon's an old pro by now....My sweet little boys in the their new p.j.'s Don't they look so happy to be going to bed?

Jaxon and I were in his room talking about Christmas when suddenly we heard sleigh bells outside his window! He sat right up in bed and {while pointing to the ceiling} exclaimed "I just heard Santa on the roof! Mom! Hurry! Go to bed right now!!!"

Sleep was a long time coming, but eventually Jaxon drifted off with visions of dragons dancing in his head....

More Than Just A Babe

“We can discover He is more than the Babe in Bethlehem, more than the carpenter’s son, more than the greatest teacher ever to live. We can come to know Him as the Son of God. He never fashioned a statue, painted a picture, wrote a poem, or led an army. He never wore a monarch’s crown or held a scepter or threw around His shoulder a purple robe. His forgiveness was unbounded, His patience inexhaustible, His courage without limit. Jesus changed men. He changed their habits, their opinions, their ambitions. He changed their tempers, their dispositions, their natures. He changed men’s hearts.”

– President Thomas S. Monson

Eight Years Ago On This Day

Let It Snow!

Jaxon said he wanted to go outside and help me shovel the snow. So I bundled him up in snowpants, coat, hat, gloves, and boots. I pulled out two snow shovels. One for me and one for my little man.
Jaxon shoveled some snow from the yard to the driveway then quickly realized that there was more fun to be had...

Playing with his dumptruck

Making Snow Angels

Throwing snowballs at me

and watching the "smoke" that comes from his "bref".

Two Thumbs Up

Oh, how I love to read! I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't love to read. I suppose it comes from having a family of readers. Every time we went to visit my grandma and grandpa Anderson we would find Grandpa sitting in his chair or lying on the floor reading the newspaper. He read it from front to back....everyday. My parents showed me a love for reading by reading themselves. Novels, newspapers, magazines, cereal boxes. I also can't remember a Christmas when I didn't get a book. One of my favorite things to do over Christmas vacation is read a new book and eat a box of orange sticks. I am really looking forward to a new book and orange sticks!!!

I recently finished reading a new all-time favorite book, "These Is My Words". I laughed. I cried (okay...sobbed!).I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with Sarah and Jack and I think you will too.

Here's a little excerpt (one of my favorite moments) from the book:

"Kneeling there in the grass at the park, I started to tear up, feeling stiffened and shamed, and wanting to sniff back tears like a baby. And he took liberties and touched my arm and made me look at him square in the face. For a while we kneeled and faced each other as still as two posts in a fence line, until April woke up and came over to me. Just as she did a tear drop that had been blurring my sight rolled onto my face.

She said, Mama got owey? in her baby voice, then stood on her little toes and kissed my cheek, and said, Give you sugar, all better! Then the tear filling my other eye spilled out. She poked out one little pink finger and picked the tear of my cheek, examining it on the tip of her finger as it sparkled. She held it up to Captain Elliot and said, Mama got owey?

He was drilling a hole in my head with his eyes, but he said to April, Yes, honey. Mama's got owey. Straight through her heart I'd reackon."

Sweetheart Tag

*He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? Sports, CSI Miami, or the news

*You're out to eat, what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch

*What's one food he doesn't like? Chocolate

*What kind of drink does he order? Water or Lemonade

*Where did he go to high school? Box Elder

*What size shoe does he wear? 13...I think

*If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Helicopters or Ute memorabilia

*What is his favorite type of sandwich? Ham with chips inside...it's the crunch factor!

*What would he eat every day if he could? sandwiches and vanilla ice cream

*What is his favorite cereal? Cinnamon Life

*What is his favorite sports team? U of U and Jazz

*Who did he vote for? He ended up having to work late and didn't make it to the booths before they closed :~(

*Who is his best friend? hopefully me Ü

*How many places has he lived in? Utah and Philippines

*You bake him a cake for his birthday; what would it be? Carrot

*What could he spend hours doing? Watching sports

*What's something cool about him? He was in the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2002 Olympics. He led in the athletes from the country Lichtenstein. He also tested the athletes who medaled in the Olympics for drugs.

Christmas Tag

Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper

Real tree or Artificial? both....this year the only one being put up is real

When do you put up the tree? The first week of December


When do you take the tree down? Right before New Year's. I've always had to go back to work right after the break so I've needed to use my vacation to clean everything up. I'm sure I'll still take it down around Jan 1st.

Do you like eggnog? Yuck!

Favorite gift received as a child? Pogo-Ball


Hardest person to buy for? My dad and Brian

Easiest person to buy for? Kids....so easy to please. Last year all Jaxon wanted was a bell and a star.

Do you have a nativity scene? Yes...hand carved from the Philippines. I love it!!!

Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, it shows a little love and effort

Worst Christmas gift you ever received? No idea


Favorite Christmas Movie? Polar Express and The Christmas Story

When do you start shopping for Christmas? The first part of December

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes....kind of. Sometimes as a teacher the gifts can be kind of funny. I've used a few as white elephant presents. (Don't worry Kelly....you always gave great gifts!)

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Orange sticks...I eat them while I read my new book

Lights on the tree? Yes, usually white. This year it's the boys turn to decorate the tree. The lights are colored.

Favorite Christmas song? "Where Are You Christmas?" from the Grinch

Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home


Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.... and old red nose.
Angel on the tree top or a star? Star usually. I'm afraid there's a large U on the top of our tree this year. Oh boy!

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning

Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The Christmas Shoe song. It's sweet and everything but enough is enough.

Favorite ornament theme or color? We get an ornament that represents an event from that year. It's fun to reminisce while putting up the ornaments.

Favorite place to have Christmas dinner? With family...where ever that may be


What do you want for Christmas this year? a clean house and happy kids Ü...oh, and a camera would be nice!

Who is most likely to respond to this? Kelly, Heather, Stephanie

Frustration

Do you ever have moments where you are so totally frustrated with yourself? You can see yourself being an idiot and wish you could stop yourself, but can't seem to get a grip? Yeah, that's me right now.

In my ward I serve as the activities committee chairperson (a fancy title for party planner). I have 2 major flaws when it comes to fulfilling this calling:
1)I am not creative (really...I know myself. I can copy, but I have a heck of a time creating)
2) I stress out way too much. I know everyone gets stressed, but I'm afraid I tend to overdo it.

Tonight we had our ward Christmas party. The committee that I serve with is awesome. Really. Sometimes things don't happen until the last moment which causes me to stress....but they pull through and things get done beautifully. So why do I stress? I have learned that when we try to do our very best in serving the Lord, He will always help things turn out. If I know that why do I worry so much?

I am so frustrated with how I react in stressful situations. I get so short with Jaxon and I don't know how Brian deals with my frazzled state. At the very moment that I am getting after Jaxon for trying to taste test the jello on the food table, I am having this out-of-body experience where I can see myself acting like a loon and wishing I could just take a deep breath. I wasn't really upset with Jaxon for trying to eat the jello...he wasn't trying to upset me. He was being 4. He loves jello and wanted a taste. No. It had nothing to do with jello. I was just worried. Worried that people wouldn't come to the party. Worried too many people would come and we would run out of food. Worried that the movie/program wouldn't work. Worried people would think it was lame. Worried. Worried. Worried.

When its all said and done things went well. Yes, there were things I would do differently next year (will there be a next year?) and we had too many technical difficulties for my liking, but really, what could I do? Nothing. Those that came said they had a good time. We didn't run out of food, and we had a pretty good showing.

I'm frustrated that I can't seem to figure out how to not stress. I'm frustrated that I get so impatient with Jaxon and Brian...I couldn't do any of this without them. I hope they realize that I am a work in progress. I'm trying. Really I am.

The Difference 222 Days Make

226 Days

vs

4 Days

Some friends wanted to see pictures of Ryker last night. Unfortunately the only pictures I carry with me are on my phone, and not many at that. One picture that is on there is Ryker right before we left the hospital. It's not until I see pictures of other newborns that I realize just how mini our little man really was. He many still be small for his age (13.4 pounds at 7 months) but you would have to agree that he has grown quite a bit. What he lacks in size he makes up for in personality! We all love to make him giggle and smile....it is so precious!!

This Christmas

This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.

-Howard W Hunter

The Little Things

I'm afraid I've become a little sappy and sentimental in my old age. My babies are growing up and I want them to stop....kind of. Each stage is so fun. I love watching them grow and learn. At the same time the thought of sending my little men to school makes me want to cry. I love that Jaxon likes to be at home. I love that he is my friend and he wants to play with me and doesn't ask to go play with friends (don't get me wrong he loves friends, and one day I'm sure he'll be asking frequently to go and play). I've realized that it's the little things each day that mean the most to me. Too many times at the end of the day I look back and say to myself "I didn't do anything today." Well, maybe the laundry didn't get done, and the bathroom wasn't scrubbed, but really so many good little things take place.

Jaxon loves to play games. It would be pretty safe to say that we play at least one game every day. A couple weeks ago I taught Jaxon how to play checkers. It was so much fun! He caught on pretty quick and we've played it quite a bit ever since.

A while ago while eating lunch I noticed that Jaxon had recreated Stonehenge.

When Jaxon comes home from preschool we have a little routine. I usually ask him on the way home what he did but he won't tell me. "I'll tell you when we get home," he says. We come in the house and we sit on the couch together. "Close your eyes mom and I'll show you what we did." He pulls things out of his backpack one at a time and says "Now look!" He tells me what he learned and we read the little book he made that day together.

It's the little things everyday that mean the most. A phone call from Brian during the day. I hug for no reason. A smile from my baby. Playing games with Jaxon. Making dinner for my family. I am so thankful I get to be a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend. I'm glad I have purpose in my life....and I don't need to leave home to find it.

U Gotta Love It, Baby!

This year we went to the game of all football games. The holy war. The red vs the blue. Yes, the Utes and the Cougars. It was hands down the funnest football game I have ever attended. You could feel the excitement from the moment we got out of the car and started to walk up to the stadium.

I don't understand all the rules of football, though I am trying to figure it out. I also don't understand the intense emotion that comes from the rivalry between Utah and BYU. I had never really cheered for either team until Brian went to the U of U. I'm not a hater, but so many people are. It really bothers me when people boo. Seriously, exactly how old are we? I also want to set the record straight for all those confused fans out there. Not all Utah fans are drunks and not all BYU fans carry temple recommends. There is good and bad in all things....and at all schools. Nuf said.

Now isn't he just the cutest little Ute fan you've ever seen?
Ryker stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. I don't think he would have enjoyed the game like his brother.

Oh, wait. Brother spent the majority of the game asleep! I don't know if you really understand when I say this kid can (and does) sleep anywhere! When he is tired he falls asleep. He has fallen asleep in grocery shopping carts, basketball (and now football) games, and even in the aisle of the store waiting for me to pay. But that's a whole other post in and of itself. Back to the game.
This was the field about 1 minute before it ended. The announcers were telling all the fans to not charge the field after the game because there would be vehicles driving on the field as part of a presentation immediately following the game.

This was the field 30 seconds after it ended. Glad they listened. The truck just inched its way on to the field through the mob of fans.

The majority of the BYU fans left before the game was over so walking out it was a sea of happy, red, Utah-Man singing fans. GO UTES!

That Explains It

Ryker woke up this morning we noticed that he finally cut his first tooth....and his second! His first two teeth at the same time?!? No wonder he didn't feel good. Poor little guy.

Stuff

Yes, I'm alive. Barely. Our home computer decided to call it quits. I've been suffering from internet/computer withdrawals. I told Brian yesterday that I feel like a pioneer...minus the killing dinner and walking for thousands of miles. I have to wait (patiently) for Brian to get home to use the laptop. Then I feel bad because I neglect him while I catch up on everyone's lives via blog and facebook. Because, let's face it. I don't talk to anyone outside of cyberspace. It's pathetic really. Maybe I should pick up the phone or walk down the street. But I can't do that while the baby is sleeping or between loads of laundry.
So here's a snippet of our lives, (because I know you've been dying to know!):

*Went to the Utah/BYU game...it rocked! Go Utes! (Sorry Cougar fans....really)
* Stayed in a condo at Powder Mountain last weekend...so fun to get away
*Ryker gained 1 pound 4 ounces in the last month....so proud of my porker! He is now 13 pounds and 7 months old
*Stressing over the ward Christmas party because that's what I do best
*Really wish I would have finished our Christmas cards prior to the computer crash. I had high hopes of having them out the first week of December.
*We are sick with the crud....

Which is why I am logging off and going to sleep....eventually.

In Case You Were Wondering

Phew, I feel better.

Now that everyone knows how I feel, go and have yourselves a very Happy Thanksgiving!

What Have You Done?

I saw this on my friend Katie's blog and thought I would give it a try.
(The bolded red ones are things I HAVE done.)

What have you done?
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept overnight on a train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when your not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden a gondola in Switzerland
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen Amish country
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (does teaching piano count?)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving....and I never will!
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt...I'm in the process
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous...Steph and Kathryn, remember "Legacy Boy" at EFY?
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. One cavity or less

Boy...there's a lot more I need to add to my bucketlist! (minus the skydiving of course)

Lucky 7 Tag

**7 Things I Can Do**

1)I can vacuum, blog, pick up toys, make dinner, wash mirrors, check emails...all with 1 hand

2) I can make nice little stacks of things I need to organize/put away....but don't.

3) I can listen to Wicked and Mamma Mia soundtracks over and over and over again.

4) I can waste an entire nap time playing Word Challenge and still never beat Kim's score.

5)I can play every hymn in the hymn book....some better than others.

6)I can unscramble letters in the game Huggermugger 99% of the time.

7)I can play board/card games for hours.

**7 Things I Can't Do**

1)I can't stand Wal*Mart and wish I had oodles of money so I didn't have to support them.

2)I can't play video games. I have no skills and I don't see the fascination others see in them. I just don't get it.

3)I can't swim. Maybe I could if I had to save my life or the life of my child. Maybe. I will learn how one day. It's on the top of my bucket list.

4)I can't eat soggy zucchini. It must be a little firm or I will gag. Speaking of gagging...

5)I can't brush my tongue without gagging. Brian claims it's because I stick the toothbrush down my throat. As I tell Jaxon "We must get all the stinky's off our tongue!!"

6)I can't make people be nice to each other though I wish I had that power. It really bothered me at school when kids were mean to each other. It bothers me even more when adults do mean and hurtful things to others. They should know better. Just goes to show that maturity doesn't go with age. You can never be too nice. Nice matters!

7)I can't go a day without checking blogger for updates...unless I am not around a computer....but if I am I find myself checking at least 3 times a day!

**7 Things I Love About Brian**

1) I love that he lets me sleep in on the mornings he is home. He will get up with the boys and feed them breakfast and play with them and let me sleep. He also gets up in the night with the boys. I am a very lucky girl!

2) I love that he really plays with Jaxon. He will wrestle, play Transformers, play Hot Lava (the carpet is hot lava and if you step on it you die. They throw blankets, pillows, whatever they can find, on the floor to get from point A to point B).

3)I love how excited he gets to watch the U of U and the Jazz play. He's like a little boy at Christmas! He is still hoarse from the UofU vs TCU game on Thursday....and he waited in line this morning for 4 1/2 hours for tickets to the BYU vs UofU game.

4) I love that he doesn't get upset with me. Even if I do stupid things like letting door-to-door salesmen in the house for a free carpet cleaning and then subsequently waste 4 hours of my life.

5)I love that he encourages me to do things for me. He is always willing to stay home with the boys so I can have a girls night with friends, go to Enrichment meetings, or just go to the store.

6) I love the games he plays in the car. "Who can find the first....(blue truck, police car, airplane, etc)" Jaxon will start the game on his own now! I love it!

7)I love how he is the first to volunteer to help and the last one to leave. He is always willing to help out family and friends. He can see something that needs to be done and he takes the initiative and does it.

**7 Things I Say Most Often**

1)"Jaxon! 5,4,3..."

2)"Turn off the water" said to Jaxon, who responds with "But, mom! I'm doing the dishes!"

3)"Seriously!!"

4)"I love you"

5)"Hello Ryker Bean! Did you wake up?" (usually after a 35 min nap)

6)"What to do. What to do."

7)"Just a second, bud"

**7 Celebrity Admirations**

1)Word Girl

2)Tracy Turnblad

3)Elphaba

4)Jamie Sullivan

5)Kathleen Kelly

6)Danielle "Rudy" Ruettiger

7)Jack Sommersby

**7 Favorite Foods**

1)Swedish Fish

2)Rice

3)Tootsie Rolls...fruity and regular

4)Chocolate covered cinnamon bears

5)Teriyaki Chicken

6)Salad

7)French bread

**Tag 7 people**

Heather, Jenn, Kathryn, Katherine, Julie, Kayla, Bonnie

Eenie, Meenie, Minee, Moe

...where will this election go?

I've never been big into politics, but this election, more than ever, I feel like I will be affected when the votes are tallied. Health care, education, the economy. They've all been debated in past elections but I was a child and "when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a [mom], I put away childish things." (1 Corinthians 13:11) Now I am responsible for my children's futures. Now I feel that my voice as a voter should count. Really I feel unsettled with both candidates. I believe that politicians are salesmen. They will say whatever they think will get them the votes. What they truly believe in is a mystery to me. In the end the responsibility lies in the very thing that put them in office. It comes down to the individual. It all goes back to home. The responsibility to teach my children values is in our home. It will be interesting to see what happens tonight. Still, whatever the outcome I feel peace and safety in the knowledge that we will not be abandoned in our time of need. We are still "one Nation under God".
"I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me. So, I'll gladly stand up next to her and defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land. God bless the USA."

Happy Halloween

This year Halloween was pretty fun. Jaxon had his first real experience with Trick-or-Treating. Well, semi-real. It's not like when I was a kid when we went to every single house in the neighborhood and came home hours later with a bag full of candy. Jaxon went around our block and got no more than 10 pieces of candy. That's fine with us and completely fine with him. I'm glad that Jaxon isn't into sweets. Don't get me wrong....he likes a good piece of sugar just like the next kid, he just doesn't LOVE it. It's pretty safe to say that Brian and I have consumed more Halloween candy than Jaxon has. He hasn't even asked for it. I wonder if he remembers?Jaxon went as a firefighter and Ryker was his faithful Dalmatian.

After the quick trick-or-treating experience we headed off to visit the grandparents and get pictures with the cousins.

Donkey, Ninja, Fireman, Dalmatian, Superman, Tinker Bell, Witch, and Dinosaur
(Wyatt, Jeffrey, Jaxon, Ryker, Garrett, Lauren, Jayne, and Isaac)

My sisters are so creative! This year Katherine and Marc went as Buddy Elf and his bride (forgot her name). Kayla and Josh went with the Shrek theme. Kayla as Princess Fionna, Josh as Shrek, Wyatt was Donkey, and Roxy was the dragon.

Brian and I had a Halloween party a few weeks ago with friends and went as Princess Leia and Obi-won-kanobi.

Next year we're starting the costume process in August....or at least before the middle of October!

Picture Tag

I'm sure you've all seen this tag already, but just in case you haven't here are the rules. Go to your fourth picture folder and select the fourth picture in that folder. Then give an explanation of the photo.This was taken Mother's Day 2005.

My very first Mother's Day as a mom! Jaxon was 9 months old. Wow! How we've changed!!

I tag: anyone who wants to do it!

It's About Love

Since having children of my own I have an added appreciation for those who choose to place their children for adoption. It is the most selfless act any parent could possibly give....to give a part of them to someone else. Though I don't know the personal struggles the birth parents go through, I can only imagine they walk through their own personal Gethsemane in making their decision and then living with that decision. What I have been able to witness is the personal struggle of those who long for children and for whatever reason have not been able to have their own. It takes loving your children more than yourself to give them to someone else to love them, raise them, and call them their own. Adoption really is about love.

This past week my BFF Melisa and her husband have been blessed with two sweet little angels to join their family... Grace 15 months and Wyatt 2 months. Their prayers have been answered, their hearts are overflowing, and their house is full!! Congratulations! We love you!!!



This is the story of Kevin and Melisa...


"Kevin and I met in a University ward up at Weber State in June of 1999, and after his relentless flirting and my loosing a bet, I finely went out with him:) he completely won me over. We continued to date that summer and he proposed on August 20th. We were then married November 24th of the same year.
WOW! That sounds fast!
After about a year of marriage we decided to try to get pregnant and start our family, but after two years the doctors couldn't figure out why it wasn't happening. We had tried several different fertility treatments with no luck and just when we were going to try IVF (invetro-fertilization) Kevin was diagnosed with cancer.We had been married for almost 3 years when he was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. After undergoing surgery to remove a golf ball sized tumor in his neck and being submitted to 4 months of aggressive chemotherapy he came out the other side in good shape. (OK several months later he was in good shape, he did need time grow his hair back and gain some weight)
After this trial we both realized the reasons behind our difficulties getting pregnant. We had both wanted a child so badly but we could now see the importance of faith and that Heavenly father is aware of each individual situation. Having a child during this time would have been a hundred times more difficult.
A little less than 3 years later Kevin and I welcomed the most beautiful baby boy into our home. Cameron was born October 22 of 2005 after a fairly easy pregnancy, labor and delivery. I really couldn't complain to much compared to some of the horror stories I'd heard mine was not to bad. But I have an inkling that Heavenly father just felt sorry about making me wait so long so he made it easier on me, or maybe its because ever since Cameron came out it has been a none stop roller-coaster ride and Cams the conductor.
What ever it is, my life has been blessed in more ways than I can say I have an amazing husband that loves me and makes it possible for me to be home with the cutest little almost-two-year old in the entire world. I am truly Happy!"

Trip To The Firestation

Jaxon's preschool class went on a fieldtrip to the local firestation. Since October is fire safety month, and the firestation is a hot commodity, both the morning and afternoon classes went together.

Jaxon was chosen to try on the oxygen tank....it about knocked him off his feet!

Climbing through the fire truck.
Building Block Preschool 2008-2009Hangin' out on the curb with friends and a yummy treat.

He Sits!

He may not be happy (he wanted a nap and I wanted to document his first time sitting solo) but his momma sure is!! Oh, and he also slept all through the night last night!!

6 Months

Ryker had his 6 month well-check with Dr. Gabe this morning. He's off the charts...but not in a good way. He is 26.4 inches. That puts him in the 50th percentile. (Good thing he's got his daddy's genes!!) He weighs 12 pounds 7 ounces. That doesn't register on the charts...if there were a bracket for the less than 5th percentile, he would be in that group. He's not rolling over or sitting up, though he has great head control and can bare weight on his legs like a champ. The doc didn't seem overly concerned about the physical things mostly because the weight is the worry. Other concerns: Ryker is allergic to milk and has eczema....they could be tied together but it's hard to tell at this point.

So here's the plan:

Mix cereal with soy formula and feed it to him 2-3x a day.

Treat him with OTC reflux meds for the next 3 days to see if his non-eating is a sign of "silent reflux" (I think that's what he called it). If it helps then the doc will prescribe something for him...if not, I don't know.

Switch from Johnson and Johnson baby wash to Dove and use Eucerine cream daily to help his dry skin.

Keep trying to get him to take a bottle. It has to work eventually!

I take him back in 4 weeks to do a weight check. He should gain at least 1 pound. If he doesn't...well, I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

On a more positive note: Ryker loves to babble, chews on his feet/hands/shirt/blanket/my hair, he blows raspberries, giggles, and smiles. He still loves to be held and we enjoy holding him. He absolutely adores his big brother (the feeling is mutual) and lights up whenever Jaxon is near him (which is most of the time). If we are driving in the car and Ryker starts to cry, Jaxon will reach over and hold his hand and say things like "It's okay bud. We're almost home." If that doesn't work all we have to do is turn on the Abba CD to #4...Mamma Mia...and he stops crying. Works like a charm!

We love our little Ryker Bean!

Saving Money, Saving the Earth, and Saving Souls

It's official. I've become "that lady". I am the coupon clipping, green bag toting, money saving lady...and I'm lovin it!!!! At first I felt a little peculiar walking into the store with my own grocery bags and stacks of coupons. I can't believe how much money I have saved since I started doing coupons! It takes planning....which I'm not great at.... but it's definitely worth. Take tonight for example: I walked into the store with my green shopping bag (.05 saving) and 10 $1 off coupons. I left the store with 10 FREE tubes of Crest toothpaste! It's hard to beat free.

On a completely separate note....Jaxon walked into our room tonight carrying his Book of Mormon. He propped himself up with the pillows and said "Mom, I need to read my scripers." I asked him if he wanted me to read them with him and he said he did. So he grabbed my scriptures and said "Jesus will be happy if we read our scripers, huh mom? It makes him sad if we don't." Is there anything more pure than a little child? So we sat down as a family and read together.

"....and a little child shall lead them."

I Looked Out The Window and What Did I See?

Snowflakes falling all around me!

We woke up this morning to about a foot of snow!

Jaxon was so excited..."Is it Christmastime now, mom?"First snowball of the season.

These pictures were taken after church so the snow had already started to melt a little. They don't do our fall flurry justice.

One of my favorite things is waking up to newly fallen snow!

Besides the temporary power outage caused by the snow tonight we had a great wintry Sunday baking brownies and banana bread.

Fall Carnival

Our ward hosted a fall carnival today for our neighborhood. After many nightmares, a few tears (for no reason whatsoever), and lots of worry it went without a hitch! Here's a few pictures of the fun day: Jaxon with his prize from the Cupcake Walk....yummy!
A pair of our funny neighbors! We rented a bounce house (this picture was taken before everyone came) the kids LOVED it!
Dart Toss Game
Ping Pong
The boys enjoying a scrumptious hot dog snack!
And what is a carnival without a clown? Heidi was a good sport and oh so excited to dress up!
We also had face painting, mini golf, bean bag toss, fish pond, and basketball. Thank you to the wonderful committee, neighbors, friends, and organizations who made it all happen.

Now on to the Christmas party.....any ideas?