The Rolling Stones

What a beautiful noise....

2010-09-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

The other night Mitchial and Samuel wanted to capture the moon and the first star as they were rising before the sun had said goodnight. Easier said than done with 2 wiggly boys and light fading quickly (and no professional photographer :) I let them each have their turn. Excitement brimming over the top to see if they could catch the moon. As they quieted down to hold still, all the night sounds starting waking.
I loved it...the boys started to whisper secrets thinking only they could hear. Crickets were waking, frogs were talking, birds had quieted down for the night. It's like we could hear the bats we saw sweeping over our heads. I told the boys this was the magical hour when daytime and nighttime meet for just a few seconds, smile, then go their separate ways. Their eyes sparkled, their mouths yawned and I knew our fun had come to an end. Bedtime had arrived. Later that night I couldn't help but catch the beautiful noise from each of my children....the sighs...the whispers of I love you in their ears. The sweet breathe, in and out , in and out, I never tire of watching their little hearts beat perfectly. How blessed I am for these beautiful noises!

Bella dreaming of Goodnight moon!

Tim dreaming of It's time for bed little one

Mitchial with barky Marky dreaming of Hickory dickory dock

And my sweet Sam dreaming of Little Pea!!

It's all these sounds of life, coming in to my room. Sounds that I love! It's the music of life!!

Where is heaven? psst I know!!!

2010-07-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

Pictures of heaven on earth!!

When I was growing up my older brothers sang; Where is heaven, by Janice Kapp Perry. I was always left troubled, I didn't know how far it was to heaven or where it really was. No one sat down and explained it to me. So on Memorial day when we were visiting graves and Samuel asked me where heaven was, I was ready.

Earlier in the year I watched a special on tv about what leaders of different faiths thought about heaven. I remember writing down some of their answers in hope of finding my own.

Rev. Calvin Butts said "You don't necessarily have to look up but you can look out and see heaven." I liked that answer!

Pastor Ted Haggard said " I think life is a sort of weigh station on the way to our eternal home. Our purpose of life is to glorify God and go to heaven...cause' heaven is our home."

The Dalai Lama said "as a buddist I don't think necessarily heaven and hell happen in some other life. I think it's right now."

I went to the temple and found the true answer. I believe it is all around us. We are blessed with family not only here on earth but in the heavens watch over us and protect us. I know they are just a prayer away. We might not always see them, but they are there. My answer to Samuel was to point out the beauty all around us. To help him feel the heavenly love. We came home and I showed him pictures of our family and told him stories, I held him close and as we sat on the couch 4 little birds came to our tree outside our front window. He looks up, "mom look, grandma sent them." He smiled then ran off to play. But I went to the window and all but one bird flew off. We just looked at each other, but before flying off I said a quick prayer of thanks for letting us see a bit of heaven!

On the 12th it will be 2 years since my mom passed. I miss her dearly but I know she lives and is busy in heaven and watches over us. I love you forever mom

Dad and Debbie

Heavenly Mother's Day!!

2010-05-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

This Mother's Day I was prepared to send gifts to heaven!! I found a small porcelain box (not like the picture) that had a small bird on the top lid, and on the sides it said Have Faith, and Don't forget the Power of Prayer with a dove carrying a flower in it's mouth.
I told the kids to each pick out a "special" item that they wanted to send to Grandma. I explained that this box was magic and whatever you put in it would be carried to heaven, just for Grandma! So off they went, Mitchial came back with two safety pins with flowered beads on them, Bella came up with a pink ribbon we tied into a bow. Timothy gave up his little paper umbrella that Aunt Nikki gave him. All the boys decided they wanted to send a special marble they found outside in the garden , so in it went. Samuel was having a hard time deciding, but late on the night before I was headed up to her grave, he came and gave me a yellow rock, with tears in his eyes, he told me that Grandma would need a yellow rock. My sweet boy.
I put in a red heart and a crystal heart, the red symbolizes my heart and how it feels... sometimes still broken from her loss and missing her; and the crystal one symbolizes our eternal family. Guy added a note thanking her for all she has done. I added in my note to heaven, thanks to her for giving me life, for never giving up on me and always loving me. I hoped that our prayers reached her and she felt our love.
How thankful I am for my mother and to be a mother.
I am blessed. I am loved. I am thankful.

Here if you need me...what do I need?

2010-04-28T13:51:00.001-07:00

The other day I found myself in a situation not equipped with the tools I needed. I was alone, scared and didn't know what to do. So I just stood there, waiting I guess for the situation to fix it's self. It didn't, but sometime during this overwhelming situation, I looked up to see a book. Out of thousands of books, this book caught my eye and, for the moment, saved me. It's Here if you need me. It's not a mind boggling book, or a life changer. But in it and through it I have found many treasures.

So many people have asked how they can help. I always have the same reply....I don't know? I wish I knew how to help myself. But this book, in it's silly ways, has helped me know how to help others and how they can help me. Just be there. Sounds easy, but a shoulder to cry on or a hand to hold can mean the world of difference.

In my book the author was asked after her husband had died if she believed in God, and if she did how could she after He took her kids dad and her husband. While thinking on that question, she remembers hours after her husbands passing her elderly neighbor whom she rarely saw, showed up with warm brownies and tears in her eyes and said, "I just heard and didn't know what else to do. I'm here if you need me." and left. The author said she saw then and there the works of God and felt Gods love. So I am not saying I need brownies I am just saying be like Him.

That's how I need you!

This is MY road!

2010-04-18T18:30:00.001-07:00

My road to recovery is just like everyone of these pictures.....sometimes it is bumpy. Sometimes it is black and white and stormy, and sometimes I can see a rainbow at the end of the road. I like those days! There are more of those days too!
I was warned that my road will be bumpy, full of ups and downs, but my Heavenly Father has blessed me with an amazing husband and great support system. My Dad asked me one day if he could have done something different in raising me that would have prevented this from happening. "No, Dad. This is just one of my trials." With tears in his eyes he asked if he could take this trial for me. I know my husband would do the same for me. I am a blessed woman.

So as I progress down my road, I thank my husband for the unconditional love he has shown me. For his arms finding me in the night as I cry. For his prayers. I thank my Dad and Debbie for their prayers. For a my fathers love and concern. I am thankful for all my family and friends who have shown that no matter what, they are there. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and his love and my testimony of Him. All is not lost. He is real and hears my prayers. I matter. I am a daughter of God and He loves me.

Fragile! Handle with care!

2010-04-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

Fragile. Easily broken, not secure.

Unlikely to withstand any sever stresses and strains, Laking emotional strength.

I am this box!

I hate it. I don't like it. I am not choosing to feel this way but still I wake to find myself not being able to handle my children. My own little ones I gave birth to. How is that possible, that my body that produced, them can't care for them? I take that back, the body can, the mind can't. I am fragile. There, I said it. Unfortunately it is going to take awhile for me to get "better". I am so thankful for everyone who has offered their love and support.

The big "D" Word!

2010-03-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

Depression. It isn't a pretty word. It wasn't a pretty word in the 20's and it isn't a pretty word now. I have prayed long and hard on how to describe my situation to my friends and family. It's scary being where I have been and where I am now. No amount of "self talk" helps. In your mind you know it is wrong but you can't do anything about it. Let me clarify a bit.

I love this picture. I have stared at it, studying every detail, trying to feel what she was feeling. I think I feel like her, children by my side, overwhelmed. My face is in my hand trying to keep it up because if I move it surely it would fall.

In this picture I am so tired I don't smile, I don't cry, I just sit, I can't move, I am paralyzed with pain. I am worried, my kids are hungry, I don't have the energy to feed them, I lose patience with them then feel angry at myself for losing patience. "Why" I ask myself.

My kids are feeling it now. They are losing their joy. They fight more. I sleep more. I am tired, tired of it all, but I don't know what it is exactly. Everything is always dirty. I can't keep up. I am losing faith. I feel that I am not a good mother. I am stopping. That's it. I am stopping. I can't keep going. I don't have the strength. I can't see into the future, I can't see clearly, big things I can't comprehend, so they don't even exist. Small problems are huge and unbearable. Therefore I sit, my children by my side crying, probably, and me just sitting because that is all I can manage right now.

That was me a couple weeks ago. I was sad and embarrassed but knew I needed help. My Dr. said the only way I could get the meds I needed was to be admitted to the hospital. Right away I thought I couldn't do that with all my kids, but in the same thought...how could I not. Thursday night I was admitted to the hospital where I would stay for a week to get the help and meds I needed to be Jill again. It is embarrassing to share this story, but in a way liberating.

It is me. I made it through the rain. I am on my way to being me!

I missed the class on parenting....

2010-03-06T14:29:00.000-08:00

This week has been a rough one. I have been sick as well as every stinkin person in our house! Seriously it is enough to make me crazy!! I have gone through 2 cans of Lysol and bought a huge 3 pack of Clorox wipes, I have washed all our bedding, walls, bathrooms trying to kill our germs!

While I have had pneumonia I clean alittle then lay down, and every time I get up from laying down the house is a mess. How come my kids don't know already the you don't throw couch pillows everywhere, you don't eat popcorn and leave it down to get all the kernels dumped out, you also don't eat otter pops in the house!!! You don't eat only half you banana and leave the other half on the bing bags. I could go on and on. I feel very frustrated because every time I turn around my house looks like it exploded!!

I don't know what to do, I have tried yelling , making charts, warning them before I go lay down, you name it and it still happens. Do I have the naughtiest kids, or am I the worst mom. Every night I pray for answers and wake up in the morning with kids that haven't' changed :)

Where has January gone?

2010-02-04T10:35:00.000-08:00

Mitchial's 9th birthday!

Cool cobra cake made by Uncle Troy!

Our train ride to SLC!!

Our dreaded dead washer!

Our happy new washer!

What a month!! How time flies when your having fun...right. Whatever!

Our washer had been giving us grief but nothing big. I had noticed a small amount of wet concrete by the washer but wasn't too worried. I just thought that because our washer had been off balance some water leaked out. I won't forget that awful Friday night when I went downstairs to switch laundry out, I stepped off the last step and my foot was covered in water. AAGGGGGHHHH! I grew up with a flooding basement and hated it every time. I immediately hollered for Guy and together we started the cleanup. I do have to say that we were very blessed, the water did not get any of our food and missed the water heater and furnace by a foot. Heavenly Father was watching over us. It seems weird to say that when it was such a mess, but our disaster could have been much worse.

Guy studied up on the internet and thought he knew how to fix the washer. He went to SLC and bought a 70 dollar part (which can't be returned) and proceeded to fix the washer. He put a small load of clothes in and started the cycle only to watch the washer continue to fill and start flooding again. Not good. After further investigation, he found that our drum was cracked and by time we got it fixed ( and hoping nothing else went wrong) it would be cheaper or the same price as to get a new one! I have always wanted a front loader, but when you are forced to buy, it is not as much fun! Oh well. Now I have my washer:)

The 24th... Mitchial and Ian's birthday!

Ian never made it out to our house for the day, so Mitch celebrated by himself. Uncle Troy made a cool cobra cake that made all the boys happy! We are so thankful for Ian and Mitchial. They are wonderful boys and we couldn't live without them!! love you boys

The kids and I were able to ride the train to SLC with Aunt Nikki and family. What a great day. I defiantly would not have been able to do that without help. The kids were crazy with energy, and I was always afraid of one running off or getting stuck on the train without me! All went well and we had a great time!!

Happy holiday's!!

2009-12-31T15:32:00.000-08:00

Timothy and Dad playing with the new race track!!

Family at Temple square for a cousins wedding reception.

Tired Santa baby!!

The official reading of the night before Christmas!!

Christmas jammies!!

This year was a wonderful Christmas!! The kids weren't angels but they were still good enough that Santa came!! Samuel was of course the first one up at 6 am. Nothing can keep that kid in bed, no matter what time he goes to sleep he always wakes up early!! The rest of the family got up about 7. Bella was pretty grumpy until she got to finally open up gifts!! She got 6 teeth this past month and has not been happy. We were able to see most of Guys family on Christmas which was fun. We sure do miss the rest of the family!!

do believe everyone got what they wanted, except me. I wanted my throat better, it is 3 weeks since I got my tonsills out and I still have a sore throat. Oh well. I am thankful for all the blessings we have received this year. We have great neighbors, family and a wonderful ward. We have so much to be thankful for. Now on to a new a better year!!

Happy...mmmmmmm maybe!

2009-12-04T14:22:00.000-08:00

Is it me or do the holidays get a bit overwhelming? It seemed the week of thanksgiving started the "busy" season. I try to remind myself that it is a "happy" time of year and I shouldn't be stressed so much. I worry that the kids won't have enough presents, then when I buy something I worry about money. I worry about getting the right gifts for family and getting them to their destinations on time. Now to put a kink in the process I am getting my tonsil's out on the 9th. Oh well, what is a little more drama.

This thanksgiving was wonderful. My brother and his wonderful wife put up with my family for a couple days. It is nice to get away and be with family. I am thankful to have family close and will make more of an effort to get together because it is so much fun. I am thankful that my husband has a job and I can stay home with the kids. (I know I actually said it, I am happy to stay at home:) I am thankful that the kids are well, that our cars run, and that we have a warm home. I guess when I get stressed I should just blog because already I fell calmer.

Just a funny note to end on, yesterday we had lunch with our insurance lady. I had to bring Tim and Bella and thought things were going to be fine, I told Tim he had to be very quiet and color so Guy and I could go through paperwork. He was doing great until he stood up in the booth and states that his pee pee sure itches. He then starts itching. We tried to ignore it but when the booth next to you is laughing it gets hard. Next time he is going to his cousins house!!! Happy holidays!!!

Bella's surgery!!

2009-11-13T21:07:00.000-08:00

Bella after surgery, finally fresh air!!

The talking french Dora toy, and her favorite...kleenex's!

Bella after surgery. Those are no no's or arm splints so she doesn't' pull our her tubes:(

As you all know, Bella has had tummy issues since Jan 09. Finally this past Oct. a feeding therapist suggested to her pediatric GI Dr. that Bella had something physically wrong and it was preventing her from getting enough volume when she ate. So after me crying to the GI doctor that something was really wrong with my daughter, they finally ordered a MRI which showed possible malrotation because they could see a artery in the wrong spot. So the next day Bella had her 3rd upper GI and confirmed malrotation of the gut, meaning her bowels were not in the right place. Same thing Mitchial had when he was 2 1/2. We were scheduled for surgery on the 27th of Oct. No one could believe that there was 2 in the same family with this problem.

I had mixed feelings for the surgery, I wanted her fixed badly but didn't want to see her suffer and recover from surgery.

The surgery went well. Bella came out with not only a 2 1/2 inch incision on her tummy, but with two tubes in her nose, one for draining her gut and another placed through the bowels to hold it in place till scar tissue could form. They put arm splints on before we even got to see her because she immediately started pulling at the tubes(I can't blame her). Well we tried giving her arms a break from the restraints and she did great for 3 1/2 days. Early morning on the 4th day I woke up to her NJ tube half way out. Aaaggghhh All the nurse could say was "oh this isn't good". Not only was that tube in place for holding her insides where they should be, but it was going to be used to feed her. Hopefully scar tissue formed enough that her insides don't move out of position again.

Anyway after they placed a picc line(a "iv" that runs from her arm vein to the top of her heart)
they started giving her "liquid" nutrition. After many many long days we were finally able to feed her and she did great. So the end to a all too long story, sorry, we are home and she is eating like crazy. It is amazing what unkinking your bowels does. So far she has had a night where she slept for 6 hours, that has never happened in all her 13 months:) Thanks for all your prayers.

Scaredy pants and Happy 39th Birthday Guy!

2009-10-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

Trying to look happy at this age is hard:)
Doing what Grandma's do best, Grandma Debbie spoiling Bella with cake!
Dad celebrating 70 years with his brother, Happy day Uncle Terry!
And last but not least our little princess showing off her piano skills (can you say child genius:)

I hate when I go too long without posting; things get a bit overwhelming trying to catch up on all that has been going on. But here I am going to give it a go:) We will start picture #1 Guys birthday! What a great day. He had a few days off so we spent the long weekend going on bike rides and refinishing the swing set from Guy's childhood. Our bike ride started with Timothy teasing Bella in the bike trailer and Samuel crying that he was dying of thirst. I would have believed him but we hadn't even made it to the end of the block! I should have known if the trip starts with whining the trip will be filled with each child taking his or her turn to cry. Seriously the whole bike ride. I tried to make the most of it so I put in my headphones and cranked the Neil Diamond:) As I was trying to play catch up, peddling in my one gear that works, up a huge hill ;) I triumphantly make it to the top and start my descent only to find my brakes barely work. I immediately start yelling for the small children to get out of my way only to find Samuel swerving hogging up both lanes of the trail. I also find, after hitting Samuel's pedal with the trailer tire, that some idiot put a small dip at the bottom of the hill. Here I am going way over the speed limit allowed for bikes, especially ones with trailers attached, and am trying with all my might to slow down (I even tried putting a foot down and dragging it) nothing slows me down in time and I hit the dip just in time to look back and see the trailer take flight. Guy says it came at least a foot off the ground. I had just got the kids to stop crying only for them to start again upon landing. What a bike ride. On the ride home Guy hooked the trailer up to his bike (for safety purposes:)
Guy had a great birthday with the family. I am so thankful for him. I still can't believe he is almost 40! I love him so much!! I remember my Dad turning 40! Speaking of Dad, we were able to caravan with Dad and Debbie to my Uncle Terry's 70th birthday party. It was great to spend time with them and see some of my cousins and their families.
Now I am sure all of you know how I hate snakes, I dread them. I look forward to winter for the sole purpose of saying goooood bye to snake season. I thought it was already too cold for the stinkin things to be out, but last Thursday cousin Terrin made the worst mistake of his life......he let a snake go in my house! I should have known that trouble was brewing when Nikki and I were leaving to go to my first ever craft night at the church, and Mitchial and Terrin stopped us to surprise us with what they had in their pockets....snakes. I hollered at Mitchial and thought I scared Terrin enough he would never touch a snake again....but no!!! When I came home Mitch was still up and tried to hide and scare me but I saw him and foiled his plan. To get even he tells me "well if that didn't scare you I know what will" He then proceeds to tell me that Terrin came in to play and somehow his snake got out of his hoodie pocket. WHAT!!!! @#^$^&%&%&%^ I quickly look to Guy and see it in his eyes.....right away he starts telling me they have looked everywhere and think that maybe it might be outside. After I stop yelling I start to cry. I hate snakes that much. I had visions of stepping on a snake in the middle of the night or find one in my room. I prayed that night that I we would find it if it was in our house and prayed even more that it was not in our house. Well after 2 fearful days Mitchial yells to Guy that he found the dang thing curled up on his shoe by the front door. I don't know what is worse seeing the snake or wondering were it has been for 2 days. I am thankful that my prayer was answered, but it is going to be a long time before Terrin is welcome in my house:)

Happy 1st birthday Isabella!!

2009-09-08T16:25:00.000-07:00

My first time holding her in the NICU!!
Forcing her to eat her cake!!
Daddy made the little "lady" birthday cake!!
Wow! It is hard to believe my baby girl is one!! Somedays I never thought it would come, now I have that post Christmas feeling, let down because my baby is no longer a baby.
She is truley the joy of our lives. I will never forget the day we found out IT'S A GIRL!! Guy and I both were crying and asking to please make sure it's really a girl. Our boys were so happy. I remember calling to tell my mom, talking all about the blessing dress we would get and so on. I also remember in the OR seeing my mom walk out after they took Bella to the NICU. Joy filled my heart knowing Grandma was seeing over my baby when I couldn't:) We are so thankful for this first year with Bella June bug and can't wait for the years to come! Love you Bella June!!

Summer fun!!

2009-08-29T13:37:00.001-07:00

My Dad and his new wife, Debbie!
Fun at South Ogden water park!
Almost every night we have deer pass by our back yard!! This was on Sam's bday, he thought they came to say Happy birthday to him! Look how close they are to our back fence!
Cute Bella June bug!!
The neighborhood kids put on Phantom of the opera, singing, dancing and costumes! We even painted Mitchials face:) Very cute program they did all by themselves!

Back to school, back to fun, back to mischief!!

2009-08-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

Dad let Bella play with mashed potato's!
Timothy and his preschool buddy Sarah!!
Mitchial 1st day of 3rd grade, Samuel 1st day of 1st grade!
Bella's favorite thing lately has been to eat the plant dirt!! Almost everyday I find her with a dirt ring around her cute little mouth! I feed her I promise!! I have noticed since she has started eating dirt her hair has grown longer.....mmmmmm makes you wonder what is really in the dirt:)

Important things for Important people!

2009-08-01T15:41:00.000-07:00

Some days I search for meaning, meaning in the tasks I am doing, meaning in what I am teaching my children and some days just to find meaning in myself. I know this might seem silly to some, but some days I feel I am doing the same meaningless things over and over. I am thankful that I can stay home with my kids everyday but sometimes the outside world seems so "important" and interesting. So to lay my despairing thoughts aside I prayed to find "meaning" in my daily tasks. These are a few of the things I found important in my life.
I noticed how kind Timothy is when he first wakes up. I noticed that Samuel is defiantly a morning person and loves to be the first awake. He loves to be in control of the house that first 30 minutes he has all to himself. He is commander of the tv, has food all to himself, and is ruler over the toys!! That made me happy to see him so happy in the simple things.
I noticed that Mitchial is a young man when he goes to bed. He just seems so "big" on the top bunk. He can read books for hours and is so excited if you sit down and listen to his latest adventure. This is his alone time. I saw how kind he was when he called to Timothy to come lay in his bed if he was scared. All those times of teaching to love his brothers, he did it. I didn't even have to tell him to be nice, he did it all on his own.
I noticed that Timothy loves to hold hands to go to sleep. I know that seems like a simple thing, but it is heart warming when he asks "please hold my hand". If you think he has fallen asleep and try to move your hand... he will look up and find your hand again and hold it. So cute. I found I had many answered prayers and so much meaning in my day. So before I knelt down to say my bedtime prayers I thought I would go switch the laundry out really quick...this is what I found at the bottom of my washer.... a plastic snake, a gi joe guy, rocks, shells, a paper clip, I love Pedro wrist band, a lid to a marker,half of a used smoke bomb, water balloons, 2 nickles, a used Popsicle stick,3 beans from some tree, and a big mystery to where this was found, a used mary kay makeup container! Most days I would be annoyed or frustrated with myself for not searching pockets well, but today I found my kids treasures and found joy in the simplicity of their lives.
Ok, a little off the subject but we have had a ant problem for the past couple weeks. Guy put bug killer outside the back door and along the side of the house where they seemed to be coming in from. For days I kept checking and found bits of food, it all came together when I caught Timothy feeding the ants...right by the traps(notice the animal cracker) And all along I thought we just had trouble some ants....not a ant feeder!!

Happy 6th Samuel!!

2009-07-30T17:13:00.000-07:00

Samuel was our third boy and by far our biggest baby coming in at a whopping 8lbs. From day one he has been our baby pterodactyl, screaching when he is hungry(and he is ALWAYS hungry). We are so thankful to have our Samuel in our family. He a source of strength and already has a testimony of what is right and wrong. Samuel is our best listener and usually is the first to do what is asked. He loves to wear jammies and would all day if I let him! He is Bella's babysitter and once asked if he could marry her because he loves her so much! Oh the innocence of a child. Thanks Samuel for coming to our family...We love you soooo much!
(his toothless smile)

Stones Indian Warriors!

2009-07-10T15:29:00.001-07:00

Now don't get me wrong, they are cute, but when you see them one minute with shirts on and clean faces, the warriors are a little alarming. Our great new neighbors "the girls" decided to paint the boys. What is funny, and a little sad, they didn't put on sunscreen so see the pink shoulders? Everywhere there wasn't paint; there was sunburn! In the tub as we were scrubbing black ears, eyes and belly buttons we were surprised to see white skin everywhere the paint was. Mitchial got the worse of it and has regretted not using sunscreen!! The thing I keep thinking is ....we still have over a month of summer left! Uuuugggghhhhh! Do I dare ask what's next?

Muddy Buddies!!

2009-07-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

So summer has brought to our house the usual summertime things; bugs, rocks, more bugs, more rocks, water, dirt, and with our wonderful wet June......MUD! I have been trying to be a more relaxed mom; letting the kids get a bit dirtier, letting them stay up 30 minutes later, buying otter pops, not serving veggies at every meal, pretty good huh. Well I thought my boys would reward me for being so great....Not. For a week I missed this on my garage door only because each time I went out the door was open. Then the fateful day I went out to get the mail and to my surprise little muddy hand prints from one side of the house, around the front, and up to the front door. My question, why didn't Guy notice, or even my neighbors? What's really bad is they are still there! :)

In the next video you will see Mitchial's great idea of finding how far down you have to dig to find the water table. He also made sure his brothers were there to teach them all he knows about mud!! The bad thing is Guy seemed pleased with how smart his boys are!

Never say never...I've now been tagged!

2009-06-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

Remember the 8 balloon? Well some crazy person thought I could tell 8 wonderful things about myself. I was doing fine until the 8 turned into 32!! Oh well, here is goes....
8 Things I am looking forward to:

Timothy pooping on the toilet!
Bella eating food!
I always look forward to bedtime!
Guy coming home from work early!
School starting!
Bella getting everything working right!
De junking my basement!
I know I said this already but I really want it....Timothy totally potty trained!

8 things I did yesterday:

The usual...laundry, dish's, cooking
Yelled at the boys to get the snakes out of the house...again!
Yelled at the boys to get out of the mud!
Planted and weeded my flower beds.
Sat in the bathroom for a hour waiting for Tim to poop* nothing happened*
Started watching Hello Dolly!
Read more of Sacajawea
Lured the neighbors dog back home with bacon

8 things I wish I could do:

Be skinny:)
Keep my house clean!
Sleep more!
Finish my basement!
Have more money!
Go on a "fun" vacation!
Get a new van!*one that we can all fit in comfortably*
Get Bella Better!

This one is going to be hard because we don't have cable
8 shows I watch:

KSL news
The biggest loser
ER when it was on
sometimes the office
the Celeb apprentice
the baby story if we had cable
the discovery channel if we had cable
and of course the Tonight Show

See I am boring and you will never tag me again:)

Isabella the pirate!!

2009-06-15T20:49:00.000-07:00

Her brothers taught her how to sword fight just before bed! Of course she was giggling and chopping the boys with the sword.... until the camera came out. It's the jinx of the camera.

Bear Lake Luau!!

2009-06-14T21:10:00.001-07:00

The Bear Lake monster tractor!!
Raise your hand if your excited to go to Bear Lake (really they were happy)
Playing chicken with the cousins to see who can go the furthest!
And to top it off the Big Momma in her mu mu driving to our family luau! I chose to drive to help prevent motion sickness (sorry Mitchial in the backseat). It was funny as we were driving through Logan Canyon we were stuck following a big semi, every sharp turn you would hear Timothy yelling from the back...."hold on we are going to tip over!!" Every turn I heard him telling me to slow down because we were tipping. From his view it did look like the truck was going over.
I have always hating driving over bridges and in canyons. I believe I have passed the fear on. :}
Through the years I have found that if I am the one driving it isn't' so bad, I did have to laugh when Guy finally told me to slow down because hearing the squealing of tires going around turn isn't comforting. I reassured him it happens when he drives too.
We loved getting together with my sister and her family and 2 of my brothers and their families.
The food was awesome: pulled sweet pork, terriyaki chicken, rice, coconut rolls, macaroni salad, lava cake, ice cream ect.... What a wonderful luau. It rained just as dinner was being served, but it rains in Hawaii too, right?
Thanks family for the get together even if we came home with 3 frogs and a ton of shells (found in the bottom of my washer:0

Can chairs get chicken pox?

2009-06-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

Can you see the green marker chicken pox on the chair?
Believe me they are there. Our dear "tornado Tim" Told me
he didn't draw on the chair, it has chicken pox. Mmmmmm,
what do you say to that......

This next picture is what he looked like running
down the street. Mitchial brought home a new book
from school, Aliens love underpants. I wondered
about the title but after quickly skimming through
the pages it looked fine. Well as I walked to my neighbor
who just moved in a month ago, I noticed underwear in the driveway.
I made a funny comment to her about we keep our personals in our
house. She just looked at me for a minute then starts laughing, "those
are YOUR personals". Apparently Tim read the book and thought
it would be funny to wear alien underwear to his friends house.
Nice.....one for the neighborhood newsletter!

Bella's 1st and hopefully last surgery!!

2009-06-02T20:08:00.000-07:00

Good morning sunshine!
Good thing you don't know what's happening later!!

Our sweet Bella had a colonoscopy with biopsy and enzyme studies and a endoscopy with biopsy's and studies all at the same time. Poor thing went under ok but had a terrible time coming out of anesthesia. She screamed for about a hour:( The nurses kept asking me what to do because her blood pressure was out of control, her pulse was too high and she couldn't keep her O2 levels high enough. I felt like telling them it was their job, I don't know how to help her. I felt so helpless. I warned them that anytime her bowels get stimulated or bothered she freaks out. Luckily after much walking and bouncing and praying, they let us come home.

So what did we find out after all that.... she is one of those rare babies that is "allergic" to breast milk (or the lactose in it). So we are going to try lactase drops and pray that helps her gut!!! Cross your fingers and hope it works or this momma is going to get even crazier!!

*AFTER* (not smiling)
*BEFORE*(smiling)

Gator Country Pictures.....

2009-05-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

Bella and Daddy at the kids outdoor salt water pool!!

I was able to travel with Guy to Florida a couple weeks ago, just me, Guy, sunshine and....Bella. Oh well it was still a trip away from cleaning, cooking and crying ( just kidding that came with us). Our wonderful trip turned out to be me stuck in the hotel while Guy worked 14 hour days:( But the hotel was cool. This is the view from our balcony! All of this is indoors, the atrium was filled with footpaths, streams, gator springs and even a few small waterfalls. It was amazing!!

I think next time we go we will make sure Guy doesn't have to work!!

Mother dear I love you so......

2009-05-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

It's funny, I still cry every time I see this picture. I don't know why. There isn't a certain memory that comes to mind. I guess it is that I just miss her.
I really thought this mother's day was going to be difficult, but it was a beautiful day of remembering. I was just coming off of a week long trip away from my boys and as happy as I was leaving them, I was even happier coming home. As I sat on the plane some lady next to me wished me a happy mother's day. I hadn't thought about the day for me I was just thinking how grateful I am for all my mom did for me. Not a day goes by that I don't do something that she taught me. I think I pass on part of her as I fold laundry with my kids, make banana bread with her recipe, rock one of my kids in the rocking chair and especially watch Jay Leno:)
As I was going through a box of her things, I had prepped myself into keeping only things that would be useful. So as I opened the box, suddenly everything became useful....her old hair brush, her pin cushion, her toe nail clippers and even some old talcum powder and makeup. I looked at my garbage pile and my keep pile and it seemed I needed everything. I needed her hairbrush to remember her hair color, her scented powder to remember her smell, her makeup to remember her face color. I know it seems silly because those were only temporal things, but they were hers and I was not ready to give them up.
I decided to take a break and look through a book she gave me "I never meant to become a witch" When she first gave it to me it made no sense, why was this woman calling herself a witch. But now that I have become one I know. I know what it is like to tell a child no they can't play, or tell them to practice their piano, and the meanest....clean your room!! All things witch's do.
She knew long ago the things I would need to be a strong and good woman. She knew that by making me cook dinner I would learn to feed my family. She always knew what I needed. So this mother's day I am thankful for my mom, my friend, and now my guardian angel. I love you mom and miss you so much. Happy Mother's day!!

Super mom fights nature AND the sock monster!!

2009-04-22T20:17:00.000-07:00

The room of mismatched socks!!
2 birds = 5 eggs!!

This week I have discovered yet another weakness in my super powers, I can't fight the ways of wild birds and I can't get rid of the sock monster that lives somewhere in my house. For the past couple of years we have had some pesky starling birds that thought our BBQ is the best place for a nest. Last year I kept taking out the nest making materials hoping the birds would just give up, and they eventually did. This year I have not been on top of my game and 5 little eggs are the result. I do have to admit it is fun to see the nest grow and see a new egg every morning. But so much for barbecuing this spring!
About this sock monster....the top picture is my front room covered with mismatched socks. I spent 2 days trying to find mates and make all the socks happy. As you can see supermom failed. How does this happen? Where do they go? I thought black holes were only in space. If anyone can solve this mystery or knows how to get rid of the sock monster, please let me in on the secret. As you can see we have way too many "spinster" socks:)

Mitchial's Baptism!!

2009-04-13T13:31:00.001-07:00

Oh happy day!! After 2 missed baptism days we finally were able to baptise Mitchial. He loved practicing with Dad before hand and even laughed when they had to dunk him again! So cute! It is fun to see your baby grow and watch each milestone with a smile on my face. I love Mitchial so much and am so happy that he wanted to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He shared his testimony with the family the other night at dinner, and I loved watching his brothers eyes grow big listening to their big brother share his feelings about Jesus Christ.
I am thankful for my worthy husband to bless our children with the priesthood. He is a wonderful man ( handsome too:).
I am thankful for my parents and that they worked so hard to raise me in the gospel.
We gave Mitchial his first scriptures and I included my testimony in the front just like my Dad did for me when I was baptized! Thanks to all the family that was there to support Mitchial. Little Timothy cried when Uncle Bret went home, he cried when Aunt Nikki and Grandma Stones went home, and even when Uncle Matt and Uncle Cory (and their families) went home...so he cried when everyone went home! Poor Tim didn't understand why they didn't take him too.
I want to take a minute to share my testimony of Easter. I was having a rough day yesterday preparing dinner. I was thinking of my Mom and missing her so much. As I started a prayer asking for comfort and peace my heart was filled with the understanding and the promise of the ressurection. I know it is silly but I thought as I prayed how thankful I am to my brother Jesus Christ who died for me so that I can see my mom again. It was a wonderful feeling to know that I will see my mom again, I have that promise. It was a spiritual Easter for me as I learned for myself about the atonement and ressurection of Christ. Even as I prepared dinner and missed the wonderful meals my mom used to make I thought to myself what a better way to remember her than to follow her traditions. I must say I made the best gravy yesterday. Thanks for teaching me mom!

Bella's progress?

2009-04-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

This week Bella has made huge progress, well sort of. We were able to get her to eat baby food again! Yeah! At first it was just a bite or two and now we are up to half and maybe a bit more of the 1st jars. There is one problem.. after eating this is what she looks like.
Primary Childrens wants her getting fed only through a nose tube or a tube placed in her stomach. After many prayers and fasting(thank you everyone) I decided before making the appt for surgery for the g-tube placement I would talk with Bella's regular dr. She went from 14lbs 4.5 oz the week after she got out of the hospital, to 14lbs.13oz all in a month!
She isn't tipping the scales but I think she is petite like her mommy:) Ha ha!
Her Dr. felt no need for the tubes and to continue breastfeeding since she gets so sick on her special formula. I am so thankful for prayer. I felt confident with what the Dr. said and he also sent us home with 4 infected ears (Bella's and Mitchials whose ruptured) and a strep throat. So within a month all of my kids had infected ears....what is that about?
I am sure someone is playing a joke on us. Anyway we still don't know why Bella can't handle baby food and what is causing pain (besides the ears), but we are having more smiles than we used to. I can't ask for everything to be fixed at once, right? Again thank you for the prayers!!

Looks can be decieving!!

2009-03-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

This is our sweet baby Bella! She looks so peaceful and beautiful. Like all children that is not always the case, but Isabella has, in her short 5 months, been our most expensive baby, caused us to lose the most sleep, and keeps even the Dr's on their toes. Let me explain a little; the past week she and I have had a "luxury" room at primary children's hospital. For 2 months she has thrown up blood and had blood in her stool accompanied by lots and lots of crying. The Dr's put in a feeding tube to rule out any allergies and have done numerous tests all resulting in the same,?????????? We have no idea. All we know is we have a baby that won't bottle feed, won't even look at a sippy cup, and waits until nighttime to exercise her lungs! The Dr's sent us home with a feeding tube (which I have to put in every time she pulls it out:( and wait for a follow up.
Things aren't so good tonight so I am asking to include us in your prayers. We will most likely end up at Primary's again doing a endoscopy and colonoscopy with biopsy's. They didn't want to do those on her because she is so young and the risk of tearing her insides is a common side effect. No good. We love our baby sooooo much and hope to get her better quickly.

Now you were probably wondering (like our neighbors) why we had a fire in our garden, simple....when your stressed burn something!!! Just kidding but it really did help. We had a bunch of old bills and didn't have a shredder soooooo we decided to have a bonfire in our garden. The boys loved it even though there was more smoke than fire:) Guy, you should have listened to me on how to build a fire:) Girls always know best!!!!

Happy birthday to the oldest of the Lange Gang!

2009-02-23T00:02:00.000-08:00

It is my oldest brother Mikes birthday.
Let me first describe the pictures; the first is of Mike in his rock band stage(he is the singer in the background) He was blessed with every talent imaginable; singing, playing the piano, sax, trumpet, writing music, artistic and much much more. My brother Mike and Bret had so many trophies, sometimes taking 1st 2nd and 3rd in the same competition.
In this picture you can sort of see his hair.... I remember my brother begging my mom to give him a perm, they were the "in" for boys that age. Anyway that is how I remember him in his high school days.
The second picture is him as a referee at a powder puff game. He looks official doesn't' he, especially with his short shorts!!
I am thankful for my brother Mike. I am sure being the oldest of 7 kids must have been difficult. But he set a great example and is still setting the example in raising a wonderful family.
The fondest memory I have of my brother was just this past year. I watched as my brother came to my dieing mom's bedside. Right away he kissed her forehead and cheek and knelt down beside her. He held her hand, smoothed the hair off her forehead and even wiped the blood from her nose. I was a mess, but my brother just knelt beside her to pray. I will never forget how strong he looked as he told my mom that it was ok to go. I know some may think that is a weird favorite memory, but it touched my heart forever. Thank you for being my big brother, I love you Mike!!!

Goodbye sweet Lynn!

2009-02-17T23:08:00.000-08:00

Today started out pretty good, the kids were ready on time and I had showered before noon! Yeah! I decided to drive Samuel to the bus stop and then head off to do my errands. As I was putting the baby in the car Timothy runs in the garage from playing in the snow. Immediately he starts to climb over the baby getting her and everything else wet. Right away I start to chew him out for not getting in the car when I told him to. If you know my kids they like to talk(just like me:) so as I am chewing him out he keeps trying to interrupt me by saying "but mom" over and over. After we are settled in the car and I start to back up I finally ask Timothy what he wanted to tell me. This is what he said...."Mom is that bird dead?" . "What bird, I don't see a dead bird. The only birds I see are flying around. " Again he asks, so to get him to be quiet I just tell him that it is probably playing dead. I had already fed the birds earlier and knew they weren't around trying to get in our garage. So I proceed to back out and feel a bump. Weird. I thought that Guy cleared all the big snow chunks off the driveway. I didn't think anything more until I come home and pull in the driveway. AAAGGGGHHHHHH!!! We have neighborhood pigeons that we have been feeding for years. Most of our neighbors don't like them because they poop on their houses and cars...not us. I tell them if you feed them they respect you. We have loved these birds so much that we buy 25lbs of bird feed at a time and have named all three of them. Last year one of the birds went missing and Mitchial cried for days thinking that our neighbor shot it (I won't name names Chris:). I finally convinced him that it flew somewhere else. So anyway I am pulling in to our house and see Lynn squashed!!! Lucky for me the snow was covering most of the crime scene. I immediately backed out and drove to our friends house crying that I killed our bird. I pleaded to my friend that her husband had to go over and scoop up the remains before my kids see. Lucky for me I have great neighbors! So I wait in the car and decide to call Guy and let him know the bad news. Of course by time he answers I am crying so hard and telling him that there has been a accident and someone died. I was trying to talk in code so Timothy wouldn't hear that I squashed Lynn. Meanwhile Guy is only hearing a few words like accident and die so he begins to panic. After explaining to him that it was Lynn and we were fine he said, "that's it, the bird" . This brought on more tears until he explained that he was upset at our loss but glad that it wasn't a human that died.
It still made me mad that he wasn't more concerned until he told me that he was in a meeting and everyone was hearing our conversation and that we should talk later. Great now everyone at Guys work knows I am a killer.
After I get off the phone "Kevin" comes to tell me he did the best he could. There was some remaining evidence on the driveway but he assured me he stomped snow down on it so you couldn't see the coloring. :( I slowly drove home and Timothy immediately tells me "Mom the bird was playing dead because it is gone now". I couldn't even talk I was so sick to my stomach. Later I find out that the bird was dead before I ran over it. Not that it would have made me less sad but I wouldn't have been praying for forgiveness for murdering our pet.

The haunting of the "8" balloon!!

2009-01-30T22:48:00.000-08:00

For the past week I have been followed by this 8 balloon. Seriously. It started the first night after Guy left out of town, I woke up to feed the baby and caught a flicker in the doorway of my room. I went about taking care of Bella when something flickered and moved in my doorway. Ok I knew it wasn't my moms ghost because she wouldn't be so shiny. As I tried to calm myself the heater clicked on and the stupid balloon started to move into my room. Holy crap!! I was sitting up in bed with this thing floating toward me...not good. By the time the balloon came into the light from the night light I was ready to run. I think I hollered out loud, "Not funny balloon". Since then the stinkin thing has followed me from room to room. I turn around in the kitchen....it is there staring at me. Bella loves it but not me. I punch it into the next room. Slowly but surely the thing finds me again. Tonight it scared Samuel as he was going to bed. I am such a mean mom I laughed. I thought about tying it to the end of his bed so when he woke up it was looking at him. Don't worry I won't.

You were probably wondering why we had a huge 8 balloon. Mitchial turned 8 on Saturday and was blessed with the balloon after the great to be 8 program. Next time we won't accept left over decorations! Happy Birthday Mitcharooni!

Happy Sweet 16 Ian!! This is Ian in his cool new jacket (or maybe he is just mad:) I can't tell) Ian and Mitchial celebrate the same birthday 8 years apart. We like it because that means we get 2 cakes to eat! Yeah! Ians picture with his super duper chocolate cake didn't turn out because there was so much smoke!! All you could see was a cloud. Funny! We are so blessed to have Ian and Mitchial in our family. Love you boys!

If you can't laugh at yourself, who can?

2009-01-21T16:39:00.001-08:00

For months I have said that I was going to be thrifty and patch my husbands work jeans. I was embarrassed with his holey pants, so today was the day. I practiced with camouflage patches on Samuels pants and was quite pleased. I didn't make fancy cutout's like my Mom used to, but Samuel didn't care. After "testing" the patch area to make sure it stuck good, I was ready to move on to Guy's jeans. I found the first pair of jeans a bit difficult because of the location of the holes. :) After 2 tries of getting the patches to stick, I quickly moved on to the 2nd pair of pants while the first cooled. The 2nd pair was a piece of cake. One big hole on the knee and a small one on the pocket area. I knew the color of the patch was darker than the jeans, but since being patches I thought they would be ok. After finishing the 2nd pair I stepped back to look at the good work I did. AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!
Guy came home to find me looking at my patching job, and just smiled. After a few moments of laughing at myself, Guy asked why I didn't just put the patches on the inside of the pants then you wouldn't have to worry about "seeing" the patches. Good question. I think the patches are more embarrassing than the holes, because don't people pay lots of money to have the worn look? Oh, well. Now he has some durable yard pants!!

Sing like angel....Dance like a superstar!

2009-01-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

As I was searching for pictures of my family dancing, amazingly enough this picture came up :) Ok, not really. Our family was not blessed with the dancing jeans, but we have fun. I didn't really think we were a silly family until my neighbor was telling me how my kids behaved at her house when music came on. She was laughing so hard it took her a few minutes to collect herself. She described my kids "spazing" out, only we don't call it spazing, we call it dancing. I think the boys were offended when she asked what they were doing. The story got even better when she told me Mitchial started singing. What can I say, I teach them early.
Some of my fondest memories are of my Mom and Dad listening to music. They loved music, therefore I love music. I was raised listening to Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, Barbara, Johnny Cash, Elvis, the Carpenters and of course the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I grew to love all but the Mo Tab. One summer my Mom played the 4th of July Mo Tab tape over and over and over. I am sure the neighbors knew it by heart just like us kids. That summer we didn't invite our friends over much:)
In high school my Dad could be heard in the halls surrounding his class room. He loved to sing and even dance while he taught. It didn't matter what was happening in my life, whenever I heard my Dad singing, it made things seem alright. I remember sitting on his lap while he drove listening to old 8 tracks. Whenever he got to the melody he would squeeze me tight. Good times!
So, I am following my parents and surrounding my kids with "good" music. My music. My parents music. They already know the words of almost all the songs I put on my playlist. I know my brothers are going to give me a hard time, but I post them proudly. :)

Super no more!

2009-01-12T21:31:00.000-08:00

I will never again brag about being super. I promise. I should know by now that as soon as I say "look at me" I fall on my face. Last week after calling myself super I slipped and fell at the the mailbox. I wasn't even trying to show off or do fancy foot work, I just turned around and boom. It was terrible. It was one of those slow motion falls that hurt not only my hands and knees but my pride. I had to hurry and get up before the garbage man got out of his truck to help. You should have seen his face....it was a look of do I laugh or be concerned. Luckily he just drove off. After I got up I quickly scanned my neighbors houses to make sure I hadn't been seen. So far the only 2 people I know of to see me fall were Timothy and the garbage man .
Ok, no more bragging about cooking either. I don't think I have made a decent dinner since my last post. I am afraid my kids are going to turn the color of macaroni and cheese. Please tell me the noodles are vitamin fortified:)

Super mom....for a day!

2009-01-08T23:22:00.001-08:00

Yes this was me for a day! I did take the cape off to clean the bathroom. I don't know if everyone feels as inadequate as me, but there are some days I look around and it looks like I did nothing. I know I did but why is the house a mess? I had a rough start to the week. Getting used to getting the kids to school on time was a tough one. I enjoy my sleep so when I have to wake up to a alarm...I am grumpy. Well yesterday I started the day off early with a diet coke. I was peppy, dressed in real clothes( no jammies for me). I had makeup on and dangly earrings. I was looking and feeling good. The kids had a real breakfast, no chips or corn dogs. They had a real lunch, again no chips and corn dogs. I started my bills and finished sending our "holiday" cards. By time the kids came home from school Timothy was up from a nap:) I had homemade brownies in the oven and was starting dinner. I had vacuumed the front room and hall and had the kitchen clean and had folded and done 2 batches of laundry. Yeah and it only gets better. I cleaned the bathroom and put Samuel in to soak while dinner was cooking. By the time Guy got home, all the kids were bathed and fed with veggies and all, and they all had their jammies on ready for bed. I think the fun thing was not only did I feel that I accomplished something that day, I actually had proof. I enjoyed my day as a mom. I had fun. Not everyday is "fun" when your a mom. Now my goal is to have more than one "super" day a week!!

Out with the old and in with the new?

2009-01-04T21:29:00.000-08:00

I have heard that saying before but have never thought much about it until this December. Starting from the first weekend of December, something has broken at our house. Not just a towel rack or snow shovel but BIG important items. Let me start with the sliding glass door that Tornado Tim broke on Bella's blessing day. (look at previous blogs). We were getting ready to replace the door when the water heater went out. Not good. It was the coldest weekend of the year and we had no hot water.
You are now looking at a new and expensive gas valve and a new thermocouple. (a new big word I learned from the repair man) I do not like cold water. I do not like it camping. I do not like it in a pool on a hot day. I do not like to drink cold water, so going without hot water for 4 days was terrible. I had to shower at the neighbors house which has glass shower doors (very weird when you are used to a dark shower curtain) and take my kid's to different friends to bathe. The kids loved the "pioneer" experience, not mom.
The next thing to break was the microwave. Back when we blessed Bella my sister in law mentioned that our microwave didn't heat things up very well. I thought she was just rubbing in the fact that she had a new 2008, sleek black sensor cooking microhood. Wrong. Our poor microwave pooped out on Christmas eve as I was trying to make hot cocoa for Santa. I seriously couldn't believe it. What is going on in our house, and on Christmas. Isn't there some rule in the universe that says only good comes on Christmas eve? Well there we were, no hot cocoa for Santa, Guy couldn't have his microwave popcorn, and the kids couldn't get their rice bags heated to warm up their beds. I was really starting to feel picked on.
This is the "old' microwave.

This is our "new" microwave. Thanks Bairs for keeping your first microwave. (Yes it looks like it is a sleek black model, that is just the front door. The rest is covered with vinyl wood stickering) It doesn't look like much and it doesn't have a nightlight, and it doesn't have a fan, but it cooks!!
The next thing to go happened just before the new year. Guy took the cars in to have them inspected and get 2009 stickers. Harmless you would think. NOT. He comes home to tell me that my van needs a new front tie rod end. A what? His car only needs new brakes and a new tire. I took a picture of a front tie rod for those of you who don't know car parts.
Yes the picture is blurry, it's because I was under the car!! Anyway I was feeling very overwhelmed. I went to church today feeling hole in our wallet and a little blue until I heard my friend say her child broke his jaw and her husband was in a wreck over the holidays. I decided then and there that I can handle my "broken " house and that I am grateful for all that I have.

YES!! Thanks Santa!!

2008-12-29T22:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, we had a fun Christmas. Santa has a tradition of leaving cereal for everyone, it is always fun to see how the cereal fits the person. For example I received Oatmeal raisin crisp(good flavor and full of fiber), Samuel: Cinnamon toast crunch(because he tells us his favorite hobby is eating), Mitchial: Golden Grahams (maybe because he is called the golden child), Timothy: Trix (this is a no brainer, Tim is a trixster), Guy:Coco puffs combo(this one is a bit harder to understand, maybe because he is a "combo" of handsomness and studleyness) and Ian: High School musical (this is easy because Ian is a high school musical wannabe:).
I would personally like to thank the Newcomers for the play dough that has been used in the entire house. It is a favorite...of the kids. Lets just say it is amazing, it doesn't dry out after being left out everyday, and it vacuums up wonderfully. I also need to thank them for a never ending singing helicopter. Many years ago they gave Mitchial a garbage truck that would start crushing garbage in the middle of the night. Freaky! Now we have a helicopter that starts singing with no one around. Love it!
I don't know who loves Bella's first baby doll more, her or her mom. It is a red headed preemie just like her, only she doesn't smell like powder. I didn't know cabbage patch dolls "smelled". Ian said his always did:) Uh oh now it's not a secret anymore. Sorry Ian. It was a wonderful holiday. Our best present is that Guy has a week off work!!! Yeah. I can't get enough of that present!!

And when December goes.......

2008-12-27T22:57:00.000-08:00

There is a song titled When October goes, written by Johnny Mercer. The song talks about the passing of October, kids running in the evening light, watching planes go overhead and thinking of the fun that he had when he was one of them. When October goes his same dream appears and he thinks of all the happy years, then he turns his head to hide the helpless tears. Ok I know it is sappy but I am feeling the sadness of December and all of 2008 leaving. I don't want to forget things that happened this year, the good and the bad. Sometimes I don't want change, I don't want to move on. I know it is silly, but this holiday season I feel like a young child again. I loved the anticipation of thanksgiving. I loved having a excuse to eat food I don't usually get to eat. I loved having a reason to get together with the family. I think my favorite part comes when it is time to put up the tree. Even as a little girl I was the first one to start nagging my parents about the Christmas tree. I still haven't changed, except now I can just start setting things up and my husband has no choice but to follow behind helping. Anyway I am feeling the sadness of the passing of 2008. When I was little I was sad because I had nothing to look forward to after Christmas. I am trying not to feel that way now, but this year I am leaving behind the birth of my first baby girl. The birth of my last child. The passing of my mother. I know I still have memories but I am afraid of them fading. Will I remember how little Bella was? Will I remember all the stories of my mom? Will I be able to teach Bella how to make bread like my mom? What if I mess up who will help me? I already feel like I am forgetting my moms voice, her smile,even though I think of her daily.How can I help my kids remember my memories? I am sorry for carrying on, but an new year is coming and December is going.

Our Christmas card!!

2008-12-25T22:51:00.000-08:00

What a cute family....except big mamma! J/K We were lucky enough to get a photo shoot with Alana Lange! She is great! She has to be, she is my sister in law.
Alana did all the work and gave me the cd to take to walmart to be printed. It's so easy she told me. Not. I couldn't get the computer at walmart to work(surprise, surprise me the computer tech) so the photo lady said she would help and to come back in a few minutes to see how the first one printed out. Great. That was easy. After a few minutes she calls me up to the front of the line and said " here you go. Are you sure you want 3o of them." She then hands me a 8x10 of our card. People around me laughed when I told her I couldn't send Christmas cards out in manila envelopes. Luckily I came home and called Alana and she fixed everything. I think she is learning it is just easier to do things herself than give me the responsibility:) Hey I can't be perfect in everything!!

The night before Christmas.....

2008-12-25T22:00:00.001-08:00

We have a tradition, passed down from Guy's dad, to read The night before Christmas. It is always a touching moment to hear Guy tell the boys about his Dad coming home all dressed in his police gear to read the story and then head off to work again. I love to see the boys watch their daddy read to them. Ok so the picture is staged a little. Ok alot. Timothy was running around like a crazy boy asking when Santa was coming and Ian didn't want to sit on the floor. Mitchial didn't want to sit by Samuel because he was wiggly. So after I threatened them to sit still or I would call Santa, they all sat for a good 2 pictures. After the story we put out the magic reindeer food and they were off to bed. What a great Christmas eve. Timothy came down every 5 minutes and asked if Santa was here yet. It was so cute for the first 4 times, then after 45 minutes it got old:) He eventually did fall asleep but then at midnight Mitch and Sam had to get up for a potty break. Good thing Santa hadn't come yet. I love Christmas.

Family Parties!

2008-12-25T22:00:00.000-08:00

What a fun time to be with families! The top pictures are of my Dad and Bella at my brothers house. We had wonderful pork salads/burritos and played some fun games. The unwrapping the candy bar game was hard for the young ones to catch on. They all were sad when the gloves were taken away with the candy bar, but they quickly learned to stay away from the older "kids". So I was told to bring some non useful toys for white elephant gifts. Great I thought, I have got armless army men, cars with only one wheel, a collection of the junk toys that no matter how many times you throw them away, they are always on the floor or in the tub. Well we start the game and are the only ones with junk, no one wanted to trade for our gifts:) Oh well we had fun. We came home with a puzzle, a glass pumpkin bag with used Dracula teeth in it!

The next pictures are of the Stones gathering...minus Guy's sister's family who were too cheap to fly out for a couple days:) j/k We missed you Newcomer's. Guy's brother was nice enough to have it at his house. The blurry picture is of the cousins. (sorry Guy had the camera;) There was so much yummy treats to eat. Thanks Kelly. We are so thankful for our families.

What not to wear shooting!!

2008-12-18T13:25:00.001-08:00

This is where fashion gets in the way, either you lose your pants and keep aim on your target, or pause to pull up your britches. I know, why not wear pants that fit! If I knew what I was doing I would put the music "I'm too sexy" along with the video! What's funny is I don't think Ian hit the target after his adjustment! love ya Ian

Thankgiving shootout!

2008-12-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

My side of the family is from Wyoming...therefore they like to shoot things up:) After Thanksgiving dinner (while the ladies cleaned) my dad headed up the pack of boys, and my sister, to pick up some bottles for shooting practice. They all had so much fun. Alana and I had a great time at home...baby sleeping...eating pie!! The men were a little upset to come home and find us already eating pie. The top picture is of my brother Bret and his son Aaron. The video is of Ian.

Happy 40th Alana!!

2008-12-13T13:47:00.000-08:00

I am lucky enough to have a great sister in law, Alana. She is the one on the right of my dad(sitting) dressed in a black and white dress. So beautiful. Throughout my life she has always been there. She would always welcome me in her home, no matter what time or what she had going on. She was also the one to first cut the "lion mane" of hair I had. She was the first to color my hair which I am forever addicted. I can't count the times she has helped and blessed my life. I am thankful my brother was smart enough to not let her go. I remember when they first got married, our family would play tricks on her just to make sure she was strong enough to be in our family. The first night they stayed at our house we lined empty pop cans on the head board of their bed, at least 20 of them. We then told her stories of mice running around in the night. To make her fears worse we pointed out places we have seen them(in the closet of the room they were staying) . We then placed dryer lint shaped into mice all over. I mean in every nook and cranny. We stayed up late into the night making scurrying noises on the walls. We were so mean. Sorry Alana, but you passed the test. We decided to keep you forever!! Thanks for being my sister I love you Jill

Talent scouts watch out!!!

2008-12-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

Last night was Mitchial's 1st piano recital! How exciting! I helped him practice right before we dressed him in his Christmas sweater and bow tie. He was so handsome. You all probably have experienced the evil demon that sneaks into your house as you are getting everyones shoes and coats on. For some reason the demon thinks it is funny to hide one shoe, someones coat, or in our house opens the door for the youngest to run out into the yard yelling at the top of his lungs. As I am yelling that no one should mess up their newly combed and hairsprayed hair, I feel a cold gust of air. I knew what had happened even before I went downstairs, the demon lured all my boys outside(without coats on). No amount of deep breathing calms the rush of getting somewhere on time. So after I put the sleeping baby into her carseat, she immediatly starts screaming. Of course. Why not. It's not like I had to bathe her at the last minute because she barfed all over her and me. So I am now standing in the doorway, in my new clean shirt, baby screaming and me yelling at the demon children to get in the car NOW!! Hopefully the neighbors mistook my yelling for caroling, or maybe they are just used to it by now. I finally get the doors to the house closed and all the children in the car when the piano boy realizes he doesn't have his piano book. Perfect. I ask where he had it last and get met by a blank look. Luckily I found it in record time and was on the road with 10 minutes to spare. As I am driving I hear from the back seat "Timothy get back in your carseat there is a cop behind us." Nice. So what do I do, pull over and make it obvious that one isn't buckeled up or yell for them to sit and act like all is well. I opted for the latter. When I turned into the church parking lot , the so called police car passed by and it wasn't even a cop. All that sweating for nothing. Thanks boys. Now I notice there is only a couple cars at the church and think that is funny that we are one of the first to be there. I get everyone in the church when Mitchial informs me he thinks this is the wrong church. What the heck. Timothy is already running half way around the church when I start yelling to get back into the car. In the mean time Guy calls me and asks where I am. I tell him we are at the stake center and without thinking he asks ....."why did you go there?". I didn't even answer. Needless to say we finally get to the right church and walk in trying to pretend all is well. As we walk in to the room everyone turns and looks at the Stones family with an impatient look. Of course they were waiting on us. Without crying I blurted out, "we went to the wrong church, ok?". After all the chaous Mitchial did a great job! We are so prould of him. Good thing recitals are only once a year. Oh yeah the picture of the feet was taken by Samuel who insists that he didn't play with the camera. Proof is in the pudding son. Next time he doesn't play with the camera he should take a picture of someone else's feet:)

Happy 40th Birthday Bret!!!!

2008-12-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday Big brother. Bret....what to say about someone who has done just about everything. He is a daredevil, fisherman, a good father,a great brother and friend. I love my brother and am thankful for his life and all he has overcome. He is a good example of just keep trying! I am thankful for all he and his wife(Alana) have done for my parents. I think my fear of snakes came from this fearless brother of mine. He would catch snakes as tall as he was, and of course chase me with them. Gross. In the pictures Bret is holding our niece and the other one is with me(big and prego) Alana and Bret and the back part of Cory's head. I love you Bret!!

Santa baby!!

2008-12-08T22:16:00.000-08:00

We are having so much fun with a baby girl. The boys don't leave her alone!! Tonight the boys were sad to go to bed, so I told them a special guest was coming to see them if they hurried and brushed their teeth and got in bed. I surprised them with a Santa baby!! Samuel said her ears stick out like a elf, but I fixed that by tucking them under her headband! We had so much fun playing with her that bedtime was late. Oh well.

Do not Laugh!!

2008-12-07T21:30:00.000-08:00

Alright I am really starting to feel dumb. Who said blogging was easy? I guess it doesn't help to have Ian making fun of me. Maybe it is because I was up till 3am getting ready for family and friends to come over after the blessing. Today was a great day. Isabella was so good. She didn't even throw up on her blessing dress. I am so thankful that my Dad and brothers Bret (and his family), Cory (and his family), and Jason were able to come today. We also were lucky enough to have Guy's mom, his sister Nikki (and her family), his brotherMatt (and his family) make it too. I made a huge batch of homemade chicken and noodle soup, a batch of potato bacon soup, and a corn chowder. There were homemade rolls from Kelly, brownies, cake, salad(which gave you terrible onion breathe:) , frog eye salad, and cookies. At the end of the day there was only a few crumbs of brownie on the carpet, 1 small bowl of corn chowder and a half eaten roll. I think that means it was a success. It was so fun to be with family and friends. I missed my mom so much this week as I shopped for frilly socks and a headband for Bella. When I first found out I was having a girl, my mom and I talked about everything we would do. Make her dress, find her shoes but most of all just be together with our baby Bella. I tried to bribe my mom in getting better so she would be well enough to get out of the nursing home and come to the blessing. Every time I would visit her we would add to our plans and get excited for the future. Even when she was dying I would put her hand on my belly to feel Bella kick. I tried everything to get her to stay, but she was too sick. I felt cheated that I didn't get my mom anymore. This week I was even mad at her for leaving me and that I had to go shopping by myself. But today as I dressed my baby, I knew my mom was there. Bella was smiling and talking, just happy as a peach. I knew that she was talking to Grandma. Later at church I thought I would be a mess, but I was surprised to feel calm and peaceful. I didn't feel sad. Just happy. I am thankful for eternal families. I know my mom loves me and is watching over her granddaughter. Love you forever mom!!

Baby Bella's Blessing

2008-12-07T21:08:00.000-08:00

We are starting the pictures from the end of the day because I still cannot figure out how to post. Arrgghhh! So this is sweet little Timothy. He was sent up to bed early. Why you ask. Look at the next picture.

That used to be our sliding glass door. While everyone was eating after church, Timothy decided to play outside with his cousins. That was just fine until his cousins came in and Timothy didn't. He used a hammer to knock on the door and whamo! I heard yelling and looked out to see Timothy fall to the ground crying. When we picked him up all he would say is " no one would let me in". Poor thing.

Sweet Bella!!

Just keep trying!

2008-12-03T15:05:00.000-08:00

Ok, my first attempt at posting pictures didn't really work out. I previewed my blog before publishing it and the pictures and writing matched up perfectly. I then post my blog and somehow it gets messed up. Oh well. I will keep trying!

Happy 32nd Birthday Coco Puff!!

2008-12-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

This is how I spent my childhood, trying to make Cory stop crying.

There he is...my little brother. Just imagine him riding his yellow and black hot wheel down the sidewalk wearing his night jogger (not night rider) jacket. Good times!

Here are the super stars. Cory is second on the right.

Imbarressing? Yes. But at least my little brother was in the picture with me! (3rd on the right) Thanks for dressing up Cory!
Happy birthday little brother! Can't think of life without you. Thanks for the good times, love you!

2008-11-29T23:18:00.000-08:00

Alright, I am home and trying to blog by myself. My patient sister in law not only let us stay at her house for 2 1/2 days, she took the time to set up a blog for me. Now the hard part is remembering all the things she said to do, and in order. My nephews watched as their mom explained the workings of blogging, at one point I think they started to laugh at their pathetic aunt Jill. Well no longer, I will show them how smart I am. Well maybe next week!! Thanks Alana for all your help. Look for pictures soon!